Last Updated on October 23, 2023 by Lori Pace
Emails, emails, emails, it’s like they never stop, choppy waves on an ocean of information. The more connected we are, the more demand for our attention. It seems like a no-brainer then. In our hyper-connected, tech-driven world, there’s got to be a way to get paid to answer emails!
In a manner of speaking, there is, but it’s a little more complicated than that.
How Can I Get Paid To Answer Emails?
Answering emails will most likely form part of a greater network of online tasks you will be asked to fulfill by a client, and thankfully, the more tasks you can complete, the higher your potential wage can be.
Enter the Virtual Assistant.
What It Means To Be A Virtual Assistant And Get Paid To Answer Emails?
A virtual assistant is basically a secretary, only much better because you can do it anywhere, and you are doing it as an independent contractor.
Tasks that you will be asked to complete will more than likely include:
- Answering emails and calls
- Responding to customer requests
- Organizing emails into folders
- Planning meetings and appointments
- Sifting through unimportant emails and forwarding necessary information to the client.
Being the best Virtual Assistant can require you to have some important skills:
- Good Oral communication so that everyone can well understand you and your client
- Great computer skills, because all of your work exists online
- Discipline and self-motivation. As an independent contractor, your work ethic is your livelihood.
- Effective decision-making and quick thinking
Virtual assistance is a relatively easy way to make good money once you have found your clients.
Take a look at these sites to understand better the types of clients you can expect to find.
We’ll go into the steps you need to take to secure clients soon, but first, let’s look at other email-based work you can find.
Customer Service Emails, Calls, And Chats
Companies exist because of people, and companies cannot continue to exist if the people they serve are unhappy.
And that is where you come in.
To help customers, you must be knowledgeable in the field you are employed in. Spend time researching the field you will be working in and looking for companies that align with your interests. (We’ll get more into this in a minute)
There are heaps of small to medium companies that need help with this type of work in sites like https://za.indeed.com/?r=us.
This work can be taxing on a person, but it can earn you fairly easy money if you get it right. Make sure it is worth your while by taking advantage of remote and freelance work benefits.
“Get Paid To Read Emails” Websites
This is an interesting corner of the internet, and while it will probably never take over your normal income, these websites can help supplement your income. And all money is good money.
Basically, these sites send out emails filled with marketing content, and those who read them are paid to do so. (The last paid to read the email I saw was worth 0.02 cents). Take it for what it is and put the money you make from these sites towards building the skills you need to progress in another field of remote work.
Or spend it on holiday, that is also allowed.
You can find sites like this here:
Fishing For Clients: An Online Guide
As the old saying goes, there is a lot of fish in the sea. Baiting one is easy if you have the right hook for the job!
Working as an independent contractor is just like this, you are dropping hooks in multiple locations, hoping someone will see your work as a tasty morsel of knowledge and pay you for more. But there is no point using the incorrect hooks to bait a client; instead, do this:
Understand your niche and ask your network
Find out the types of work and the types of companies you want to work for.
Use your previous experience and knowledge base to guide you here. Everyone loves an expert, and you can reasonably ask for more money if you are an expert in a particular industry. Ask around in these fields if anyone needs a virtual assistant, and be ready to back your skills when potential work comes through.
List yourself on freelance job sites and Job Boards
Sites like Upwork, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter act like buoys in a harbor, guiding you towards potential employers while guiding you away from hours of anxiety-provoking cold-emailing to companies not suited to you.
Continually update your information here to ensure you remain current and up-to-date.
It takes some getting used to making these sites work for you, but they are well worth the effort.
Create your own website
See this as your own personal Lighthouse, helping potential clients see you in the fog that is the online world.
Fill your website with information about yourself, your work portfolio, previous experiences, and personal interests. Include professional references onto your site and contact details for clients to reach you at, as well as a few favorable pictures of yourself.
When you are applying for work, include a link to this website. It’s a piece of valuable self-marketing that shows you in a light you can curate. It also shows a level of professionalism and commitment that can set you apart from others applying for the same jobs.
If all else fails, call it in.
Find companies that you want to work with and get in contact with them. Give them a call, send them an email, visit their offices if it is nearby and sell yourself to them. This can be quite nerve-racking, but it will place you in the minds of a potential employer.
One Last Thing About Get Paid To Answer Emails
Consistency is key when trying to make email answering a full-time career. It would help if you were flexible enough to take on many different tasks but firm enough to know when they may exploit you.
The chances are you will not receive the money you feel you deserve at the start of your career, but if you keep at it, your experience will begin to shine through. Keep looking for new avenues of work, even after you receive a contract, and strive for excellence in your work.
Don’t be afraid to go out there and look for the work you want; now is your chance!
