Question / Discussion Waiting for the online work to come to you

Jon

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I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to online earning opportunities. Typically I would wait for the work to come to me and if it wasn't then THERE'S NO MONEY TO BE MADE!

I suppose it wasn't until I started this site and the community around it built it then people would then start sharing opportunities a lot more with me which was fine but I still STILL waiting for the work to come in whatever form.

Is the better approach for when work dries up to look into things where you can control the workflow?

Print on Demand, eBay Flipping, Offering freelancer writing, Renting out your parking space, blogging, building a website to make money etc.

All the above mean YOU go out and generate the income yourself?

Do you think that's better way to be? Or maybe a mixture of both?

I see 'There's no decent money to be made online' SO MUCH online and I know I'm probably overexposed it to it but I never quite get why people don't turn that on its head and instead create something which will bring the money to them!

giphy.gif
 
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The Reverend

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I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to online earning opportunities. Typically I would wait for the work to come to me and if it wasn't then THERE'S NO MONEY TO BE MADE!

I suppose it wasn't until I started this site and the community around it built it then people would then start sharing opportunities a lot more with me which was fine but I still STILL waiting for the work to come in whatever form.

Is the better approach for when work dries up to look into things where you can control the workflow?

Print on Demand, eBay Flipping, Offering freelancer writing, Renting out your parking space, blogging, building a website to make money etc.

All the above mean YOU go out and generate the income yourself?

Do you think that's better way to be? Or maybe a mixture of both?

I see 'There's no decent money to be made online' SO MUCH online and I know I'm probably overexposed it to it but I never quite get why people don't turn that on its head and instead create something which will bring the money to them!

giphy.gif
Stop Sub-Posting on me!

:D

I think PoD is a great thing for people who are Self Employed as it gives a simple way to use your spare time to create passive income.
 

PhilN

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I think it depends on what skills you have. If you're a writer, for example, you could work on building up a portfolio of clients to work for rather than having all your eggs in one basket and having to wait longer.

I tend to think that when you're not directly earning, it's a good idea to be working on a long-term project. For example, I have finished all of my paying work for the day so am now taking a few hours to make some progress on building my website in the hope that it will become a constant stream of income further down the line.

Networking with people also helps as they tend to give you a nudge when they spot something new.
 

Jon

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Stop Sub-Posting on me!

:D

I think PoD is a great thing for people who are Self Employed as it gives a simple way to use your spare time to create passive income.
I think Print of Demand + someone creative can do WONDERS in terms of bringing in an income.

I think there is a difference though between

I spend my time making money by selling my designs online

and

I spend my time making money doing lots of different online work

The former has direction and is easier to add the latter.
 

Jon

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I think it depends on what skills you have. If you're a writer, for example, you could work on building up a portfolio of clients to work for rather than having all your eggs in one basket and having to wait longer.

I tend to think that when you're not directly earning, it's a good idea to be working on a long-term project. For example, I have finished all of my paying work for the day so am now taking a few hours to make some progress on building my website in the hope that it will become a constant stream of income further down the line.

Networking with people also helps as they tend to give you a nudge when they spot something new.

So a mixture of things is the best thing? 50% work that comes to you and 50% work that you have gone out and go yourself through your site / creativity etc.

I just think maybe some people don't consider this and so they go 'oh there's no work on appen, matched betting, surveys, smartphone apps this week' and then just sort of take that on the chin when actually they could then do what we have to do as bloggers during the quiet weeks is look at ways we can bring the money to US!
 

Jon

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what can you do though if you don't want to do anything creative and bring any extra money in that way

Are you completely up the spout as far as earning online goes is the survey sites are dry or there's no work on your favourite smartphone task app?
 

Ar_

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See I'm a pain in the arse (as you know) and have stuff like writing and art to promote but it's not easy when things dry up because like, where do you start looking for work?
 
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PhilN

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So a mixture of things is the best thing? 50% work that comes to you and 50% work that you have gone out and go yourself through your site / creativity etc.

I just think maybe some people don't consider this and so they go 'oh there's no work on appen, matched betting, surveys, smartphone apps this week' and then just sort of take that on the chin when actually they could then do what we have to do as bloggers during the quiet weeks is look at ways we can bring the money to US!

I just think there are some that are obvious, like those you've mentioned, but if you want this to last a long time then you need to find a few other sources of revenue.

Thinking back to some of the businesses we've worked for over the last 5+ years, a lot of them seemed like must-have stay at home jobs but a lot of them no longer exist. In that sense, it's all about constantly moving to look for new sources of cash. If you can build a business in your spare time, that will go a long way to helping.

Ultimately, I believe many of the money-making opportunities we see on here, for example, should be supplemental to other sources of income.
 

mrcbo

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Defintely a mix approach is best way, keep eyes open for everything. I find the micro forums some brands do now a useful way to be creative and earn although do take time. Surveys are simple and easy to earn.
 

Dianeayr

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This is a very timely post. I have to admit I have been floundering a bit for the past few months. I was working regulary for Appen and then I hit a big problem, for some unknown reason I was suddenly unable to access the rating tool, emails went back and forth to Appen but in the end I had to stop working for them as I couldn't do the work, and although I'm still on their books I am not earning with them. Fluidstack is another example. I have managed to get one node working but every time I try to add more I get an error message and it's not working for me! At the moment the only regular money I have coming in is through my ebay sales which are staying fairly stable. I know I should be putting in a lot more work myself, making the money shed a daily 'go to' to see what's new and what I should be doing to improve my chances of getting more work but atm I am feeling a tad defeated which of course is going to get me precisely nowhere in getting more work. I was also working for transcribe me but the job has finished now and I have to take an exam with them in order to get more work. I am going to use this post to really start putting in much more effort, and hope to report back in a few months that things are starting to look up. Thanks for the timely reminder Jon, I guess we are all only going to get out only as much as we put in!!
 
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EdibleDormouse

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I will always go out and look for the work simply because I'm a ridiculous ball of anxiety, so much so that I am wary of sources of work such as Appen as they can stop without warning, and suddenly you're £400 (or more) in the hole for the following month.

I've got to look for passive sources, however. There are only 24 hours in the day, and I need to address my workaholic tendencies.
 

Jon

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work such as Appen as they can stop without warning, and suddenly you're £400 (or more) in the hole for the following month.

As I've talked about many times I lost £600+ a month from getting booted off 63336 and i got booted out of leapforce doing Web search evaluator work (another £600+) for reasons some of the folk on here know about lol

it was a hell of a shock each time and it spurred me on so much to create an online income where i am far more in control because it's all so precarious
 

EdibleDormouse

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As I've talked about many times I lost £600+ a month from getting booted off 63336 and i got booted out of leapforce doing Web search evaluator work (another £600+) for reasons some of the folk on here know about lol

it was a hell of a shock each time and it spurred me on so much to create an online income where i am far more in control because it's all so precarious

It was my years of lurking and reading your posts about that that made me wary of the likes of Appen/Lionbridge unless it was for a specific thing (i.e. tax bill, holiday etc.) and therefore 'not required' after a certain point. Losing £600 I was relying on a month means somehow a) finding another 12 singing teaching hours, and b) finding the students to fill them. Right now, other factors mean that's just not practical.

When I find that magic passive income unicorn, I'll let you know!
 

Jon

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It was my years of lurking and reading your posts about that that made me wary of the likes of Appen/Lionbridge unless it was for a specific thing (i.e. tax bill, holiday etc.) and therefore 'not required' after a certain point. Losing £600 I was relying on a month means somehow a) finding another 12 singing teaching hours, and b) finding the students to fill them. Right now, other factors mean that's just not practical.

When I find that magic passive income unicorn, I'll let you know!
Passive income more the often for online earning comes from affiliate marketing

Maybe it's time to make a home music teaching blog / website!!
 

EdibleDormouse

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Passive income more the often for online earning comes from affiliate marketing

Maybe it's time to make a home music teaching blog / website!!

It's a saturated market full of very good options already, but I *do* have the germ of an idea for a related blog as time after time pre- and post- tertiary education students come into my studio with not a clue how to manage the tedious admin that goes with being a professional musician. There was no help when I was at college (more years ago than I care to admit to having been alive) and there's even less now.

Now to get on with it!
 
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Jon

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It's a saturated market full of very good options already, but I *do* have the germ of an idea for a related blog as time after time pre- and post- tertiary education students come into my studio with not a clue how to manage the tedious admin that goes with being a professional musician. There was no help when I was at college (more years ago than I care to admit to having been alive) and there's even less now.

Now to get on with it!
I will say. Don't worry about 'everyone else already doing it'

If that was the case no one would do anything. What you need to do is do what everyone else is doing in your niche but put a EdibleDormouse SPIN on it all. Give them stuff they can't get elsewhere, or a difference viewpoint to the norm!!
 

EdibleDormouse

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I will say. Don't worry about 'everyone else already doing it'

If that was the case no one would do anything. What you need to do is do what everyone else is doing in your niche but put a EdibleDormouse SPIN on it all. Give them stuff they can't get elsewhere, or a difference viewpoint to the norm!!

A good point, well made. I suppose the unique spin is that I feel older than god's dog but I'm still in pretty regular work, so that's something.

Thanks for the kick up the bum!
 

Jon

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A good point, well made. I suppose the unique spin is that I feel older than god's dog but I'm still in pretty regular work, so that's something.

Thanks for the kick up the bum!
honestly. Like I said if you worry about what everyone else is doing or that a niche is too saturated or whatever you won't start anything!

My competition is fueled by a guy that appears on national TV every week! Can't worry about that, just got to go in the opposite direction and do what I do

@PhilN is creating a new site in a market that has LORD know how many similar sites out there but with his own unique spin and great SEO he will no doubt make a good amount of money from it.

how many lifestyle blogs are there? how many 'mummy bloggers' are there? Yet people keep creating them and finding an audience for their unique take on things.

The ones that don't get the audience and money (or passive income as you want) are the ones who don't start it!!!
 
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EdibleDormouse

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True enough.

And I have to say, I've made more money from your tips over the years than I ever have from That Other Place. I always feel like I'm being told off there, even though I've never done anything but lurk...
 
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cofito

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I have always had the view that nothing comes to you... even seeing something on this site has meant I have chosen to log on, so that was a decision to have a look and I found the new thing because of that decision.

I had originally found this site at a time when It was just what I needed and it helped me massively through a rough period (something I probably have never said thank you for). Although for a few years I never dipped back in on here I took the parts that I liked but also wanted to do and had time to pursue and continued. Around a year and a half ago life changed again and I upped my game in a certain area. BUT I went out and found all the work, and for a year I tried as much as I could and now and have settled back down to what I can manage.

That to me is important as you need to be able to manage what you are doing. The Ad rating stuff, and that's a thanks I need to make as I found that here, I do sometimes forget, but I have certain times of the day or situations where I can fit it in so I get it done.

I have always found in everything I do there is always someone else doing something maybe better, maybe worse, maybe making more money, achieving more, but they may have something else driving them or they have had a lucky break or work harder or just were in the right place at the right time. I know that I have had massive opportunities in my life and although I try and blame others or the situations at the time, ultimately if I had wanted the opportunities I could have made them happen, but sometimes it was just not the right thing.

I also recognise my work-life balance and know what is more important to me. I am currently sat in a hotel (yep a mystery shop), the pay is nothing really but to spend a couple of days away with my son where pretty much everything is free outways the pay for these kinds of things.

I guess what I am getting at is that success in what you do is really driven by what it means to you so finding work is the same if you truly need it you will search it out. But you also have to look at what you have achieved and what that means to what you do going forward as you can sometimes do so much more as a result and make doors open that you had no idea would have opened for you, but you have to look.
 
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