The National Center for Education Statistics noted that in the fall of 2019 just over a quarter of all post-secondary students were enrolled in some kind of distance education course, whether in conjunction with a campus-based class or exclusively online. Considering the recent pandemic and social distancing in 2020, an online “job” is an attractive option. It, therefore, seems only natural that earning money over the internet could be the next logical step. Jobs such as writing, design, data entry, and teaching appear to be more obvious fits in an online environment, but what happens when a potential web-based worker doesn’t fit into those particular boxes? Well, the Internet is VAST and there is room enough for everyone!
The following list features 10 moneymaking opportunities that might not initially spring to mind when considering an online job opportunity!
VIRTUAL JUROR
Picture a jury and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is a panel of individuals inside a large courtroom, complete with judge, defendant, plaintiff, and lawyers. But, before those lawyers even set foot inside a courtroom, they may now have the option of having their case reviewed by virtual jurors, or “mock juries,” over the Internet. A virtual juror need only be a U.S. citizen over 18 years old, and they essentially read through a given case summary and offer their opinion to the relevant attorney online. Based on the size of the documents involved – and the website they’re serving – virtual jurors might spend 20 minutes to an hour reviewing a given case and get paid anywhere from $20 to $60 per case for their input on it. Attorney Harold English believes that “no significant settlement decisions should be made without [an eJury].” OnlineVerdict.com and eJury
RENTED FRIEND
“I now have an endless supply of people to contact to go with me to the movies,” says Steve from Arizona, a happy customer of the website RentAFriend.com. Indeed, the site boasts over 200,000 potential friends from which to choose, with each one charging between $10 and $50 an hour for the pleasure of their company. And, it’s not just the movie theater, either. Rented friends can be hired for anything from a local shopping trip or a session at the gym to going to a family wedding or even writing thank you notes. No qualifications are needed, and rest assured that this is a purely “platonic friendship” service, with buddies only available for “friendly activities.” Due to the world-changing Coronavirus pandemic, RentAFriend is currently offering “Virtual Friend Services” such as ZOOM, Phone Friends, Facetime, Texting, Penpals, and more!
VIRTUAL GOLF INSTRUCTOR
Job search databases such as Flexjobs.com will track down accommodating opportunities for any prospective online job seeker, but few could be expecting to become a work-from-home golf instructor. Surprisingly, it’s actually quite simple: golfers – from beginners to veterans – looking to better their game can use a website like FixYourGame.com to upload a video recording of a particular aspect of their game for analysis by a remote instructor. Feedback is delivered swiftly and can take the form of video commentary as well as emailed tips and advice. FixYourGame.com charges $25.00 per single, online golf lesson and $35.00 for a Phone/Skype consultation AND they have a money-back guarantee!
eMYSTERY SHOPPER
Since the 1940s, watchdog groups and businesses have hired mystery shoppers to gauge the caliber of service and adherence to regulations and protocol, among other things. Nowadays, industry leader Marketforce.com has access to some 300,000 U.S. agents alone. Moreover, although this general phenomenon is itself nothing especially new, it seems to work well in today’s partially anonymous world of e-commerce. Set-ups like eMysteryShopper – which only employs U.K. residents as its “secret agents” – have taken the tried and true mystery shopper concept online. Paid shoppers assist in observing and evaluating websites and submitting accounts of their browsing experiences, the returns procedures, general user-friendliness, and the strength of the customer service. How? Via online surveys and videos. Plus, it’s not just shops; participants are compensated for contributing to forums and focus groups, too. Shoppers can expect to be paid at month’s end for any amount they earn above the minimum $25.
TELEHEALTH NURSE
According to the website, health.costhelper.com, patients spend on a scale of $150-$3,000 for a trip to the emergency room, depending upon the severity of the reason for the visit, reaching upwards of 20K. However, virtual/telehealth nursing services can provide an alternative to the traditional ER – and one that may not only end up being more cost-effective but also open up a raft of new online jobs. Services like Carenet offer around-the-clock remote nursing support for healthcare organizations, boasting a staff of qualified nurses available over the internet as well as by SMS and voice calls. The primary qualifications needed in order to become a virtual or online nurse include being a certified RN or registered nurse and experience with virtual nursing technology. Typically, to become an RN requires an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing and a state license. Telehealth nurses can expect to make around $30 an hour working full-time and are required to perform tasks such as diagnoses, triage, and medical support. Carenet’s official website claims that only 35 percent of its customers end up in the ER.
PERSONAL STYLIST
Online shopping has always been a popular source for retail merchandising, especially in this day and time. As online shopping is on the rise, it still is not the same as going into a dressing room, trying on an outfit for size or color, and walking out with the product in your hand. How can an online shopper get a good look and the most for their money? An online personal stylist is the answer! If you have a genuine interest in helping others in this way, then a position as an online personal stylist is for you. As a virtual stylist, you can help define your client’s style and make suggestions about what sort of clothing and accessories fits their body the best and at a price that they can afford. A personal stylist must be a good communicator, an excellent listener, and aware of body types and fit, as well as the current trends. Where can you find virtual stylist jobs? One of the most popular websites offering stylist jobs is Stitch Fix. A stylist’s pay starts at $14 per hour and increases to between $15-$20 per hour after a year and is also dependent on the number of clients you have. This position requires at least 15 hours per week of your time.
VOCAL COACH
Richard Fink IV describes himself as a “celebrity vocal coach,” and he can boast having worked with clients who’ve performed on stages across the globe and been on national TV. For over 12 years, he has been instructing the general public using online communication technology such as Skype and iChat, enabling him to reach clients just about anywhere. But, voice training is not just the domain of more high-profile instructors like Fink. Vocal Coach websites are getting in on the act and earning money through PayPal with the help of little more than a webcam and a microphone.
HAIR SELLER
It’s a strange concept, but it’s oh so simple. Hair for sale. Sellers usually fasten their still-attached tresses into a tight ponytail, snip that off, slip it inside a plastic bag and then send it to a company that will make them an offer for it. With human hair coming in handy for fixing and constructing wigs, hairpieces, and hair extensions, there are plenty of eager buyers, too. Naturally, it’s more of an occasional gig. However, it’s still possible to earn close to $350 a go selling human hair that’s 19 inches in length or longer to traditional companies like London, England-based Bloomsbury Wigs – via its hairharvest.co.uk website. On auction-style sites such as BuyandSellHair.com, hair traders can even set their own prices. And aside from such hair-for-cash schemes, there’s also a philanthropic possibility: donating hair to cancer patients.
VIRTUAL CONCIERGE
“Tracy is my angel,” beamed satisfied customer Claire Haas, following her experiences using myvirtualconcierge.co.uk. Such online remote concierges can find themselves doing anything from larger tasks, like bookkeeping or event-planning, for time-strapped businesses, to running smaller errands for individuals, such as watching the house or collecting the kids. The work is diverse, and social networking tools like Twitter are said to be helpful for gaining clients. Platforms including Skype and Google Talk are used for communications, while PayPal facilitates online payments. Usually, there are no specific qualifications needed to be an effective concierge; just good organizational skills and a host of more general relatable qualities. Virtual concierges may charge by the hour – earning anywhere from $20 to $75.
FITNESS COACH
Web-based personal trainers are quietly becoming the next big thing, so now could be the perfect time for coaches slogging away in a hot gym to make the leap online. Earning potential depends on the trainer and can also range dramatically subject to the length and nature of the programs. Communication takes place predominantly via email, initial assessments are usually carried out in the form of online questionnaires, and the coaching itself may include videos and phone advice. There are, however, drawbacks for clients – the obvious one being that their trainer is not physically present – but it does work, with one woman claiming to have lost 87 pounds thanks to guidance from FitOrbit. The virtual experience is closer to traditional methods than one might assume, so an experienced coach should find it easy to transfer their skills online. That said, it is suggested that would-be digital trainers complete 12 to 24 months of face-to-face coaching prior to making the move into virtual. Not to mention the money you can make as a fitness YouTuber!