Guest post from Anna of Real Ways to Earn
Let’s face it — phone jobs are fairly common in the work-from-home world. A quick “work-from-home” keyword search on any popular job site will likely bring you pages and pages of results for phone-oriented work.
The obvious downside to phone jobs is that many people have legit reasons for not being able to do them. Maybe you have a loud background at home due to kids or pets. Maybe you’re hearing impaired. Maybe you don’t have a land line phone — or any phone — and can’t get one. Maybe you simply aren’t a people person and the idea of talking to strangers on the phone all day doesn’t appeal to you. Or maybe it’s a combination of all of the above!
Gratefully, there are quite a few non-phone options out there if a work-at-home phone job just isn’t in the cards for you. Here are 6 different options:
1. Chat Support
Chat-based customer support is the same as phone support, the obvious difference being that instead of helping customers via live conversation, you’re doing so via chat and email so it is completely non-phone.
Apple and Needle are two reputable companies that are frequently hiring chat agents to work at home.
2. Search Engine Evaluation
This type of work is also referred to as “Google Rating.” The work is more complex than I can explain in a few sentences, but to sum up, you are basically helping to ensure that major search engines like Google and Bing are providing the absolute best results possible for every search query typed in.
People who tend to excel at search engine evaluation are usually very internet savvy, good at doing online research, and well-versed in popular culture.
Some reputable companies to consider for search evaluation include Leapforce, Lionbridge, and Appen.
3. Freelance Writing
Freelance writers take on writing assignments from either personal clients or through content sites, blogs, and so forth. The great thing about freelance writing is that it’s one of the most flexible non-phone jobs out there. You can work any time of the day or night and take as many breaks as you need provided that deadlines are met.
Two companies that are almost always accepting new writers are Textbroker and Demand Media. However, you’ll earn the most money as a writer if you work to find private clients so you can set your own rates.
4. Transcription
Transcribers listen to audio files and type what they hear. While this may sound easy enough, it actually requires a lot of patience and concentration. Simply put, not everyone is cut out for it. It’s one of those things you just have to try out and see if it’s a fit for you.
The three most common types of transcription are general, medical, and legal. General is the easiest type of transcription to break into as a beginner because many companies will consider you with no past experience.
Verbal Ink, Focus Forward, and Quicktate are a few reputable companies with regular openings.
5. Test Scoring
As a remote test scorer, you’ll be scoring student’s standardized tests and essays. This is usually project-based work. In most cases, you’ll need at minimum a college degree to qualify. Some companies may require that you have a teaching degree, too.
Reputable companies that frequently have home-based scoring openings include Pearson and ETS.
6. Virtual Assisting
Virtual assistants have clients who need help with day to day things and provide that help — virtually. While it’s true that there are many virtual assistants who do phone work, not all do.
Most virtual assistants have different skill sets and the work they do will revolve around these skills, such as writing, graphic design, or social media management.
Some well-known companies that regularly hire virtual assistants include Fancy Hands and Worldwide 101. You can also go into business for yourself as a VA and get some private clients. That’s usually the most lucrative route.
As you can see, there are plenty of non-phone options in the work from home world! Hopefully these suggestions will have you doing some serious thinking about which industry you should pursue for non-phone work and be well on your way to getting started.
What about you? Do you have a non-phone work at home job you love?
Anna Thurman is a work at home mom and blogger. She’s been researching and writing about work from home jobs since 2010. Her findings are published via her website, Real Ways to Earn.
I just started working at home. I teach English to Chinese students via the Internet and I love it. I set my hours, receive bonuses, and I have a lot of fun. I teach pretty early, but doing so allows me to teach while my children are sleeping. You do need a bachelors degree and experience with children. If anyone is interested here is the link:
http://teacher-recruitment.vipkid.com.cn/home.shtml
Check out Rev.com for video transcription work. You work when you want. It’s a great company.
Also, flexjobs.com is great, esp if you have a degree or good experience.
Just another thought, that if you already have a degree in something, look for opportunities there. I am a nurse and never realized there are work from home opportunities in that field. I say work FROM home because I do make home visits, but 75% of my job is in my home office, on the phone. Work from home nursing jobs include phone triage, case management, insurance work, or, in my case, managing a Medicaid program.
I’m a nurse also and would like to know what company you work for because I’m really looking for some sort of income to supplement my 1 patient case. Do you have to have a certain amount of experience? I’m a LPN with just under 1 year of experience. Thanks
SO happy I found this article! Thank you! I hope I can find a WAH job that works for me… I would love an extra income for savings and I can’t imagine giving up being at home when my kids go to school and come home!
I quit my 9-5 after over twenty years of reception work and became a registered NYS home daycare provider. I’m now able to stay home with my three boys. Two of them are in school most of the day, but I get them on and off the bus; I love sending them off with a blessing each morning and a big hug when they get home!
I have done several of these. I did search engine evaluating for Google for 1 year (at that time you could only do 1 year, not sure how it is now). The money was great and the work was pretty easy but it’s temporary so that kind of stunk.
I was a classroom teacher prior to my first child being born 8 years ago so I have done scoring for ETS as well. It was relatively mind-numbing but again, decent money. It’s seasonal and you only work when testing season has taken place, and you have to schedule shifts that are for specific times, it’s not like you work whenever you want. Spaces filled up very quickly, I would usually stay up until midnight the day testing opened to be one of the first to get my preferred shifts.
I tutored with Educate Online for about 4 years (my first WAH job). They were owned by Sylvan and it was live online tutoring using the prescribed content. The pay was pretty low ($10 per hour) but I used it as a foot-in-the-door opportunity to get into virtual learning.
Now I work for a large virtual school full time. I have been here over 4 years, first as an online teacher and now in curriculum. I feel like I paid my dues for about 6 years WAH at low paying gigs and building my resume. I think one misconception is that you can just jump into a full time at-home gig and that is false. It took me years of working my way into the industry, building expertise, and patching together part time work before I landed a full time online from-home job. Having said that, it was 100% worth it and I remind myself regularly how fortunate I am to be in my current position and have the freedom to be here when my kids need me.
Hang in there ladies.. there are so many opportunities out there!
What is the name of the virtual school? I work for ETS and have wanted to get into virtual school for a while.
These are great! I do agree that Demand’s editors are super picky, and that you are given very little direction for your writing.
I’ve recently started selling Rodan + Fields and am LOVING it. My skin looks amazing, I’ve made new friends, and have been able to contribute to our family and ministry a little more each month! If anyone is interested feel free to email me via my website!
https://daniellecevallos.myrandf.biz
Awesome ideas! Love seeing how families are able to stay home together, with no pressure & stress of a 9-5 if they desire not to have one! That’s just one of the reasons why I love my company, I’m a stay at home wife now and still paying off our debt with my income & bonuses, not to mention will be able to help my husband retire at 27 from his job if he desires to! Best part, I do all of my work from my computer in my pj’s! 😉 It’s such a blessing to have this freedom financially & freedom of my time, and I love working for a Christian company who wants their people to be debt free!
simplejoyworks.com
I do work as a consultant and writing coach.
I also keep a blog: http://everydaymindfulliving.com/
And help people to learn about essential oils (which is SO much fun): http://everydaymindfulliving.com/store/essential-oils/
If anyone know’s something for stay home dad I will appreciate the info. We really need an extra income!!
Thank you for posts like these! Although I enjoy my work with Avon as my main source (and it usually does require a phone!) I’m always on the lookout for other ways to add to my streams of income.~TJ
Has anyone worked for Pearson doing the at home scoring ?! I’m interested in this but don’t want to enter my info until I know what I’m getting myself into !!
I applied with Pearson last year but have never received a response other than an automated message this year asking me to update my information if I still wanted to be considered.
I sell Thirty One Gifts as an independent consultant and have been very success with almost all online parties and orders. Seems like Facebook parties are starting to replace the in home parties for direct sales.
My direct website is : http://www.mythirtyone.com/abbeylwebb
Do any of these jobs apply to stay at home dads? If not does anyone know of any good ones? Any advice would be great.
Vanessa – I’m sure these would all work just fine for stay at home dads, too.
Thanks for posting this article, Crystal. I worked for ETS years ago, and didn’t know that they did online scoring now. They were a great employer!
Although I also work for my corporate job (by choice), I love running my online business. Online business gives so many great opportunities and I can do what I love. Part of my online business includes VA work as well and I have to say it pays off very well. When customers are happy, so am I. The other part includes also business plan evaluations and website evaluations. These are all non-phone jobs and so far I only communicate with clients through e-mails and it seems to work well.
Thank you for sharing this info. . I would love to fig into it and hopefully I can do something like that. I need desperately an extra income and so does my husband
These are great ideas! I work for a fair trade company that uses fashion and design to create economic opportunity for the vulnerable. Noonday Collection employees partner artisans in 12 countries, as they hand make accessories allowing them to have dignified work at livable wages. I love being a part of this movement, advocating for families across the globe, styling women and being a part of a community that cares for issues of social justice. You can checkout more at:http://www.noondaycollection.com/pws/lauraloewen/tabs/join.aspx or feel free to email me at: laura@lifeasaloewen.com. <3
I have been a part-time freelancer for years – it’s a tough business! I love that a few ladies have shared their MLM/direct sales info. I had no idea how much of a blessing these opportunities are until I joined Purium. I have $50 coupons to share – to try a product or even put toward a membership package. My kids and I drink the apple-berry Power Shake, a whole foods drink with organic wheat grass. I also whole-heartedly recommend the 10-day transformation to eliminate inflammation, support weight loss, and profoundly change your perspective on the way we eat. Go to mypuriumgift.com and enter HEALTHRN to activate the coupon and browse the product, the company, and the opportunity.
I have worked for ETS for over five years part time in addition to teaching. I have loved the extra income and flexible shifts. You are paid more if you have a teaching degree.
Great options for working at home without having to be on the phone all day! Depending on the skills you possess, you can always do freelance work or consulting as well.
I sell Jamberry nails wraps from home! I do Facebook parties at night and have made money, friends and always have pretty nails! I love it!
http://Sharise.jamberrynails.net
Does anyone have any experience with needle that was mentioned? It’s not a company I have ever heard of, so I’m not sure about giving my info if they don’t pay well, etc. Thanks!
@Lori – If you do a search on Glassdoor, you’ll see that Needle has about a 2.7 out of 5 on worker reviews. There have been some bad reviews left along with some good ones, but it’s important to keep in mind that people are usually quicker to complain than they are to praise when it comes to leaving reviews, etc.
I do have a friend who’s been handling chats for the Coach brand for Needle for a few years and she loves it. I think it will ultimately depend on what brand you’re doing the chats for because the way it works varies depending on the brand.
Good luck if you decide to give it a try!
Great ideas! My hope and prayer is to take my blog and make a business out of it. Right now, I just am trying to continue to post. In time, I hope it will be both a ministry and work from home job. My goal is to inspire others to live debt free and help them save money – all while enjoying all things home!
I was an at-home medical transcriptionist for over 12 years. The times have definitely changed and most hospitals are moving to voice recognition, thus making this career obsolete. The transcriptioning departments for two of the hospitals in our city that I worked for have completely shut down – eliminating many, many jobs. This responsibility is now being turned over to doctors to do themselves. I don’t like to be a bearer of bad news, but most colleges are no longer even offering transcriptioning courses.
I sell Lilla Rose hair clips and I’m never on the phone because I sell them strictly through my blog! It’s been SUCH a blessing, and I love the products! The company never pressures you, and is fantastic to work with. If anyone is interested you can find out more info here: http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2015/07/join-lilla-rose-during-the-free-shipping-special/
When my son was young I watched another little boy everyday. It was the perfect job! I was much cheaper than daycare, so the other family could save money. I made some money and still was home with my son, plus my son had a built in friend that he could play with everyday.
I’m not sure I’d call freelance writing a non-phone job. I’m on the phone all the time interviewing people! Those interviews have to be arranged and scheduled, which means I need childcare during the times they’re happening. The writing part is flexible, but the research part may be less so.
I think that depends on the type of writing you do. Not all writing requires phone interviews. It varies from one writer to the next, although your point is valid!
Another potential position would be managing social media for businesses.
I agree, Laura! Unless writing for “writing mills”, most article writing requires research, and research usually involves talking directly to sources. Even worse (depending on your level of shyness), some interviews require video chatting.
Writing is definitely a job that can be done remotely. But it often does involve talking on the phone.
Pamela La Gioia
That is so true. I started a freelance writing business after graduation and after my daughter was born it was too hard to do. I couldn’t find sitters for all the interviews! So now I’m working for Leapforce because I can log in whenever my kids are gone or sleeping.
I’m an independent contractor doing freelance writing and have done so for six years, four of those full-time. There are considerable tax implications. You may also need to turn yourself into an LLC for legal reasons, especially if you’re writing under your own name and giving any sort of advice or instructions. You also need to do a lot of research about how and when you’ll be paid. I worked for Demand Studios Media in the past and found it wasn’t worthwhile. I would spend an hour or two researching plus another hour writing, only to get back a rewrite request that wanted a totally different tone or topic around the article. If you don’t do the rewrite or if they reject the piece, you don’t get paid.
I’ve been freelancing full-time for 6 years and have never heard of an LLC being suggested for writers. However, I have been warned by editors to use a lot of “mays,” “coulds” and “no guarantees” in my work.
I agree about Demand Media though. I’ve never written for them but from everything I’ve heard from other people, it might just be the fastest way to burn out of freelancing. Lots of requirements, picky editors and little pay.
Like Laura, I spend a lot of time on the phone. My highest-paying gig right now requires 3-4 interviews per article. Of course, there are all sorts of jobs available and not all require phone calls.
I will also attest to the picky editors on Demand Media… I freelanced for them as a nutrition writer. My first few articles worked out well, but then their editors started getting picky about things that they hadn’t knit picked about in the past and were not clear in the article specifications. I wasted a lot of time and effort. I am an example of being burned out as a freelancer due to Demand Media 🙂
I was an at-home medical transcriptionist for 15 years. As a general rule, you need 2-years experience and a quiet environment. If you are shying away from at-home phone jobs because of household noise, you will probably have difficulty with at-home transcription as not all dictators are easily heard. Be prepared to work a regular set schedule, including a weekend day, on either 2nd or 3rd shift.
One thing to ask on all these would be if you will be considered an employee or an independent contractor. As an IC, you are responsible for paying the full FICA and Social Security taxes, where as an employee, only a part of the tax iis taken from your paycheck. Also as an IC, you don’t receive benefits, so no paid holidays, vacation, or health insurance. Just something to be aware of!
I did medical transcription for 23 years and Carolyn posted great points. One I would like to add is to check out what kind of equipment is being used for the dictation. In recent years more and more people are using their phones for dictation which makes for very clear dictation; however, the downside to that is that many people are soft talkers and you have to turn to volume up to hear them. If you have the volume turned up high and their phone starts to ring or they get text alerts and the volume on their phone ringer is still on high, then you get a sudden, jarring loud noise going right into your ear through your headset. I worked for a doctor who did this repeatedly and within weeks I started having hearing loss from the loud noise.
Sounds like they need an app for that.