Flexible Working Life

A few weeks ago, I posted up an opportunity about working as a web based text researcher. As I’ve never actually done the job, the information I had on it was pretty limited. But now, thanks to Paul, who works full time from home as a web based researcher, here is a little more about what the job is really like.

———————————————————————

Last week Flexible Working Life posted an article on working as a web based researcher. As I work full time as a Texpert for Texperts I’d like to give a little more information about what the job entails.

The service revolves around customers texting a question from their mobile phones to 66000 and getting an answer in minutes, charged at £1. The charge means that customers can get an accurate answer from a real human, and some of that money is used to pay researchers a decent wage. It isn’t a way to get rich quick, but it pays a realistic wage unlike dabbing with online surveys, and it is zero risk which can’t be said for buying stock to sell on Ebay.

The best part about the work is the variety, as questions can be on any topic. Sports results, film & music trivia, directory enquiries and travel timetables form the bulk of the questions but anything goes as long as it is legal. A question on astrophysics might be followed by “who would win in a fight between a whale and a bear” followed by recommendations for a romantic restaurant in Milan – it never gets boring.

Although some researchers have PhD’s it is really breadth of knowledge that is important, many Texperts have done a dozen different jobs and lived in several countries. Many people think they would make a good researcher as they enjoy surfing the web and can use Google but that is just the start of it. All answers have to be backed up by a reliable authoritative source, and the customer has to be given good value for money within the space of a text message, without compromising on spelling, grammar or lapsing into text speak.

Pay is based on speed so to succeed as a researcher it is vitally important to forget you are working from home and treat the workspace as an office, or the amount of money earned soon goes down.

The best part about the job is the flexible hours. Many researchers work part time and fit it around childcare requirements, another job or study. As a full timer I’ve tried many different work patterns and find working two full days at the weekend then a few hours every evening means I have 5 days free to make the most of what little daylight there is in winter.

Not having to commute has saved plenty in time and money (plus staying dry in the winter), and not having to have a suit or live off Pret A Manger lunches has saved a small fortune. Working from home is better than any office, although there is some outlay – to keep productivity high I’ve splashed out on a new computer.

Nearly all web researcher jobs are self employed, which means registering with HMRC but that is fairly painless. Bear in mind that holiday & sick pay isn’t covered, but then I can work from anywhere with a wifi connection, minor ailments that may have stopped me commuting don’t stop me working at home, and some expenses can be claimed back.