Clickworking is a simple method to earn a few extra bucks over the internet. The task area consists of the execution of small tasks and the creation of texts. I was able to keep up with it in Brazil for a while.
I like to call it freelancing light, because the payment is quite low, but on the other hand it also offers some advantages.
What Is Clickworking?
Companies often need texts and structured data to create product catalogs or for market research. The workload can be enormous, for example when tens of thousands of article descriptions have to be created, or hundreds of thousands of addresses must be checked or supplemented.
This work is also usually unique and limited in time. The results must be available quickly, and there is often no further demand after completion of the task. It is therefore not worthwhile for companies to hire their own staff.
This makes clickworking platforms interesting for these companies. They have many users and software that splits an order into hundreds or thousands of small microjobs. These microjobs can be processed by clickworkers and they receive a small fee for each completed task.
Advantages
The advantage over normal freelance work is that clickworkers do not have to struggle to find jobs, nor do they have to build up a long-term reputation. Normally, they just have to pass an easy test. If a microjob turns out to be too difficult, it can simply be cancelled without any negative consequences.
Disadvantages
The disadvantage for clickworkers is the low payment. Data accumulations vary between 5 and 10 cents per microjob. Texts are paid on average with one cent per word. This can sometimes be more, depending on the urgency and pressure of the contracting company, but it does not happen very frequently.
Who Can Profit From It?
Due to the low payment, clickworking is not profitable for everyone. It can help providing a few extra dollars, but it will be hard making a living with it, except for people who live in a country with a low average income.
Freelancers can fill the gaps between better paid freelance jobs. There is no need to do any job interviews, leave the apartment, or meet strict working hours.
For two hours of work per day, a salary of $100 per month is possible. Higher earnings are possible, too but not everyone can do it.
When Do Clickworkers Get Paid?
Clickworkers are paid out when they reach a certain payout threshold. It is usually around $10. The money is wired directly to the bank account. Vouchers or gifts are not customary as payment.
What Are The Best Platforms?
I am registered with Clickworker and Textbroker.
clickworker.com
Clickworker.com is usually named as the largest platform. There are lots of microjobs and there is always work available.The disadvantage is that a text often has to go through several revisions, which costs considerably more time than expected before. I also find the briefings sometimes a bit inaccurate or even contradictory. Apart from that I have only made positive experiences.
textbroker.com
Textbroker.com limits itself to texts and sorts them into different categories. The offer is good, however, the briefings are sometimes passed directly by the client and can be very confusing. Many tutorials, trainings and information on writing are offered to help authors improve their writing skills.
How To Become A Successful Clickworker
It always takes some time to get into a new job. Until then, the results must be checked very carefully. This can of course extend the processing time for a microjob considerably longer than imagined. But it becomes routine very quickly.
Mistakes occur, of course. There are important points in the instructions missed, or a topic even completely failed. This is not a big deal. The quality manager will request a correction and that’s it usually. Sometimes they just ask to pay more attention to the briefing next time.
Over time, I have realized that I work much more structured, especially when writing texts. At the beginning, I wrote down texts from top to bottom. Meanwhile, I structure paragraphs with headings first, set the approximate number of words per paragraph, and collect material. After I have built this scaffolding, I start writing the text.
In this way, a 600-word-length text can be divided, for example, into four handy pieces of 150 words each. It is much easier to write 150 words at once than 600.
Conclusion
Clickworking is poorly paid and surely no comparison to a “normal” job. However, it can be a welcome source of income, especially in countries where the average income is very low. And it is a good way to improve your own writing skills.