A little creativity can go a long way in making money doing things you enjoy. Take a look at some of the suggestions here, then think about the ways you can get paid for doing what you love to do.
Get paid for shopping: Mystery shopping is a great way to earn money in your spare time by providing valuable customer service feedback to businesses. It’s flexible and fun, and anyone can do it. The most important quality you need is to be trustworthy. It also helps to be observant and have good writing skills. Mystery shopping happens all over the world, so there are probably mystery shops in your neighborhood right now. For more information, get a copy of The Mystery Shopper’s Handbook made http://www.idealady.com/. The book includes a list of 150 companies that hire buyers in the US and Canada and around the world, along with lots of insider tips.
Get paid to speak: You’ve seen these people handing out samples at the grocery store or demonstrating a product at the home fair. They get paid to do that, and you can too. To be good at this, you need an outgoing personality. You have to be willing to talk and get people to try what you’re offering, grab a coupon, or watch your demo. You can find these jobs by looking at help wanted ads in your local newspaper. For more information, see http://www.narms.com/.
Get paid to party: Direct sales companies like Tupperware, Pampered Chef, and others offer a great way to earn extra money or start a lucrative new career. You get paid to go to parties, do product demos, and take orders. You set your own hours, so you can fit work into your life, not try to fit life around a job. For more information, see the direct selling association http://www.dsa.org/.
Don’t you want to be a sales rep? You can get free products by hosting a party at your house. Look for a local representative in your phone book and ask how you can earn free products by hosting a party.
Get paid to be in the movies: You don’t have to live in Hollywood to be an extra in a movie or TV show. Your city or state probably has a film commission where you can get information on upcoming productions. Do an Internet search for “film commission” and your city or state to find them. My local film commission regularly lists opportunities to be an extra in movies or TV shows, be a crew member on an independent film, or even get paid to be in the audience for a TV show.
Get paid to drive: If it seems like you’re always in your car, or if your car is often parked in a high-traffic area, you can use it to earn money by painting it with an ad. Advertisers look at what kind of car you drive, its condition, where and how much you drive, how many people see the car when it’s parked, and other factors when choosing cars for these promotions. If you and your car are what they’re looking for, they’ll pay you to display your ad on your car. (More information: http://www.autowraps.com/)
Get paid for your opinions – Participating in focus groups and other market research does not provide regular income, and there are often limits on how often you can participate. However, I have a lot of opinions, and I’m always happy when I get paid for them! I’ve been paid for opinions on music, clothing, and even the scent of a laundry product. You can increase your chances of being selected by signing up with market research companies. Check your phone book or local shopping center to find one in your area.
There are also many places online where you can get paid to write opinions or reviews, or to complete surveys. Make sure you understand how you will be paid before spending too much time on this. Many sites pay in credits that can only be redeemed with them, but some pay in cash.
Get paid to do your thing – When you can earn money doing something you love to do, it doesn’t feel like a job at all. My main career consists of speaking and writing, both of which I enjoy. I also got paid for my opinions, made money as a mystery shopper, and was a movie extra! Use your imagination to find ways to earn money while doing what you enjoy. I call it “Renewal-Only” and that’s how I’ve made a living for over eight years. Do you love animals? Start a pet sitting or dog walking service. If you like crafts, dancing, or playing an instrument, you may be able to teach a class or offer private instruction to people who want to learn what you know. For more information on solo entrepreneurwatch http://www.idealady.com/solo.htm.
General Information – When considering any of these opportunities, make sure you understand what you will be asked to do and how you will be compensated. Then you can decide if it’s worth your time and effort.
Beware of paying to appear in the databases. Some companies charge you to apply with no guarantee of work. You may be paying for a legitimate opportunity, or you may just be saying goodbye to $20 or more. Find out what you’ll get before you pay a fee.
You probably won’t get rich doing these things, but you can get paid to do things you enjoy. Even if you don’t make a million dollars, your life will be richer because of the joy and satisfaction you get from your work, and you’ll have at least a few extra dollars in your pocket!