*Duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duuuuhhh!* *fanfare continues*
Yay! The last part of my series on internet income! I've had a great time finding a simple and concise way to summarize the best ways I know how to make some beer money. I'm just hoping my experience will be a great tool for someone who is hanging on, or just wants to tuck money away for a rainy day, or even just to buy that Amazon Echo they've been eyeing. I'm sure I'll find more inventive and profitable ways to scrounge up some income from the internet. Everyone needs some help with a project, sometimes. It's all about finding those people who need you. I will keep chugging along, and keep refining the original list. Here goes with the last part:
Swagbucks:
This program is another popular one that I'm sure most people in the business of finding online work are familiar with. As far as these kinds of sites go, I would venture to say that Swagbucks is among the very best. It offers videos, surveys, sign up offers, a search feature, coupons, sweepstakes, live trivia, games, and their own version of bingo, called Swago. There is a small amount of surveys, but there seems no end to the videos and offers. There are no caps on video watching, as far as I can tell. There are promos on offers from certain affiliates intermittently and they are pretty generous. Their social media offers bonus Swagbucks several times a day. They also have several apps exclusively for live trivia, videos, and surveys/receipts. There's a daily check list, and if you complete certain tasks, you get extra SBs (Swagbucks-the site's currency). I always find something to do on this site.
The minimum payout is 200 SBs, which is equal to $2.00. You can redeem the lowest amounts for data credits from Verizon and AT&T. Amazon and Dunkin Donuts start at 300 SBs which are equal to $3.00. There are lots of different gift cards from Starbucks, Macy's, Sam's Club, etc. There are also options for Virtual Visa gift cards, and PayPal, which starts at $25.00. There are always discounts for gift cards too, which is a nice little incentive.
Since I started actively using Swagbucks two months ago, I've made $50.00. It hasn't felt like I've had to make a big effort to earn, especially concerning the videos. The videos available on the browser site will just keep streaming on autoplay. You typically earn 1 or 2 SB, depending on amount of videos and length of playlist. I've made about 5 SB in an hour. It's not much, but compared to InstaGC, it's decent. This is the easiest passive income I've come across. This is another program that I would highly recommend. The only negative I can say is that when you redeem a Visa card specifically, there is a few days wait after to receive your reward. This is definitely in my top 3. There is a referral program in place, although I'm not sure what they are offering for sign up bonuses these days. It was 100 SB when I first started. To try this site out, check this:
Swagbucks Referral Code
UserTesting:
UserTesting is by far the most profitable of the sources I've tried. This is a program that helps companies test websites, apps, and software by providing them "Users" to try out their products. There is an application process, a demographics profile, and a trial test to determine whether an applicant is eligible to participate. After your first test, there is a one week waiting period in which you can't do any other tests. Once you receive the results of the first test, which UserTesting employees have graded, you will get paid and find out if you have what it takes to continue on the platform. The process of testing goes like this: you log into your dashboard, and opportunities to test pop up. You take a survey to see if you qualify. If you qualify, and it's your first time, you need to download a screen recorder provided to you free of charge. You also must give the recorder access to your microphone, and on rare occasions, your webcam or phone camera. While looking at the website or program the tester gives you to review, you must keep giving commentary. There are questions provided on the interface, and some you type in and others you just talk. Even when you type, you need to talk, and answer with your voice. Constant commentary is a must with this site. Most tests take 20 minutes. I've had ones as short as 10 minutes and ones as long as 30 minutes. The site gives testers the chance to rate you out of five stars, or provide comments. It doesn't seem to be mandatory, because I've only been rated on a few tests. The whole process is done remotely.
There is no minimum payout. You normally get paid $10.00 for completing a test, but there are opportunities to participate in live 60 minute interviews over the phone or video conference, which you will get paid $60.00. You receive payment through PayPal, exactly a week to the minute after a test is completed. So far, I've never had a payment be late and I've always gotten paid for any test I completed.
Since I took my first test a month ago, I've made $115.00 ($5.00 was a reimbursement for a test that failed to upload, but I had completed). Like I said, this has been the most lucrative of all the ventures I've tried. It seems, from what I've read, that availability of surveys you're able take depends on your demographics and survey qualification answers. I probably get approved for 10% of the tests I try to qualify for. The convenient thing about this program is that you can use your computer, and there's an app available. It operates on Android phones and tablets, but I'm not sure about iPhones, since I don't own one. There seems to be tests that you can take on your tablet, but when there's one available on the site and I check my tablet, it never shows up. Only phone tests show up on my tablet. This is my only complaint about this site, and it's so minor, that it doesn't even faze me. This is my number one choice for internet income, hands down. If my experience with this site stays this way, I don't see that changing, unless something better comes along. I just don't see that happening. Unfortunately, there is no referral program at this time, but if you have the right set of skills and qualifications, it's not necessary.
Respondent:
This site works very similarly to UserTesting. The differences are that there are less surveys, and the application process for tests is more specific. The application process consists of signing up with your email, and completing a profile with your demographics. You take surveys to determine whether you qualify for a study or not. When you finish a survey, a percentage is shown that shows how qualified you are for the test. You don't take the test right away. You have to wait for the respondent to choose you. The surveys consist of two to twenty plus questions. The test process will vary, ranging from testing websites, focus groups, in person studies, in home studies, long term diaries, product testing, etc. The length of study and pay also vary. The studies can range from five minutes to four hours. Sometimes the longer studies are broken up in to different parts. The pay ranges from $5.00 to over $300.00. The high paying tests require someone in a specialized profession or with a very specific hobby.
There is no minimum payout. Respondent charges a fee of 5% or a $1.00 minimum. You receive payment through PayPal. Respondents can message you on the platform and you receive a text or email when you are picked for a test. Approval to participate is communicated at an undetermined time. Once you finish the test, the respondent has to approve the test, then you have to be more proactive to keep in contact with them to receive your payment. Once your payment is approved, it takes about a week to receive. I am not a fan of how erratic this process is. I feel I can trust I will get paid, but when I get paid is more my concern.
I have only participated in one test. It was a 20 minute website test with commentary (just like UserTesting), and I received $20.00 (minus the site's fee). I have taken lots of surveys, and I've only been approved once. When a survey you answered is no longer available, it will disappear from your dashboard. I have some surveys from a year ago still sitting there, and I have high percentages of qualifications. The site isn't very transparent on this selection process. I am going to investigate further. The program is legitimate, as far as receiving payment goes though. There is a referral program. If you'd like to sign up and see if you have better luck than I, click this link: Respondent Referral Code.
Upwork:
Upwork is different from the others I've tried. It's a network for freelancers, and clients and agencies looking for freelancers. There are all sorts of jobs available. There are listings for customer service, technical support, writing, coding, editing, marketing, and I've even seen warehouse jobs, although those kind of jobs are very rare. Basically, any white collar job with contracts, instead of regular employment, is available here. As a freelancer, you must apply and be accepted to use the platform. This consists of a questionnaire about your work experience and skills. I was accepted within 24 hours, and I don't have as much experience with the work that is offered on the site, which is encouraging. As a new freelancer, you start off with a free membership but can upgrade. With the free account, you receive 20 "connects" for free to start. You use "connects" to submit proposals to job listings. Depending on the scope of the project, and expertise needed, the amount of connects varies. Most of the jobs I've submitted to were two connects, which seems to be the lowest amount to bid. You can search for projects by keywords or filtering by length of project, rate of pay and frequency of pay, expertise level (entry level, intermediate level, and expert level), whether the client is verified, and so on. You must fill out a profile and specify your skills so clients can gauge your ability to do the work you propose. There are also specialized profiles you can put together, in case you have a few different types of skills. You can also take tests to show your proficiency in lots of different topics. You have the choice to display these results on your profile page. If you score 80% or above, I would definitely recommend posting them. I'm not sure what the waiting period is for retakes, if you're unhappy with your grade, but you can redo any test.
There is no minimum payout. You can receive payment through direct deposit, wire transfer, or PayPal (there are fees associated with this one). Upwork works as the middle man between you and your client. All funds for projects are filtered through Upwork, and your are paid by Upwork. At the beginning, their share is 20%, and you receive 80% of the project pay. Their cut goes down, the more money you make over time. Project pay varies, as well as contract lengths, etc. You and your client enter in to a contract, whenever you submit a proposal and bid and are accepted for the job. Clients can also invite a freelancer but the freelancer still has to submit a proposal. You communicate with your client through chat, and you receive a preset amount of milestones. Each milestone may have a dollar value, and when you finish that milestone, you receive payment for it. Payments take a couple of days to post, and another couple of days to withdraw to your chosen payment method. There is also an option for auto deposit, but you must have a minimum of $100.00 and you have to designate a certain day of the week. You must also fill out a tax form as an independent contractor to participate. This site has good security and there is a 2 step verification process in place.
As far as my own experience using this platform, it has had mixed results. I have submitted eight proposals to clients who advertised, and received one invite from one that reached out to me. Of the eight proposals I've submitted, I was hired by three clients. Two were for product testing and the other was for writing a few blurbs. I have so far finished the first product test, and that was a positive experience. And I have worked with the third client on a few different short writing jobs. She has contacted me a few times for new work, and my experience with her has been great. It's sporadic, but she's reliable. The second product test is scheduled for July, so I have no insight into that project, as far as execution. As far as the communication, the client has been very communicative. The chat feature works as expected, and I've had no problems. When it comes to being accepted or not to do a project, that's where my negative input comes in. It's just a bummer to be rejected, you know? That's not so much a criticism, but I'll admit it's frustrating.
With all the security measures, proposals, contracts, invites, and vetting process, this is a nice way to do a little work in a specialized skill. The negatives are that you have to bid for work, and you have no idea what the other freelancers are bidding (unless you pony up the dough for a premium membership). The commission fee, as well as having a limited amount of bids to use, and having to pay $1.50 for 10 contacts, if you're using the free membership, is discouraging. I've made $40.00 so far. Part of that went to pay for the product to test (but ultimately the product was free), and the survey for it took less than five minutes to complete. I provided seven short write-ups, which took less than two hours and I earned $20. If you have an in demand skill or degree, and want to work as an independent contractor, I would recommend using this service. If you get more projects, than rejections, I would suggest going for a premium membership. I believe it's under $20.00 a month, and if you're making a considerable amount, that doesn't seem too steep. Unfortunately there is no referral program in place, except for word of mouth.
Yahoo Play:
Disclaimer: I am currently in a dispute over an alleged terms of service violation with Yahoo. I will be as fair as I can with this review though.
This program rewards you for watching pop culture short clips, voting, and playing trivia. You receive a certain amount of points per clip, vote, and correct answer. You trade your points for gift cards, and the cards change each week, and sometimes each day. There is a two offer limit every week. Every 1500 points is roughly equal to a $5.00 gift card. Your points reset every week, so you need to redeem them before they expire. Also, you can only earn a maximum of 5000 points a day. This program is only available on the app. You must have a Yahoo email account. You can only have one Yahoo Play account, even if you have multiple email accounts and can only use the app on one device. You can have more accounts and use other devices, but you won't receive points.
There isn't really a minimum payout, as the prizes change every week. The lowest I've seen is 150 points for a coupon for Groupon, or a discount for a Verizon accessory, among others. The highest payout I've seen is for a $50.00 gift card for Foot Locker or Hotels.com, etc. Those take 15,000 points. The prizes reset every day, sometimes a few times a day, and they are in limited quantities. It's very random, and since you can only redeem two a week, the only gift cards I could see being almost a guarantee are those $50.00 gift cards. Other gift cards available regularly are Starbucks, Amazon, Uber, and Kohls, among others. They range in value from $5.00 to $50.00. Sometimes you can redeem a pair of Ray-Bans, socks, or headphones too.
I have earned $35.00 in gift cards. I still have $20.00 pending, due to the dispute. Putting aside my probable bias, this is a very good program. It's probably the most fun and engaging. There are trivia shows, Hot or Not-like votes, and short celebrity news clips. The hosts of the games, news, and clips are fun and engaging. There are also special celebrity appearances, and a dating game where you can basically bet on the participants chemistry. The prizes are, for the most part, pretty good. The coupons seem like a waste of points though, unless you couldn't play but a few minutes one day in the week, then at least there's a consolation prize. The biggest caveats are definitely the two prize limit, points expiring every week, limited amounts of prizes, and the 5000 point cap per day. I tried a few times to get to 5000 points in a day and never quite made it, so unless you have hours and hours to do it, it probably won't happen. You have a potential to earn 35,000 points a week, but since the highest value prize I've seen is 15,000 points, there's no reason to try to earn that maximum. As far as my partially negative experience, I'm not the only one who's had issues. I've read of others being suspended out of the blue. I'm not sure if these problems have been resolved. That is my warning: be prepared for at-will suspension. There is a chance of it happening. It's such a shame that this program seems to have the harshest penalty, because like I said, it's the most fun one I've used. Maybe it's just too good to be true. I would still recommend it, because I did get paid. Even if it wasn't half the time. Just be careful!
So there you have it, 21 tested internet income sources that pay out. I will make a post in the future featuring my payment proof. I just wanted to mention other programs I'm involved in, but I haven't seen any money from yet:
- 1Q (random surveys sent to your mobile device. This is the only one here that I haven't submitted anything to)
- McMoney (randomized texts sent to your phone. You get paid six cents a text. Payout is $6.00. I've earned almost $5.00)
- Capterra (paid review for computer software. My review is still pending.)
- Canview (product sent to your address that you test. After a week, answer a survey. Receive a $5.00 Amazon gift card a week after the survey.)
There are also affiliate programs for blogs and social media accounts, Google Adsense, writing collectives, book clubs, free box clubs, etc. These are ones I'm going to explore further and report back when I have more concrete information.
I will be releasing a new product review tonight or early Saturday. I'm thrilled to be doing another review, and hope this is the start of more. I really really hope this information has been helpful to you. Please comment if you have suggestions or questions. Please let your friends and online contacts know about my blog. Just spread the word, if you can! I would be eternally grateful!
"Take care of yourselves, and each other!" - Jerry Springer
The Too Goods is one piece with spring action to adjust to IOS or Android sizes 4.7 inches to 6.5 inches. It features a cooling fan that can be charged with an included USB cable. It came partially charged, so I didn't need the cable when I tested it. If you game a whole lot and want to make sure the fan doesn't stop, I would suggest keeping it plugged in. The color scheme here is very appealing to me. It makes it more fun! The package included rubber nubs to replace the ones on the controller, if need be.
The Ytuomzi pads are a different beast. They can be used for any IOS or Android size and shape. They have a padding to place your device in between the holders that clip. They also lock into place on the back. The color scheme here is also pretty pleasing. The black and red makes this choice more sleek, and with separate controllers, this is definitely more customizable. I would suggest these if you don't game as long, as there is no fan. The package included rubber nubs to replace the ones on the controller, if need be.
I chose to play Unkilled which is free on the Google Play store, and I'm unsure whether it is also available on IOS. I chose this game mainly because I felt a first-person shooter would be the best way to display the abilities of both controllers. Also, I found this to be more preferable for myself as it can be played alone, and it is a much smaller download size than PUBG.
The Ytuomzi was the best choice for my tablet, as the pieces can be put anywhere on the sides of the device and I didn't need to cool my tablet down, as it's pretty well equipped for that on it's own. The pads here are much more portable and customizable. Also, without the need for an external apparatus (i.e. USB cable), it has less baggage and feels more convenient in some cases. This set also has a plastic feeling, but the padding in between the holders is a quality rubber that I was confident in putting the tablet into. The pads have buttons on the back, and click the device into place. I could have gone either way with locking or not, but I err on the side of caution and locked it in. This set was also comfortable, and could be up to the task of a long term session. Again, the pads are more convenient for moving around, so I had less trouble programming the triggers. I was able to program the gun trigger and the zoom trigger. Although, the zoom trigger is kind of pointless as you would need to use a d-pad or your fingers to adjust the view and your character's position. The triggers worked just as great as the previous controller, and again made the game more accessible to a console player.
The Ytuomzi controller set is a great choice for a tablet, and a device that doesn't have temperature issues. This is better for your normal amount of playing on a mobile device. The stand out here is the diversity in programming positions. If you have a certain way you'd want your game set up, this is your controller.
