Problems with Quick-Money-Making Websites

Money can be a great motivating factor so much so that many are easily lured in to join sites offering quick earnings. Testimonials grace the portal making them legit and believable. A simple check on these sites will reveal a cult following. However, as one begins to immerse in the site's intricacies, one slowly learns the simple and painful truth: this is just another scam or another information pooling system. Being a skeptic, I have tried and learned my lesson the hard way. My reason for writing this piece is to help those who are interested or have the tendency to be easily lured in by giving critical personal information to these sites in the guise of making them a little richer.

Say no to CAPTCHA typing

These sites lure people to join by stating that idle time can be turned into a money-making scheme. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN. Typing Captcha is really time-consuming especially if one is not really good at reading the images or figures given. The most horrific catch is that a single dollar, yet that is right, a single USD is equal to 1000 Captcha entries. I have tried typing as fast as I can with reasonably fast Internet access and an equally fast laptop but I can only make around 100 entries in 2 hours. That means in an 8-hour work, I can barely make a dollar. Just wow, right? Sadly, these sites have errands to demand before one gets to 'encash so you better be ready for these errands.

Surveys that Suddenly Time Out

Another scheme is the Survey sites which offer slightly higher pay rates to the Captcha but for a longer and more serious tone. Again, these sites will lure you into stating that idle time will give you money so read well. How this work is that after logging in, one becomes a member with all your personal information plus specific data about likes and wants, interests, whims, and even choices over the weekends. The information these sites collect is highly personal and more for personal profiling with the hope of matching client research participant profiles to the kind of research topic/subject they have, want, or need. However, in the nearly one month of experience that I have been on more than 10 sites, I have only successfully made 2 surveys and these have earned me less than 10 USD. Why? Well, it is simple. They trick people into joining and participants are lured to answer the research questions but in the final closing minutes, they suddenly state that you are not just the participant they need or the site suddenly enters into suspended animation especially if a smartphone is the platform used or was preferred by the client. All the painstaking answering, reading, and following instructions are suddenly gone for nothing. I have personally experienced these things so many times I have lost count. So my verdict, surveys are a total NO-NO.

Transcription Work (Voice-to-Text Conversion)

YouTube posts have many clicks and comments clamoring about how to get signed in and start the cash cow from making the 'greens.' But this is one harsh reality that one must realize: if you can transcribe a minute of conversation perfectly complete with either time stamps or additional background sound, you get paid 0.60 - 0.75 USD. Take note that the conversations are done usually with background sound or with varying volumes of the voices to the point of almost being unrecognizable to regular hearing. Getting a low mark for your work also means getting out of the worker roster so even if the voices are hardly recognizable, you will continually listen over and over burning the hours. In the end, a minute of transcription translates to so much wasted time. Oh, and this requires so much attention; not an idle job to earn money for people who have little time and noisy houses or surroundings.

The Problem with the Owner of YouTube sites

The people who promote these easy-money-making sites are not being honest in the first place. They only talk about the methodology of how they make money while using the sites but they rarely or avoid talking about how to get in first. In fact, this was the first problem only to learn that those who give referrals are the ones who either get paid, get a bonus, or get better projects. Note that giving or finding referrals is difficult and one luring you in has to make sure that the secret to getting in fast is not revealed without a price. Later still, a closer look will reveal that the scheme is pyramiding or those who got in early and have given or lured in many referrals make much money at the work of those who got in late. These things are guarded well not to be known to potential recruits or referrals.

So which Ones Offer Real Work and Money?

The freelance writing sites do...but entering these sites is just a living nightmare. It is really difficult to secure a slot to enter because they use software applications to check your own written work (which I consider is the only real test since all other tests can be found on the Internet). Other sites include tutoring sites that require good scholastic background or more on the call center/BPO background.

Hope these inputs can help in making sure that time is not wasted especially when you really need money ASAP...and the Internet is your choice.

The Best Thing to DO

Judging from personal experience, it is best to create a profile and have your resume and credentials/skills available on the following websites: Freelancer, Upwork, or OnlineJobs. These sites do the searching for you instead of you doing all the effort in looking and searching for possible jobs. Another source of my job offers come from LinkedIn. The connections or contacts often offer me real jobs and most payments are rewarding in comparison to the other sites which take a chunk out of the client contract you will get to have per project. Just make sure that your profile is enticing so much so that connections and companies will spend time looking at your profile and your skills or qualifications. Good luck!

The Tech Necessities for the Job

With the popularity of home-based online jobs, more and more are wanting to transition from the corporate world or regular 8 am to 5 pm work schedule into the comfort-of-home employment. However, I would want those who would try venturing in they should at least have the following for an easy and sure win-win situation following the jump back home.

First, they have to know how to impress possible employers online by studying the basic profile presentations and sample cover letters designed for Upwork, Onlinejobs, or even LinkedIn. There are plenty of YouTube videos dedicated to giving you a walk-through for this.

Second, spend some money on quality technology needed for the job. I have been using my Acer convertible tablet to netbook since 2015 and it is really reliable. The great thing about this unit is that the perennial blackouts during the summer and even power outages during the typhoon months do not hinder my work. It lasts for more than 6 hours now (it originally last for 8 hours) and that duration is really a great help. I only need a 10,000mah Romoss power bank which can recharge it three times. This setup is a magnificent blessing for me especially when I need to work while on the road or in remote locations.

Third, get a good telecom provider both for your smartphone and at your place. A steady stream of a sure and reliable Internet provider is the lifeblood of the online industry. No connection means no opportunity to make money so be sure to invest in this. I have an unlimited Globe Internet plan on my smartphone which allows me to connect my Acer tablet/netbook whenever necessary. I pay a monthly fee of only Php 1,500 or $30 and I can use it to tether.

Lastly, make sure that your data are constantly saved by you having multiple backup systems of your files. I use Google Docs for all of my communications and submissions. I also have a large 128GB Samsung micro memory card in my smartphone as another backup for my important files should my Acer tablet/netbook gets compromised or malfunction.

All of these can definitely help you in your effort to find the best online job. Remember that you cannot engage in the work you desire unless you already have the necessary tech for it.

Hope this will help you and good luck!

FAQs for YOU!

1. Which are the most reliable and time-tested sites which will offer me real possible online home-based jobs? I got my offers from LinkedIn, Onlinejobs, Freelancer, and Upwork.

2. What should I do to guarantee that I will not have to wait long for a job offer? You have to register to the sites in #1 and make an impressive but truthful profile. Watch the walk-through on writing and sending short but powerful application letters, interests, and cover letters. Also, periodically visit your email to answer possible job offers.

3. How do I know that the offer is legit? I personally research the site or possible employer's information to see if the company is legit. Forums on such are also important to visit so you can test the waters if you will take the offer or not. Mostly, however, if the offer is too good to be true, stay away from it as it may just be another money laundering scam or phishing strategy.

4. How long should I wait before I give up my hopes of finding a real online job which will make me permanently leave my regular job? I would ask you to first find part-time jobs online before venturing into the 'jump.' I had mine since 2007 but I finally decided to work home-based back in 2017. In those 10 years, I have had many part-time jobs, and their payment range from measly to handsomely. It is up to you to do the waiting decision but get a part-time job first so you know what it is like working at home.

5. What is the worst problem in working home-based online? Since there is no real security of tenure as contracts are usually informal, you must have multiple backup solutions should one client or employer suddenly decides to terminate your contract. Online jobs are also heavily dependent on technology such as the Internet, electricity, gadgets, devices, etc. Any malfunctions from any of these technologies will stall your work and may even be the reason for the termination of a contract. This is the reason why I strongly advise spending money on the items I mentioned in the Tech Necessities For You segment of this article.

Hope these will help you in your desire to transition. Good luck and happy hunting!