I love living in the forest, but the cost to do so has risen recently. With all the recent wildfires throughout the state, many have lost their homeowner’s insurance and had to depend on the state’s fair plan. Luckily, we are still under our regular insurance, but our premiums have risen steadily. Still not as bad as I’m hearing some people pay, but along with all the other increases, it has led me to look for some extra income.
I have always been open to doing freelance work as a writer. I know some options are fading away with AI, but I still thought I’d try a couple of popular job sites. I reworked my resume, and my daughter polished it up for me. Next, I researched where a writer could earn some extra income and found a couple of websites to get started.
I went in with an open mind and was looking for part-time jobs that used skills I’ve learned over the years as a writer. My focus was on beta reading, proofreading, writing blogs, and even being a virtual assistant. I decided on a website that didn’t charge as much and was recommended for writers. Seemed simple, I created a page and got to looking. Not open to paying a monthly fee, I had an option to purchase something like points to apply for jobs instead of paying the monthly fee.
I got right on that, reading the job posts, qualifications, and applying. Soon, I got an interview via Zoom. Here’s where I found out the job descriptions don’t match what they really wanted. Basically, it was a job to review websites. Never got an answer to whether I could write my own reviews or if it was provided. I was told I was overqualified, and I should watch for when they needed virtual office assistance or writers.
The next reply I got was from a woman who basically wanted the same thing. She asked me to screenshot that I had an Amazon account, which I didn’t. Then she wanted me to post reviews she had written for her books…I told her I would not do that. She did not like my answer. These are the people who make us look bad on Amazon.
Then I saw a job where I could take pictures of their products. I could do that in the forest. Good fit, huh? No, they wanted me to buy their products; they couldn’t send them for some reason I didn’t understand. But they would reimburse me for the purchase and my time, later. That was another no thank you.
Yet, I kept trying. I avoided what I now recognized as pay-for-review jobs and buy-and-review jobs. Next, I was approached for a job to talk for two hours and record it. The company claimed they needed to train their AI in cars with my accent. That didn’t appeal to me either. Plus, my writer’s mind was suspicious about what they were really doing with that recording.
The proofreading jobs or beta readers were still sounding promising, but looking deeper into them, they wanted not only someone to beta read but also to edit it too. One person wanted it done in a day…lol A few of these I didn’t hear back from, probably because I wasn’t willing to work for way under minimum wage.
What was left? Writing blog posts. One seemed like a fit, but getting deeper into this one, they wanted a person to write a set weekly amount of blogs that would have to be researched, which would mean doing about ten a day. This was for Facebook. I’m not a fast writer, and I take research seriously. With that job, they offered bonuses for a certain number of likes your post got, and the pay was decent. I didn’t want to put that kind of time into a part-time job, so I moved on.
Still having some points to use, I applied for a job that required me to have a pet to test toys on. When filling out the paperwork, they asked if I had an issue with electric shock toys for my cats. Yes, in fact I do.
So my venture into job websites didn’t go as I had hoped. I will do it the old-fashioned way, by going directly to websites or applying in person. I had heard from my kids that online jobs were almost impossible to get. They have had to find them in person.
Lesson learned. Now I look at any review even more critically. Those posts on Facebook I already knew were for likes, even historical ones, but it was worse than I thought. They even allowed AI posts. I won’t be posting fake reviews, or buying some strange person’s produce, or talking for two hours for pay. And guess what, you have to earn reviews at the job website, so you even get looked at by the so-called better jobs. They recommend you start with these jobs.
A very eye-opening and strange experience for me. They seem not to be looking for experience but people to take advantage of.
NOTE: I will be off next week on vacation 🙂 Be back on April 14th with my Book Reviews.
Now on to my heart-shaped rock collection!
Embrace your inner child by collecting rocks! D. L. Finn (Denise)
Wow, Denise, you can say you didn’t try. You get an A++++ for that. Good luck❣️
Thank you! I’ll take it 🙂
Wow, Denise.. Insightful and frustrating I should say❣️
Thank you, Cindy. It went from job hunting to researching. Sad to think about all the fake and paid reviews out there when we work hard to do it the right way. Xo
It looks like integrity has been lost. I hope you find the right fit for you, Denise!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Yes, it has been in this job market, Yvette. We work so hard to do it the right way to see this cheating really upset me. Thank you, I know I will find my right path. Xo
Electric shock toys for cats? Ugh.
I think it’s great that you investigated this option for part-time work, but it sounds like there are too many unscrupulous people out there who are trying to take advantage of others.
That left me speechless, Priscilla. So many unscrupulous people taking advantage of people desperate for work.
I love your rock collection. I’m about to go for a walk. I’ll keep an eye out for a heart-shaped rock of my own!
Thank you Priscilla 🙂 I hope you found a heart rock on your walk xo
Thanks for sharing your experiences with trying to find some work as a freelance writer. It seems everywhere we turn there is someone trying to take unfair advantage or outright scamming. Hopefully, the right fit will come along.
We’re part of that contingent whose insurance company dropped us (we don’t even live in fire country), and we are now on the California “Fair” Plan.
It was eye opening the jobs scams out there, Pete. Plus the push for fake reviews when we work so hard for real ones really bothered me. Thank you, I know I will find my path, but I worry about all those people used. That crazy you got your insurance dropped and not in fire country like us. I know the fair plan isn’t fair at all. I’ve heard a couple shocking premiums over 10k a year locally. It got worse after LA fire and the new rating system. We are 6 out of ten to get a fire but 10 out of 10 to lose house if it starts. Insurance is a mess right now.
I can sympathize, Denise. I also recently did an onnline search for a job, part-time, involving teaching. It took several weeks before I was contacted by a company that provides substitute teachers, and several more weeks to get through all the paperwork and orientation. All told, about 3 months! Then, as soon as I signed a contract with a company, the tutoring company where I really wanted to work, contacted me. Oh well.
Keep at it! You deserve a gold medal for your determination!
That’s a long process, Noelle. Sorry you didn’t get the one you wanted. I may have to fall back another skills and avoid this strange niche I found. Thank you xo
I never knew these kinds of jobs existed. Thank you for the research, Denise. Quite interesting
I had no idea either that anyone would post a job, epecially for fake reviews. It was eye opening, John.
Good Lord, that sounds just dreadful!
It was frustrating at first, Liz. Then my research side kicked in.
I hope something will work out for you.
I know it will, thanks Liz 🙂
You’re welcome, Denise. 🙂
What an eye-opening story, Denise. Thanks for sharing. I salute your determination and decisions of not falling for those traps!
Thank you, Balroop 🙂 I do worry about the people they take in or who don’t care what they do.
That is interesting. The job market certainly has changed. I’m glad you didn’t fall for any of these. People have found work through LinkedIn. I put my name in for Travel Writing opportunities and had some interesting ones sent to me. It may be worth checking out and it doesn’t cost anything.
The job market has really changed. Decades ago I worked for a company like Kelly Girl where thry would offer you jobs at places that needed help. I loved it because I went to many places and got to see how different companies ran. I guess I was thinking this could be similar. But not even close. I will be checking out LinkedIn, thank you. Good luck with your travel writing opportunities. That’s perfect for you xo
Wow, Denise! It sounds like you did what is best for you. It reminds me of job hunting when we first moved to Michigan. Eventually, a company contacted me and wanted me as an employee because I’d done so well in my Digital Electronics education. They contracted me to GM’s engine laboratory.
That is wonderful that worked out so well for you, Timothy 🙂 I know it can be a long process. My son in law got laid off last summer and it took him six months to find a new job, but he is set now.
Good for your son-in-law, Denise. Gm was a good employer. After a few years as a contract employee, they hired me. My pay was good and I got a significant bonus every year.
Thanks, he was one of many computer software workers to get laid off. Yay for good jobs and getting paid for what you are worth!
I’ve thought about looking for a little online writing work too, Denise. Just to help out with our rising costs. After reading this post, I’m guessing that it may not be for me. Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s enlightening! And have a great vacation, my friend. Hugs.
I’m not going to give up finding some extra income, but won’t be dealing with these websites. I’m sure there are many decent jobs once you get past the scams, but boy that was shocking to see. I remember from years ago there was a writers union or group where you listed your skills. It waa a place to find writing work. I will be looking into that next or magazines if they are still available. Thank you, Diana 🙂 Still figuring out what we are going to do. Hugs back xo
I get soooooo many scammy email inquiries these days that I can’t even sort through them! It’s ridiculous! Good luck with your search.
Good gracious! What an experience. And electric shock toys for cats? Ack.
What about a writer’s assistant: sending out memes on FB, Twitter, etc?
Love the heart rocks.
It was crazy and the electrical shock was something I didn’t expect. I did apply as a writer assistant, as did a 100 others. Never heard bsck from those jobs. I’ve been picking up heart shaped rocks for years. Xo
We knew that the reviews were ordered. As a friend of ours told us, she would never buy a book with lots of praise on the net. Now we know a lot of people react like her – we too.
Thanks
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
I knew to be skeptical about reviews, but this was eye opening how they got them and tried to pay six dollars for them…lol. It really hurts honest writers like in our community. Just recently I bought a peppermill, will tons of praise. Broke in two months. Although now it has my honest review.
Jehosaphat Jenkins! Thanks for the post, Denise, and for the details. That’s just awful. And electric shock “toys”!?!?! I wish no end of bad things on those people.
My car insurance has gone up by considerable chunks every six months for the past couple of years. Old car, no accidents or tickets– that used to be the only experience that went down rather than up. So I hate to imagine what home owners insurance is there. I’m so sorry. Sending you good vibes. Hugs on the wing.
Isn’t that an awful idea to make electric shock toys, Teagan. I can’t see any cat owner wanting them. Sorry sbout your car insurance, ours is the same too. We have older cars and no accidents and it feels like we pay teenage boy rates. I guess insurance is an issue everywhere on some level. I’ll take those good vibes. Sending hugs and good vibes back to you xo
That is really disheartening. Skilled people are available, but this seems like it’s all about scamming them. Makes me sad about the reviews, too.
It is disheartening, Craig. I used to know many stay at home moms who easily got side jobs on the computer, but that seems to be a thing of the past. Most seem to grt work by going past these job sites and going directly to companies. I let them know that I wouldn’t post fake reviews. It’s not right, but I guess they still find enough people to do it for six dollars a shot and it seems like they find a way so job website doesn’t always know. Sad when our community is honest about our reviews and work hard for them. We can be proud about that.
Eye-opening, indeed, Denise! At least you tried! As to home. ins., ours was dropped a couple of years ago due to us being in a high fire zone. It was scary, but we finally got another policy. We’re paying more but better to have it than to not. What crazy times with the fires and ins. On a positive note, I love your rock collection. Enjoy your vacation! xo
I did try, Lauren and haven’t given up yet. It did go from job hunting into research though. I do love that part of writing. Sorry you are dealing with the high insurance too. I know they rezoned everyone and that changed everything. No, we Definitely need insurance on big investments like homes. I do know some who are going without, that is scary. Thank you, I’ve been picking up rock shaped rocks for years. Looking forward to our break. Xo
I’ve looked into freelance writing for pay two different times throughout the years, Denise, and walked away shaking my head. I once got a job transcribing for a company and that was okay, but honestly, for the hours it took, I wasn’t even making minimum wage. Don’t give up. Keep looking and maybe something will come along. You might also try LinkedIn. Good luck!
I’ve considered transcribing too. Like yiu said though the pay is below minimum and at least the medical ones you had to be available all day to do it. They must find someone willing to work for these wages, like you I wasn’t willing. I know the right fit will come along. I will go back to decluttering, never know what I might run across. I did open my LinkedIn profile up for work. Thank you. Xo
Shock toys for cats???? What the *(&% is wrong with these people? Kudos to you for trying, Denise, and also for seeing through these scams. Wishing you luck with your search and a restful vacation.
I didn’t want to know anymore after that nor what it was used for. Just nuts, Teri. Thank you, it went from job search to research rather luckily. Looking forward to our break. Xo