Freelancing Resources
Freelance Work Exchange
Guru.com
eLance
Craigslist
|
|
|
One of those jobs many people don’t really think of when they think “freelance” is that of the freelance researcher. Yet someone who knows how to find information online and through other sources.
Companies hire freelance researchers because it makes more sense to pay someone outside the company to do this kind of work in many cases. If you want to work at home, this is to your advantage.
These jobs aren’t always easy to find, but it’s not impossible. Try eLance as well as reputable, private work at home job sites such as Telework Recruiting.
Some companies regularly hire researchers. When dealing with unfamiliar companies, do a little research before signing on with them. Bad companies often get talked about pretty freely. Don’t assume that a lack of negative information means a company is in the clear. It could be a new company. Know how to check out a company thoroughly. Consider it practice research.
A good researcher is very creative. He or she knows how to find all kinds of information quickly, not always using the most obvious sources. If just anyone could do this, after all, you’d be out of a job. You’ll also need good organizational skills and the ability to present the results of your research in a way that it is easy for others to understand.
You will need a computer with an internet connection. Working at the computers in the library won’t be good enough over time. A high speed internet connection is strongly recommended.
You should already know some great online research sources. I suggest you organize your Favorites file or Bookmarks very well, so that you can find the appropriate sources very quickly. I suggest having a reasonable selection before you even start looking for jobs, and being ready to increase your collection over time. Be sure you know the difference between a good and a poor quality resource.
This is not one of the highest paying freelancing opportunities out there, but it’s not bad. Try for about $10-15 per hour at first, increasing as you become more skilled. The better the researcher you are, after all, the faster and more thoroughly you will get the work done, deserving more pay.
The best pay can be had by specializing, as with most freelance jobs. If you find some great resources or find you prefer researching in a particular area, try specializing in it. You can ask for more money with a solid specialization.
Working as a freelance researcher can be a good work at home job. There’s a lot of flexibility, but there can also be important deadlines and you need a way to keep things professional. Think these things over and plan well as you get started.