Online surveys, mystery shoppers, scams?
Readers Question: I am a stay at home mum and I am keen to earn some extra income but I am not comfortable putting my daughter into childcare. I would love some assistance with work from home options. I have read about online surveys, mystery shoppers, but which ones are scams and can you earn a decent income. What are the other options?
Answer: This is a great question because I have come to learn, since starting Hire My Mum, that mothers all over the world are looking for the same thing, a genuine work from home job or business. There are many many opportunities out there, some are scams but I strongly believe in the age old rule … if it is too good to be true then, it is too good to be true!
If you ask one of these people promoting personal development products, telling you that your annual income will become your monthly income, ask them if they are making their annual income every month, they ‘always’ reply well, no, but I know someone who is … These systems rely on people who are keen to change their lives, and become motivated very quickly by the idea of a better financial life. After all we all want that don’t we?
Needless to say I have trialled a lot of systems just to see for myself if they are a scam or not … more often than not they are a scam. But things like surveys and mystery shoppers are quite genuine, however I never personally made any money out of them, surveys usually have a minimum withdrawal amount and interchange commission with reward points etc so it ends up being quite hard to earn much money if any.
The typing ads or filling in forms is my favourite scam, because not only do you wear the cost of the Google ads you are typing you also pay them for the privilege of doing so ??? *scratches head*. Also if you don’t know anything about Google Adwords and pay per click advertising then it can cost you a lot more money than you ever planned. It is much like playing the pokies, addictive and expensive. Please note those scams have nothing to do with Google other than the scammers using Google as their vehicle.
Finding a work from home job is hard work, I know! I made a business out of doing that. But they are out there and the key to success is flexibility. You are not always going to find the ideal job, but if you are prepared to do outbound or inbound telesales, internet researching etc, then there are jobs that will enable you to work from home, or even during school hours. Increasingly there are more services like mine that help mothers find work from home jobs on the internet, or you can approach local businesses directly and let them know you are available.
As I mentioned above the main thing mothers all over the world have been looking for is a genuine work from home job or business. This was the driving force for me to build and launch my new online business, called BiziMums. It has been set up to help mothers find a unique business idea, and set up an online business of her own. When I had the idea for Hire My Mum, it cost me a total of $123.00 to get started, so I want to show other women how to start an online business that is creative, fun and most importantly rewarding. My goal is to help 100 mothers start an online business in 2009.
There are plenty of people offering business ideas or systems, but you have to pay before you even get to see what you might be getting into. So it is up to you to use your best judgment when assessing opportunities, and trusting the women you have seen around you who are already running successful online businesses like Mumzone, copy their systems and you will be on the right track.
PS: There is no quick way to cash … even online marketers that launch a new product and rakes in 1.5 million in 2 hours (and they happen all the time) have been slogging at their business for many years to get to that stage. If it is too good to be true, then it is.
Warm regards
Leigh
Provided By Mum Zone – Resources for Mums www.mumszone.com.au
Oh dear, I have a fair few comments (sorry), but I think they are accurate.
Scams: “freedom to work your own hours” really seem to slip through legislation IMO. I read: low $ – hidden hours – huge prep. & setup, pressure to go to poor quality meetings, risky payment structures. “Get out there and create a market for our brand” attitudes.
Even in my area of consulting/training there are still plenty of companies who would offer me a “better life” using “their” brand. e.g. I get a (hidden?) benefit as a sort-of employee. As long as I source clients, scope the work, design the product, close the sale, deliver the service, review the feedback, create constant improvements, help them market, carry lots of “small” costs – like phone calls, internet, paper, printing etc. Oh, I forgot, I hand over my intellectual property also for their brand. No thanks.
I recommend:
Cut your own path in an area of great, deep interest to you. There is a way to make income from almost any passion, even if you set up a not for profit organisation!
If appropriate, subcontract to learn new skills, but do what you can to leverage your own ideas.
Seek good alliances & partnerships, synergies and offer praise and encouragement at all times.
Be tough, but also cut yourself some slack when you go wrong.
Be tough, learn to take feedback as a sign of someone’s respect abnd care for your future development. Other people’s difficulties may be your opportunity.
Online businesses are wonderful, you may need some help though intially.
Many things are easier than they seem, even importing or exporting.
Focus on quality and a unique position, not price cutting.
Be creative, energetic, and inquisitive.
Don’t over-capitalise on equipment via rentals. Small payments can be a burden if affected by sudden cashflow drops. It can ruin a new SME and the tax benefit is minimal if there is no cashflow… wait, then upgrade.
Go to your local Council Ec.Dev. Officer & get referred to the huge number of very good value programs available, through multiple Government depts., join networks, read and ask a lot of questions.
Offer trials and/or easy payment options to help people “try”.
Set operational, budgetary and marketing plans.
Model your successful future on the methodologies of a few specifically talented people, even in different industries.
Hope this is useful.