CloudCrowd Review: Make Money Writing, Editing, and Crowdsourcing

One of my more recent adventures in making money online was with CloudCrowd. Easily accessed through my Facebook account, this company offers users cash deposits in Paypal for translating, writing, editing, and general crowdsourcing tasks.

CloudCrowd Review: The Good

Unlike many other crowdsourcing companies, CloudCrowd does not require lengthy web forms to apply. The sign up process is quick and easy, and there are opportunities to make money from writing, editing, and researching. Additional opportunities are listed, such as data entry, translation, an categorization, but I have yet to see anything available in these categories.

There is an appeal process for rejected works.

CloudCrowd Review: The Bad

Personally, I spent a lot of time on the Marketing Writer Credential Test. I checked and rechecked my work, and while I had a question as to what person to write in, my answer was nowhere to be found. In addition, there was no place to ask questions, and while there were a number of requirements, there was no example article for comparison purposes.

As you can see in this picture, the primary keyword I was assigned was misspelled! I should have taken that as an early warning sign to avoid wasting my time.

The same day that I completed this credential test, it was returned back to me rejected. I was aghast. Naturally, I clicked on the link given in the e-mail to go to the reasons why.... and found nothing. Only when I accessed the application via Facebook did I find this information, which you may see below.















CloudCrowd did make it very clear that more than 5 Style Guide Violations would result in a rejection. However, as I mentioned earlier, there was no direction in regards to writing in third person. While I did not specifically write "fun fact," in my opinion the fact that I provided regarding the ability to charge a device with sunlight is a rather interesting, and- dare I say it?- FUN fact.

As to the corrupted text, I merely copied and pasted from the instructions, which did indeed result in "weird corrupted text," but yet again, I was left wondering whether I should or should not include the keywords as the instructions were simply inadequate.

Constructive criticism is always welcome in my book. (Seriously, if you notice any typos or whatnot, please let me know!) But CloudCrowd.... not for me.

CloudCrowd: The Link

Check out the CloudCrowd link.

Flying with a Latex Allergy

Picture courtesy of http://www.public-domain-image.com.

Planning a trip?

Check out this checklist for airline travel with a latex allergy over at Grateful Foodie.

Preparation is the key to minimizing exposure and any resulting reactions!

Make Money with Surveys: Global Test Market Review

Global Test Market Review: The Good

Surveys are pretty straightforward, and the screening surveys aren't as lengthy as with some survey sites. When screened out of a survey, you still receive an entry into the daily and quarterly cash drawings.

Global Test Market Review: The Bad

Personally, I seem to be screened out of at least 80% of the surveys, which is frustrating. While there is a refer a friend program, it is only via e-mail. The reward for a referral is only 20 MarketPoints.

MarketPoints may only be redeemed at the level of 1000 points. While outside reports indicate that this is the point at which a cash check for $50 is mailed, the FAQ section of this paid survey website no longer states this (it used to).

Global Test Market Review: The Link

This is the link for Global Test Market.

Make Money from Surveys: TellWut Review

TellWut Review: The Good

TellWut is one of the few paid survey websites that compensate users for making their own surveys. They provide tips on how to make surveys that will gain approval, and list the point value of all activities on the FAQ page.

There are countless surveys to complete, though these are generally user-generated and relatively short. Some businesses also utilize TellWut for their short surveys.

This is one survey site for anyone who considers themselves to be a survey nut. With so many different genres of surveys to choose from, in addition to access to survey results, it will certainly keep the survey aficionado occupied for hours on end.

Rewards are in the form of points, which may be exchanged for a variety of gift cards, including Amazon gift cards. The occasional product may be redeemed as well. Based on the $10 Amazon gift card, 100 points is valued at 25 cents. Users receive 100 points for signing up, 100 points for completing the short profile, 25 points for referring a friend, 5-15 points for answering user-generated surveys, 10-20 points for creating approved surveys, and 15 points or more for completing business surveys.

TellWut Review: The Bad (ish)

In an effort to put a price on my time with this survey website, I timed the amount of time it took me to make 100 points, or 25 cents, completing user-generated surveys of 10 points each. I used the "Next Survey" button to move between surveys, and it took me 7 minutes total. If I did this for an hour, I would make less than $3 per hour.

I suppose the hourly average could be good or bad depending on your viewpoint, as a number of paid survey sites require you to spend 20 minutes on "qualifying" questions before determining you as unqualified for any compensation.

Tell Wut Review: The Link

Here is the link for TellWut.

Make Money with Surveys: Surveys.com

Here's a weird one for you!

I've been taking surveys with Surveys.com for quite some time, now. I hadn't received any rewards, and for the last month or so I've been getting this weird message after taking surveys.

Curious as to my rewards status, I typed in surveys.com into the search bar, and- voila- I get the same page!

So, while this website is happily sending me surveys, which of course have no technical issues to complete, I have no access to the website, contact information, or rewards.

Surely I am not the only one? What are your experiences with this survey website?

Make Money With Surveys: Harris Poll Online

I've been a member of Harris Poll Online for quite some time, but only recently really began hitting the survey opportunities hard. Here's my experience, please comment what yours has been!

Harris Poll Online Review: The Good

I've really been surprised at how many survey opportunities I see popping up in my inbox on a daily basis. There haven't been any technical issues at all, and surveys are clear, concise, and not of a ridiculous length.

There is a wide selection of ways to redeem reward points, including magazine subscriptions, sweepstakes entries, and Amazon vouchers.

Harris Poll Online Review: The Bad

There is no referral program for Harris Poll Online, so referring any friends is done completely out of the goodness (or not-so-goodness) of your heart. I seem to "test" out of the majority of surveys, which seems to be the bulk of my time spend on this survey site. There is no compensation for this time.

Today I made 45 points in exchange for perhaps 30-45 minutes of my time. Using the Amazon gift code as a basis for calculations, it comes out to about 0.008 cents per point. So, I made 36 cent for a minimum of 30 minutes of my time. Ouch.

Harris Poll Online Review: The Link

This is the Harris Poll Online link.

Pure Profile Review

I've use Pure Profile both on my iPhone and on my laptop, and as of today my balance is at 15 cents despite completing the entire profile and 7 "campaigns"...

The Good: 

Pure Profile rewards users with cash deposits directly into Paypal Surveys are quick and simple.

This is accessible via both an iPhone app and your web browser, and there is a $2 reimbursement per e-mail referral that completes two campaigns within the first month of membership.

The Bad: 

The time required to complete a full profile seems disproportionate to the number of accessible surveys. Redemption must be made via the Pure Profile website.

Tips: Complete all of the profile, time permitted, in order to gain access to more survey opportunities.

The Link: Pure Profile Link

Make Money with Surveys: SurveySpot

I've been using SurveySpot for a few months now, so I feel like I can give a relatively accurate review based on my experience. Quite frankly I just cancelled my account, but you can weigh the pros and cons and make your own decision. :)

SurveySpot Review: The Good

The website is easy to use and there is almost always a survey available to take. Most of the time there seems to be at least one additional promotion going on. Surveys are straightforward and easy to understand in general, but I have left a couple of surveys as they were just too much for my mind to handle at the time.Unlike a number of similar sites, this one is simply surveys, so distractions are minimal.

SurveySpot Review: The Bad

Despite my effort, I haven't benefited at all from my time spent using SurveySpot. I've been entered into a few prize drawings (which I haven't won), and haven't made one reward points. This company requires 1000 reward points before users are eligible for redeeming them. I've attempted countless surveys only to be informed that I didn't qualify. There is no compensation for this time.

There are no rewards or benefits for referrals.

SurveySpot Review: The Link

This is the link for SurveySpot.

Online Survey Sites that Are No More

Wow. It's crazy how many online survey sites that I've come across links to that are no longer active/ no longer exist. To save you some time from doing the same, I've started a list that I will update as I come across new ones.

Paid survey sites that no longer exist:

• Tech Panel
• Elite Opinion Panel
• Shifrin-Hayworth: Site is under construction. A very long construction.

These sites exist, but....

• e-Rewards: Membership is by invitation only from sponsors.
• Songpeople: I can't register. I have no idea why.

AppTrailers Review: Earn Gift Cards for Watching Videos!

One of my favorite free apps to earn gift cards is AppTrailers. AppTrailers is just what it sounds like- and more!

AppTrailers Review: What is AppTrailers?

AppTrailers rewards you with points for watching short videos about iPhone or iPad apps. These are generally around 30 seconds long or so, and can be done while sitting on the couch watching TV or waiting for an appointment. 

Recently the app was updated to include short trailers for popular television shows (worth 5 points and able to be watched repeatedly) as well as offers. Offers are the typical ones you see online, with points for signing up for free trials, new websites, and similar randomness.

AppTrailers Review: The Good: 

There are always plenty of videos to choose from, in addition to various offers. Points may be redeemed in Paypal deposits, a number of different gift cards, or scratch cards to gamble on winning more points.

The "Free Today" tab features- you guessed it- a selected app that is free to download for today only. So far none of them have grabbed my attention, but it's still a nice little feature.

By tapping the "history" tab, you have access to all of your point activity. Very few gift card apps offer this, so I'm pretty psyched about it.

So far I've made a few dollars or so without any "real" effort.

AppTrailers Review: The Bad: 

Points are not worth much, with every ten points equal to one cent. At least that's pretty clear when you start with the app, though. So it takes quite some time to build up enough points to where you want to cash out.

AppTrailers Review: Tips: 

Open daily and use the free 10 point scratcher to win quick, easy points. 

Videos featured in yellow may be watched once for points, while those with blue icons may be repeatedly watched. Check in regularly and scan for new yellow videos so you don't miss any!

Check out the offers section even if you think you're not interested, as sometimes there are videos hiding in there!

Enter in my referral code, boilerfreak, and we'll both get extra points! Word on the street is that it's 50 points, but it seems to be a rather controversial topic.

AppTrailers Review: The Link: 

This is the link for the iPhone version of AppTrailers.

It's available on Android too! This is the Android AppTrailers link.

Remember to enter in my referral code, boilerfreak.

eBook Buffet Review: Find Free eBooks Daily!

I have a tendency to download a lot of apps, only to spend a few minutes to an hour using them then delete them. Quite frankly, it seems that most of the apps on the appStore are pretty useless. But eBook Buffet is one app that I've had for quite some time, and I don't see myself ever deleting it!

eBook Buffet is free to download, and presumably makes money from advertisements on the app. Generally the ads are relatively unobtrusive, and I don't expect the developers to offer such a great service without paying their bills.

Every day there are new, FREE ebooks uploaded to choose from. A few simple taps after you've synced your Amazon account with the app, and you have new ebooks! 

Free ebooks are separated into sub-categories under fiction and non-fiction, listing the top free downloads for the last 24 hours. New ebooks that are of note are featured in an editor's picks section.

I find almost all of my free ebooks through the eBook Buffet app these days. While the icon isn't all that attractive, I assure you, the app is a gem in a field of stinky banana peels! 

CashCrate Review: Make Money Online

CashCrate has been around for quite some time, but I've only recently joined up. In my opinion they are somewhat similar to SwagBucks in that they offer a variety of different methods of making money online.

Some of the ways to make money include web searches (through the website), completing surveys, watching videos, completing mini-tasks similar to those on m-turk, and completing offers. There is also a cashback option for shopping at certain websites online.

CashCrate Review: The Good

You can cash out at $20, cold hard cash. All activity is logged on the website so it's easy to keep track of what is making you money. There are always lots of offers and surveys available.

There is also an option to earn points by completing offers and playing games. These points can be converted into prizes such as digital cameras, all sorts of gift cards, and even an iPod!

CashCrate has one of the better referral programs around.

CashCrate Review: The Bad

The game selection is pretty limited, primarily featuring card games. I couldn't get the games to work with Google Chrome, but I haven't contacted support about the problem either. It just didn't seem important enough to take the time to do so. :)

Many of the offers seem a bit hinky.

CashCrate Review: The Link

This is the CashCrate link. 

Make Money with Surveys: SurveyHead Review

Have you signed up for SurveyHead yet? If not, this is one online survey site that I highly recommend.

SurveyHead Review: The Good

SurveyHead is honed in on one thing: surveys. You know you won't be bothered by annoying ads, pop-ups, or offers when you go to this website. Surveys are easy to understand and of reasonable length.

There are a number of profile surveys, all of which are paid, starting from 10 cents. Once you hit $10, you can cash out. I'm almost there, despite spending more time on other website where I'm nowhere near cashing out!

SurveyHead Review: The Bad

This is one of the few "get paid to take surveys" sites that don't offer any incentive for referrals. Their website states that they may offer this in the future, but don't at this time. That is a bit of a bummer.

Some surveys fill up pretty quick once you get a notification e-mail, so be sure to respond as soon as possible.

SurveyHead Review: The Link
This is the link to register for SurveyHead.

100 Ways to Make $100 iPhone App Review

Since we can all use some extra cash, I've been checking out some iPhone money apps, and the 100 Ways to Make $100 iPhone app is one of the first ones I came across. Guess what? It has a free version! Yippee!

100 Ways to Make $100 Review: The Good

Upon opening the app, one of the first things I noticed was that it had a "favorites" section. I love the idea of being able to save the most applicable ideas without having to scroll down a list of 100 ideas.

This app was intuitive to use and I have not noticed any bugs or crashes. Definitely a huge time saver for anyone who isn't an expert at searching online, and even an inspiration for getting your behind in gear in your free time!

100 Ways to Make $100 Review: The Bad

Many (if not all) of the ideas from this app for making money can be found online, but it would save someone the time and effort it takes to search for ideas. Personally, I'm currently doing tons of research into ways to make extra income online, so I didn't jump for the 99 cent full version. Since the free version offers 20 ideas, I feel like I have a pretty good idea of what I'd be paying for.

100 Ways to Make $100: The Link

Check out this iPhone money app here, and let me know what you think of it!

Swagbucks Review

It seems that everybody and their brother are on Swagbucks these days. I've only recently jumped on the swag bandwagon, but I'm not regretting it!
On the off chance that you haven't already discovered this nifty website to make a little extra pocket cash, let me share with you what I've found in a few shore weeks of exploring the site.

What Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a bit of all of the "make money online" methods all wrapped into one snazzy little package. For engaging in one way or another, you can earn Swag Bucks, which may be exchanged for entries into sweepstakes, gift cards, jewelry, DVDs, or a whole array of other things. You can earn Swag Bucks by completing surveys, watching short commercials, using it to do your daily web searches, completing tasks, inviting friends, and a few other things I'm sure I've missed.

Swagbucks Review: The Good
There are so many stinking ways to earn points on this website it's insane. In a good way. Usually the games that websites like these have available to earn points on are pretty simple and lame, but the games to earn points here are actually fun. They actually have the same Golf Solitaire game that I have on my iPhone! How fun is that?

Points, or Swag Bucks, are accrued automatically and don't take forever and a day to show up in your account. Since you have your own little mailbox on Swagbucks, they don't drive you nutso by clogging up your e-mail, either!

Swagbucks Review: The Bad
It takes quite some time to earn enough points to really get anything decent, but it's more attainable than some similar websites. With so many ways to earn, it shouldn't take much effort at all to earn at least a $5 gift card (or the equivalent) a couple times a year for the average Internet user.

Swagbucks: The Link
If you want to check it out, here is the link for Swagbucks. And come back here and let me know what you're most excited about getting rewarded for!

How To Hint Review: Is It Worth It?

As I'm working my way down the ridiculously extensive list of possible ways to make money online, I came across Howtohint, a website with an attractive front page that actually made me a little excited.

Digging in to the website's information, I found the current offered rate for writers and editors. While I do have to give the website huge kudos for being upfront with their offered rates, the rates are simply too low for me to even consider.

Paying $3 per 500 word article for writers and $0.50 to $1 per edited article for editors, I would likely be doing good to make minimum wage. The company could very well be incredible to work with, but until the rates are increased, this isn't something I can afford to explore. Payment is by Paypal, which is great, but for now, I'll be looking elsewhere to support myself.

Have you checked out HowtoHint? What are your thoughts?

Paid Viewpoint Brings Class to Online Survey Websites

As I've been checking out easy ways to make money online, I came across Paid Viewpoint. Seemingly a relative newcomer on the game, this is the best survey website for someone looking to make a few extra bucks now and then without a huge investment of time.

Most paid survey websites require you to input your basic demographic information every time you start a new survey. This drives me nuts, as they already have this information!

Paid Viewpoint, on the other hand, keeps your information on file and at hand so that you only have to deal with providing your basic information upon sign-up and in case anything changes. That's all!

The surveys are super short, at least for me they are thus far, and don't pay very much, but they do at least pay. There's no fooling around with points and figuring out whether or not something is worth your time- with this website, it's right there in dollars and cents.

Another aspect that sets Paid Viewpoint apart is their "Traitscore" system. Essentially, every time you complete a survey, your Traitscore increases. The higher the score, the more you get paid for your time. Makes sense, right?

So far the surveys have consisted of around 5 or less simple questions, and since I'm e-mailed every time there are new questions available, I don't have to constantly check in to the website to see if there is a new opportunity. Plus, I don't get a bunch of junk e-mail, but just an e-mail when I actually want one!

Granted, I'm only up to $1.51 so far, but I'm actually just fine with that considering how little effort I've put into it, and that What are you waiting for? Sign up today, and see for yourself!

The Disappointed Writer

One of the websites that has been a huge disappointment as of late is Freelancer.com. A couple years ago it was wonderful! I gained a decent reputation and only encountered one or two "bad eggs" as a freelance writer.

 Initially, the pay was very low, which I expected, but I made my way up fairly quickly to the $5 per 500 word article gigs. Granted, that's not rolling in the dough, but it was paying the bills as I pursued actual contracts and increased my online reputation.

 Returning back to Freelancer this winter, I found it has essentially been taken over by employers expecting what appears to me to be dismal work for slave labor costs. This is at least the case for writing gigs; technology-based gigs may be quite the opposite, but I didn't go that career route. (For that matter I did aim for writing as a career either, but that's a wholly different matter.)

 The other writing opportunities I saw that paid slightly better were primarily those that I would not pursue on a moral basis- either those for a wealthy, lazy college student or in regards to *ahem* other subjects.

 As to who may be to blame for this shift as to livable rates, I'm not sure. My hunch is that the website simply became too popular; saturated with individuals looking for (and offering) the most basic of SEO skills and English as a second language, living in countries where the American dollar has a much higher value. The website is actually set up quite well and I never had a technical problem with it all the time I spent on it. But as of today, I simply can't spend hours searching for those few decent writing opportunities that I may or may not even be awarded after submitting an application.

 Granted, there are still some diamonds in the rough on freelancer.com. But unless you've already built up an impressive writing profile, steer clear for now. There are plenty of other freelance writing websites out there to explore- and I'll let you know what I think of them as I go along!

An Honest Disclosure

Just so you know, some links I post may have some sort of incentive behind it. For example, if I post a link to a survey site that offers extra points for referrals, I'll probably use my referral link. So, if you sign up through my link, I may benefit. I'm also looking into becoming an Amazon Affiliate if I happen to link to great deals I come across on Amazon. After all, if they are making money from me, why shouldn't I get a little piece of the pie?

Quite frankly I've never done a blog disclosure before as I've never posted links that offered any value aside from the information provided, but since I ran across this post on Mashable, it seemed like a good idea. (By the way, I'm not getting anything from this link!) I particularly like the "Writer Got Fed" illustration. For the full set, check out the louis gray blog post.

I'm thinking I just may have to snag those later on. With full disclosure as to the source, of course!

A New Blog

After a couple years working contractually with a fantastic company as a freelance writer, blogger, copywriter, researcher, and anything-throw-my-way-er, I'm now at a bit of a loss. My health is to the point that I've applied for disability, and my previous go-to websites for writing appear to have gone the way of cheap international slave labor. So what's a gal to do?

(courtesy of  http://www.sxc.hu/)

Granted, I could dig through my old Purdue binders and sell my papers. I've noted quite a few opportunities to write research papers for college students. While I can't be held responsible for what a buyer does with my writing after it is out of my hands, if I have any suspicion whatsoever that it will be used in this manner, I feel that I have a moral obligation NOT to pursue the opportunity.

For multiple reasons I am unable to work outside the home. Add to that the randomness of any energy and attention span I may have, plus the fact that I'm allergic to my laptop, and regular work online is simply out of the question.

Which leaves me with... what? Well, that's what this blog is all about! There are approximately 2.5 bajillion pay per whatever websites out there, and while I don't intend to try them all, I do intend to share whatever experiences I do have for anyone else in similar situations.

Since I can't go anywhere anymore and my dietary needs are absurdly specific, I've been ordering a lot from Amazon.com and other online websites, so I'll be sharing any super-awesome deals I come across along the way. So, strap on your seat belt, as it may be a bumpy ride!