Author: Odette Fernandez

Best Online Teaching Jobs

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Online teaching jobs are all the rage right now. If you’ve considered teaching online, this is definitely the time to do it. The pandemic has shown educators that they’re capable of more than they ever thought possible. So many have discovered they actually really enjoy teaching online. So that begs the question – where are the best online teaching jobs? And what are the best companies to work for?

In this article, you’ll learn all about the top 5, absolute best teaching jobs out there. Then, pick the path that’s best for you!

Let’s get into it.

Best Online Teaching Jobs

Online Teaching Jobs with Magic Ears

Being a teacher for Magic Ears seriously is one of the best online teaching jobs out there in 2020.

This online ESL company doesn’t get enough love.

Firstly, it’s important to note that Magic Ears is one of the highest online English teaching jobs out there!

Did that get your attention? Good, because there’s more.

Secondly, their platform is super fun and engaging. Kids love using it, and teachers enjoy facilitating instruction with it.

Thirdly, they have a very flexible cancellation policy. This is especially great if you want to teach English online with multiple companies or teach full-time at a brick-and-mortar school.

As online teaching jobs go, Magic Ears is one of our favorite companies.

Requirements

To be hired, applicants must:

  • Passionate about teaching! The smiles should come through. 🙂
  • Be an English native speaker from the U.S. or Canada.
  • Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in any subject, or be a student actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree (must provide official transcript)
  • Have a 120-hour ESL Certification*
  • ESL/teaching experience preferred

Please note that they are currently holding California residents’ applications due to AB5 restrictions (as are most other companies that hire home-based, online English teachers).

Technology Requirements

After you consider your personal qualifications, you should consider the technology you have available to you.

  • Computer with: CPU: i5-6200 and newer generations.
  • At least 4GB RAM
  • Stable internet connection with: Upload speed: 5Mbps. Download speed: 20Mbps.
  • An “over-the-ears” headset with microphone.

Please note that teachers cannot use in-ear headphones to teach classes.

Application Process

This image is directly from their website, and it outlines the application process with Magic Ears:

When you apply, allow up to 2 business days for processing at each step.

Throughout the application process, there are two places where you can find updates on your application’s status:

  1. The email with which you applied (check your spam folder).
  2. The Teacher Portal

Once you start the application process on the teacher portal, you can use the “Contact Us” link in your portal to easily reach out to Magic Ears when needed.

Payment

The payment system for most online teaching companies can be a bit confusing.

Their base pay ranges from $7.50-$10 per class depending on qualifications.

With the two available bonuses, your base pay can rise to $9.50-$12 per class for a total of $19-$24/hr. Most online teachers with Magic Ears are earning between $17 and $26 per hour.

The photo below better explains the pay structure for Magic Ears:

top 5 online teaching jobs

 

Online Teaching Jobs with iTutor Group

iTutor definitely ranks as being one of the best online teaching jobs available in 2020!

One teacher in our group made over $1,000 in ten days, just from teaching online with iTutor Group.

Imagine what you could do in a month!

Unlike other online teaching jobs, the company schedules bookings for you.

This means it’s easy for new teachers to break into the market and earn quickly.

Requirements

To to be hired, applicants must:

  • Uniquely, iTutor Group does not require teachers to be native speakers.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher
  • TESL, TEFL, or TESOL certification
  • Minimum 5 hours of availability per week during peak times in China.

Please note that they are currently holding California residents’ applications due to AB5 restrictions (as are most other companies that hire home-based, online English teachers).

Technology Requirements

After you consider your personal qualifications, you should consider the technology you have available to you.

  • Desktop/Laptop PC: Intel Core2 Duo processor or better (no netbook or tablet).
  • Windows operating system: Windows 7 or 8 Internet Explorer web browser: Version 9 or higher. Mac: OS 10.11.12 or above (no iPad)
  • RAM: 2GB or more
  • Internet Speed: Minimum 800 Kbps download, and 500 Kbps upload wired internet connection: Cable, DSL, or Fiber Optics (no wireless connection).
  • Webcam: Either built-in or preferably high quality Creative, Logitech, or comparable.

Please note that teachers cannot use in-ear headphones to teach classes.

Application Process

The application process for iTutor Group is very straightforward.

  1. Apply (very quickly!)
  2. Select an interview time (you’ll be contacted if you pass the initial screening)
  3. You’ll hear back about your interview result quickly – usually, it’s a matter of days.
  4. Once you’re good to go, you’ll set your availability and start teaching!

Payment

Your payment includes a basic rate, with incentives added on top of that.

Performance bonuses compound upon each other each month, depending on some factors, including how students rate you and how often you teach.

Online Teaching Jobs with GoGo Kid

Online teachers who work with GoGo Kid often cite how much the company cares for its employees.

This is why we’ve included it on our best-of list of online teaching jobs for 2020.

Another factor that sets GoGo Kid apart is the fact that you can teach online with GoGo Kid from anywhere in the world, so long as you’re eligible to be hired with them.

GoGo Kid has some of the most flexible requirements of any online ESL teaching company out there. However, it also means it can be competitive.

Be sure that you read all of the requirements and follow all instructions correctly the first time!

Requirements

To teach online with GoGo Kid, applicants should:

  • Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Have at least one year of experience working with children
  • Have a stable internet connection
  • Be willing to communicate not only with the students but also with the parents.

Technology Requirements

After you consider your personal qualifications, you should consider the technology you have available to you.

  • System: Mac OS 10.8x or higher. Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, or higher.
  • Memory & CPU: At least 4GB RAM, Intel Core i3 above
  • HD External camera or HD integrated camera.
  • A headset with a microphone, stable output, and input
  • Wired DSL Internet Connection – at least 20 Mbps

Application Process

The application process for GoGo Kids is also very easy compared to other online teaching jobs out there.

  1. Complete an online application (Sign up + Basic Information)
  2. Schedule an interview
  3. Attend an orientation program
    • a. Orientation Quiz
    • b. One-to-Many Live Training Session
    • c. One-on-One Mock Class Training Session
  4. Submit the paperwork
  5. Sign the contract

Payment

Your payment includes a basic rate, with incentives added on top of that.

Performance bonuses compound upon each other each month, depending on several factors, including how students rate you and how often you teach.

Check out their payment matrix below:

Class Payment Per Class Remarks
Base Pay(Level 1) USD 7~10 based on your credentials and interview performance.
Base Pay(Level 2) USD 7~10 based on your credentials and interview performance.
Credit Score(Level 3) USD (7~10)+($1.5~$2)*100% Today’s Credit Score and Classes Completed Today
Credit Score(Level 4) USD (7~10)+($1.5~$2)*110% Today’s Credit Score and Classes Completed Today
Credit Score(Level 5) USD (7~10)+($1.5~$2)*125% Today’s Credit Score and Classes Completed Today
Total per one hour USD 14~25

 

Online Teaching Jobs with Q Kids

QKids is known in the online teacher world as having one of the most flexible cancellation policies.

Limited Attendance policies require 24-hour notice for schedule changes and a minimum of 5-hour notice to maintain overall attendance fee eligibility.

This makes it a great supplementary income stream for educators teaching online through other platforms.

The teaching style is also different, as everything is taught through games and play.

Requirements

To teach online with Q Kids, an applicant should be:

  • Eligible to legally work in the U.S. or Canada
  • Holding a Bachelor’s degree
  • Certified with a teaching license or holding an English teaching certificate (TESOL, TEFL, CELTA, ESL)
  • These are all required before lessons are assigned.

Technology Requirements

As it is with any online teaching company, technology requirements must be considered.

Here are the minimum technology requirements for those seeking online teaching jobs with Q Kids:

  • Minimum upload speed: 2Mbps. Minimum download speed: 4Mbps.
  • Test your speed here: http://www.speedtest.net/
  • *Cable connection is recommended.

Application Process

Here’s the application process with Q Kids:

  1. Apply with all required materials
  2. Initial screening
  3. Demo Interview 1
  4. Demo Interview 2
  5. Trial Classes & Background Check
  6. Secure your contract!

Payment

Q Kids has an involved pay structure, so see the full details laid out below:

  • $4 base pay for standby lessons (approximately 10 minutes with no teaching required).
  • $1 Performance incentive for each lesson based on family review
  • $1 Attendance Bonus for each lesson once a minimum of 15 lessons are taught in a week.

Online Teaching Jobs with VIP KID

Of course, I’d be remiss to exclude VIP KID when discussing online teaching jobs!

VIP KID is possibly the juggernaut of the industry.

On top of being one of the most popular TESL company, they also offer multiple revenue streams to teachers.

On top of teaching English online, you can earn incentives for completing classes and recruiting other people to become VIP KID teachers!

Requirements

To be eligible to apply for VIP KID, you must have:

  • A Bachelor’s degree (can be in any field)
  • Work authorization for the U.S. or Canada
  • Two years of experience teaching, coaching, tutoring, and/or mentoring
  • Highly reliable technology

Technology Requirements

Since VIP KID is such a well-established company, it has a reputation to uphold.

This means they have some pretty weighty technical requirements:

  • Desktop, Laptop, Macbook, iPad, or Microsoft Surface (no Chromebooks)
  • Windows 7, 8, and 10; Mac OS 10.X or higher operating system (Linux and Chrome OS are NOT supported by VIPKid)
  • Intel i5 processor or higher
  • 8GB RAM or higher
  • Fast and stable internet connection will make a smooth teaching and learning experience. Ideally, a wired high-speed internet connection of ≥ 25 Mb/s

Application Process

Here’s the application process with Q Kids:

  1. Apply with all required materials
  2. Initial screening
  3. Demo Interview 1
  4. Demo Interview 2
  5. Trial Classes & Background Check
  6. Secure your contract!

Payment

Here are all of the ways to maximize your income with VIP KID:

  • The base pay rate is $7-$9 per class
  • $1 attendance bonus per class
  • Extra $0.50 for every class taught after teaching a minimum of 30 lessons in a month
  • Extra $1 for every class taught after teaching 45 classes in a month

 

References

Brittany Verlenich published this guest post first here: https://travelingteachers.co/2020/08/06/the-5-best-online-teaching-jobs-in-2020/

Join the Traveling Teachers community. They’re committed to helping you find your perfect path to teaching online.

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Spotlight: Soul Essentials Healing

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Soul Essentials Healing.

For this week’s Utility Avenue’s Spotlight, we present you April Gaines: a Professional Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor. She is also a Certified Alcohol and Addictions Counselor through McBap. April has 18 different degrees and certificates in mental health, substance abuse, wellness, and spirituality fields. April is also two times over Reiki Energy Healing Master. An Ama Deus Energy Healer. A certified Hypnotherapist. A certified Auricular Acupuncturist.

What can you tell us about yourself?

I have spent over a decade in counseling, helping my clients heal from past traumas, low self-esteem, negative thinking, false beliefs, and anxiety. My passion is helping people develop permanent self-esteem and inner peace through awareness. Teaching them to have innate worth and value in this life.

As a mom of five girls, a bonus mom to her niece, and a grandmother of twelve grandkids, I value family, creating memories, teaching, and learning.
Recently, I have decided to move my career online by creating healing and spiritual courses, serving on spiritual panels as a speaker, and speaking on webinars, masterminds, and podcasts.
I want to help heal as many souls as I can in one lifetime.

What were the main challenges at the beginning?

Getting visible online. Getting out there and getting people to know about my business is the most difficult.

Who was the most supportive of your idea?

My daughters, other close friends, past clients, and even current clients are the most supportive of my business ideas.

What is the main target audience of your business?

My main audience is people who are tired of feeling depressed, anxious and who want to change. Who wants to be free from negative thinking and want to have inner peace and self-esteem that is permanent.

What makes your offer unique?

I have a unique way of explaining the ideas and concepts I teach in a way that is easy to apply and creates permanent change in the lives of the people I work with.

Do you have any other passions?

I have spent over 20 years on a life journey gaining as much knowledge and wisdom about the human mind, self-esteem, and spirituality. A psychic-medium, a hypnotherapist, an energy healer, and an auricular acupuncturist, I also have special certificates and training in addiction, and am really good at helping people learn to understand addiction and stay sober.

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

I’m not sure that I would do much differently in my life as I believe everything that has happened in my life was part of the divine plan and needed to happen to become the person I am today.

What future projects does your business have?

I have developed two courses at this time. One on permanent self-esteem. One on tarot card mastery. I plan on making a course on changing your core beliefs. Then, one on what is the psychic ability and maybe one on talking to people on the other side. I intend to write a few books as well in my time. My ultimate goal is to have these courses on Udemy and Teachable. Then, to take my story and teachings and begin speaking for a living so that I may help to heal as many people as I can in one lifetime.

What challenges do you see ahead of you?

My challenges right now are to get out there and to get noticed.

What message would you send to your followers?

I want everyone to know that you do not have to live with depression, anxiety, negative thoughts, low self-esteem. You have permanent worth just because. You can have inner peace and be free.

Define your business in one sentence.

My business: Soul Essentials Healing – The Self-Improvement Journey. Learn how to heal your soul and have permanent self-esteem and inner peace.

 

Contact Info

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

This week, I finished reading Never Split the Difference, Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on it. Written by former FBI lead international kidnapping negotiator, Chris Voss, it was a fascinating read on how to add emotional intelligence and empathy into the negotiation process.

I totally recommend it.

You can use the techniques outlined in the book for negotiations and everyday life: in business, at home, or when you ask for a raise or a new position.

 

Chris Voss, Never Split the Difference
Chris Voss, Never Split the Difference

Important Takeaways From the Book

Become a Mirror

Mirroring is magical. 

“Repeat the last three words (or the critical one to three words) of what someone has just said because we fear what is different and find comfort in similarity. “

The five steps of mirroring are:

  1. Use the late-night FM DJ voice– keep it calm and slow. Use this selectively to make a point. When done correctly, the late-night FM DJ voice creates an aura of authority and trust without making the other party defensive.
  2. Start with phrases like, “I’m sorry…”
  3. Mirror
  4. Use silence effectively
  5. Repeat.

Don’t Feel Their Pain, Label It.

Tactical empathy is understanding the other party’s feelings and mindset and hearing what is behind those feelings to increase your influence. 

Labeling is validating someone’s emotion by acknowledging it. First, you need to detect the other party’s emotional state and then highlight the feeling by labeling it. You can phrase a label as statements or questions. 

  • “It seems/looks/sounds like…”

People’s emotions have a “presenting” behavior (what we can see and hear) and the “underlying” feeling (the motivation behind the behavior).

Address those underlying emotions by labeling them. If you are labeling a negative emotion, you diffuse it. If it’s positive, you reinforce it. 

Beware “Yes”—Master “No”

A “No” can be an excellent opportunity to clarify what you want by eliminating what you don’t want.

“No” can often mean:

  • I am not yet ready to agree;
  • I don’t understand;
  • You make me feel uncomfortable;
  • I’d prefer to talk to someone else.
  • I can’t afford it;
  • I need more information;

A “No” can allow real issues to emerge. It protects you from making poor decisions and gives you time. It helps you feel safe and moves the negotiation process forward. That’s why “Is now a bad time to talk?” is better than “Do you have a few minutes to talk?”

And there are three kinds of “Yes”:

  • Counterfeit:  the other party plans on saying “No” but feels that a “Yes” is an easier escape route.
  • Confirmation: generally innocent, reflexive response to a black or white question. 
  • Commitment: most often leads to a definite outcome, such as signing a contract.

Also, “That’s right” is better than “yes.” You can make a summary by combining a label combined with paraphrasing.

Bend Their Reality

“Starting with a very low or high offer, using offers with specific and odd numbers or other such arbitrary factors will influence parties to compromise or accept an offer during a negotiation.”

Here’s how you can do that:

  • Anchor their emotions.
  • Let the other side anchor monetary terms first. 
  • Establish a range: instead of saying, “I’m worth $110,000,” say, “At top places like Acme Corp., people in this job get between $130,000 and $170,000.” 
  • Pivot to non-monetary terms.
  • When you talk numbers, use odd ones: ex, $87,563.
  • Surprise them with a present.

Note: People will take more risks to avoid a loss than to realize a gain. Make sure the other party sees that there is something to lose by inaction.

Create the Illusion of Control

Use calibrated questions to educate the other party on the problem rather than cause conflict by telling them what the problem is.

Here are some calibrated questions you can use:

  • What about this is essential to you?
  • How can I help make this better for us?
  • How would you like me to proceed?
  • What is it that brought us into this situation?
  • How can we solve this problem?
  • What are we trying to accomplish here?
  • How am I supposed to do that? 

Guarantee Execution

Because most communication is nonverbal, you should develop the ability to interpret body language and tone of voice.

The 7-38-55 Percent Rule

The 7-38-55 Percent Rule states that

  • 7% of a message is based on the words
  • 38% comes from the tone of voice
  • 55% from body language and face.

The Rule of Three: get the other party to agree to the same thing three times in the same conversation. 

The Pinocchio Effect: a Harvard Business School study found that, on average, liars use more words than those telling the truth. They also tend to use more third-person pronouns.

The Chris Discount: use your name to create a sense of “forced empathy” and make the other party see you as human.

Bargain Hard

If you’re trying to close a deal, you can choose an encouraging tone of voice, and ask “Let’s put price off to the side for a moment and talk about what would make this a good deal?” Or “What else would you be able to offer to make that a good price for me?”

If you’re trying to win a deal from your competitors, pitch statements like “Why would you ever do business with me? Your existing service provider seems great!” The “why” can coax the other party into working with you. 

The Ackerman Model

The Ackerman Model is an offer-counteroffer method you should prepare before the negotiation takes place.

  1. Set your target (goal) price.
  2. Set your first offer at 65 percent of your target price.
  3. Calculate three raises of decreasing increments (to 85, 95, and 100 percent).
  4. Use lots of empathy and different ways of saying “No” to get the other side to counter before you increase your offer.
  5. When calculating the final amount, use precise, non-round numbers like, say, $37,893 rather than $38,000. It gives the number credibility and weight.
  6. On your final number, throw in a non-monetary item (that they probably don’t want) to show you’re at your limit.

Find the Black Swan

“Black Swans are hidden elements that can totally change the negotiation if uncovered and used.”

Black Swans are leverage multipliers. To discover Black Swans ask about the other party’s beliefs and actively listen so you can mirror what they say. People feel safe in similarity and shared beliefs. 

Final Words

Humans want to be accepted and understood. Choose to be an active listener, demonstrate empathy, and show a sincere desire to understand the other side better.

This book is handy to handle everyday conflicts at work and home. A negotiation is an act of discovery. Listen to the other party, validate their concerns and emotions, build trust, and create a safety net for real conversations, and you will never split the difference.

 

References

A 12-Minute Summary of “Never Split the Difference” by …. https://www.freshworks.com/freshsales-crm/sdr-sales-development-reps/summary-of-never-split-the-difference-blog/

More about Chriss Voss: https://www.blackswanltd.com

 

WHERE TO BUY THE BOOK.

Buy Never Split the Difference, Negotiating As If Your Life Depended on it

Poems of Recovery, by Ananda de Jager

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Poems of Recovery, by Ananda de Jager

Ananda de Jager (1993) was born in Goes, the Netherlands. In 2020, she published her first poetry book: Poems of Recovery. After getting amenorrhea in 2018, she went on a spiritual healing journey, facing her inner demons and having a strong calling to inspire others.

Ananda now lives in Brussels, Belgium, where she wrote her first book. For this week’s Utility Avenue’s Spotlight, we bring you her inspiring story of self-discovery.

 

Poems of Recovery, by Ananda de Jager
Photo Credit: Nicholas Fotiadis

  • Who is Ananda de Jager?

Hello! Ananda is a 26-year-old girl living in Brussels, heading from the Netherlands. I’m a sister, a daughter, a friend, a colleague, a volunteer, and now also a poet/writer. 😊

  • How did it all begin?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled with food and my emotions. For me, this was always present, but I never saw it as an issue. However, when I lost my period, I realized that this was a clear sign of my body that something was wrong. Further, I had many other symptoms of an eating disorder. Looking back, losing my period was the best thing that could have happened. Otherwise, I would not have worked on my underlying issues. Hence, I decided I wanted it back and began looking at my patterns, my motives. While doing so, I shared many poems and quotes on Instagram (made by other people) and got a lot of positive replies. Then, in the summer of 2019, I decided to start writing poems myself.

  • What helped you the most to become an author?

My problems (laughs). No, what helped me the most was that it was very healing in itself. Writing down your thoughts makes you go through them, and reading them back helps you to see how far you’ve come. Also, the work of other poets inspired me a lot. My goal is also to help other people so that I had in the back of my mind when writing.

  • What were the main challenges while writing the book?

The writing process was honestly quite smooth. It felt very natural to me, and I put my full heart into it. The biggest challenges came actually when it was published – sharing my story, doing interviews, shoots. Really being out there when I was not fully at ease with my body yet, despite having written a book about recovery.

  • Who was the most supportive of your journey?

For sure, my parents. I cannot imagine how hard it must be for parents to have a kid that struggles and does not allow you to help them. They were always there, did nothing wrong, and supported me in every way possible. I love them with all my heart.

  • Who is your book for?

Initially, it was for anyone struggling with an eating disorder, but I learned that even people who did not struggle with it greatly enjoyed it. For example, one reader came to me saying he had never faced eating issues himself or known anyone with such issues, but reading the poems gave him some insights on what it is like. That was really touching.

  • How have readers reacted to your book?

The responses have been better than I could have imagined. Everyone has been extremely kind, asking questions, saying how it helped them or which poems they liked. It was especially interesting to hear from people close to me how they experienced the period.

  • Do you have any other passions?

Yes! I love meeting new people, traveling, volunteering, and riding my motorbike. Next to that, I do pole dancing and weight training. I love being busy and challenging myself. I also really love trying new things and self-development. 

  • If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

I believe everything I did brought me exactly to where I am now. I don’t think I would have done anything differently. It’s easy to say I would have solved my issues sooner or I would have been kinder to myself sooner, but in the end, all the steps were needed to be where I am today. I do wish that I did not hurt certain people in the process of me hurting myself through my behavior. No one deserves to be hurt, but I have also been the villain in some people’s stories. 

  • What future projects do you have?

For the moment, I am focusing fully on this book and helping others. I am writing for a project about Brussels’ lockdown, which is a really nice collaboration. Perhaps I will write a second book. I also collaborate more with different artists, which is a nice way of expressing myself.

  • What message would you send to your readers?

Be kinder to yourself. You only have one life in this body and have to be with yourself for the rest of your life. You might as well make it worthwhile! 

  • Can you tell me the essential idea of the book in one sentence?

To help other people in their healing process by sharing my experience with recovering from amenorrhea (the absence of your period) and my eating disorder.

  • Is there anything you would like to add?

If anyone wants to know more, see more work or order the book, they can check out my website anandadejager.com. Find me on Instagram @anandaaaa or @poemsofrecovery. I try to answer messages as fast as kind. And don’t forget to add joy to your life, dance! 😊 

 

Poems of Recovery, by Ananda de Jager Poems of Recovery cover

 

Ananda de Jager’s Contact Info

Instagram: @anandaaaa

Poems of Recovery, by Ananda de Jager
Where to Buy the Book

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

How to Make More Extra Money Before Christmas

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Make more extra money before Christmas.

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner.

But you might already be looking for moneymaker ideas so you can get more cash for those Christmas presents for family and friends.

Look no further. We have made a list of some ideas to make more extra money before December 25th!

make money for Christmas

1. Work from Home

Working from home might be your holy grail if you want to work from the comfort of your own home. There are countless companies hiring customer representatives, and there are other attractive options. Check this article to find out about the 10 best work-from-home jobs to make money now. And if you are new to the world of working in your pajamas, check this Remote Newbie Guide to work from home that we created for you.

10 Best Work-From-Home Jobs to Make Money Now

The Remote Newbie Guide to Work-From-Home

2. Make Money with Your Car

You can start driving for Uber or Lyft. But newsflash, if you offer your riding services with Utility Avenue, you can transport people, but you can also deliver groceries, parcels, lunch. The sky is the limit.

3. Declutter and get rid of pre-loved items.

Our houses are full of items we don’t use anymore. This might be an excellent opportunity to declutter and Mary Kondo your home and make extra cash in the process.

4. Become a Website Tester

For this, we would recommend UserTesting. Most testing tasks last 15-20 minutes, and you earn 10 dollars per review. Definitely handy.

5. Become a Pet Sitter

We have mentioned it in several blog entries. If you love pets, you can make extra money when you pet sit, especially for the holidays when there will be traveling involved.

6. Sell your crafts 

The sky is the limit when you are creative. You can make and sell your crafts: jewelry, personalized ornaments, Christmas wreaths, gift baskets, watercolors, printables, candles. Anything that can be personalized is a great Christmas present. You can open a store on Amazon, Etsy, or Shopify to reach more clients.

7. Turn your hustle into a business.

Check this blog post to find out if you can turn your hobby into a moneymaker. And, if you are already monetizing your hobby, read this article to find out if it’s an excellent time to turn your side hustle into a business. To start, or not start, a business. THAT’s the question.

12 Hobbies that can be Moneymakers

To Start or Not To Start a Business: That is the Question

8. Become a Virtual Assistant

You can help small businesses with anything from project management to social media marketing.

9. Become a Copywriter or a Proofreader.

Most businesses need to create sales pages, whitepapers, articles. It can be a good niche for you to specialize if you can provide copywriting or proofreading services, and you can do that from home.

10. Find Work On Side Gig Apps

You can find several side gig apps to offer any service, from photography to proofreading, for example, Thumbtack, Fiverr, and TaskRabbit. You can also check Utility Avenue and find out if it’s a fit for you. Our platform only charges a flat fee of 0.50 cents per service sold, so you can make more money when you provide a service. Read this article if you want to know more details about our platform.

10 Reasons to Make Money with Utility Avenue

11. Reduce Your Bills.

A good option would be to save money. Find where you are spending money unnecessarily. For example, eliminate those subscriptions you always forget to use and call your service providers to find out if there are current deals so you can reduce your bill payments.

12. Get Cashback with Rakuten.

Earn cashback when shopping at your favorite online stores. For example, with this Rakuten affiliate link, you’ll get a $30 bonus when you sign up and make a qualifying purchase.

13. Save Your Change.

We live in a pretty much cashless society, but sometimes, you receive some cashback. You could save that money. At the end of the year, you might save a fair amount.

Final words about how to make extra money before Christmas.

As a last piece of advice, I would also suggest thinking about what makes a great Christmas present. This has been a challenging year for most of us. Maybe material things are not what your family and friends need. Perhaps, they need the gift of experiences or help with a bill—just food for thoughts.

Spotlight: Wandalyn Tan

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

Caltan Training and Consultancy with Wandalyn Tan

Without clarity of  purpose, passion & career direction, you may be feeling lost, unfulfilled & unhappy with your life and career. For this week’s Utility Avenue’s Spotlight, we bring you Wandalyn Tan, who can help you build a life & career that you love that is meaningful & rewarding. Her life mission is to help others live happier lives.

If you want to know more about her, feel free to read her Spotlight, and contact her.

Caltan Training and Consultancy
Caltan Training and Consultancy with Wandalyn Tan

What can you tell us about yourself? 

After suffering from burnout in 2014, I reinvented my career. I am an Audit Manager turned International Speaker, Amazon Author, Executive Career & Burnout Coach, and CEO of my company, Caltan Training and Consultancy.

What were the origins of your business?

Training and coaching positively transformed my life. I want to pay it forward by helping others by sharing simple and powerful tools that work for me.

What were the main challenges at the beginning?

Challenge is doing everything on my own from website management, business registrations, marketing, content creation, and everything in between.

Who was the most supportive of your idea?

My kids were very supportive of my idea because they saw how training and coaching makes me happy.

What is the main target audience of your business? 

My target is helping managers and women professionals, especially working mothers break through from burnout & build a purpose-driven career & living aligned with their passion, purpose, experience, and expertise.

What makes your offer unique?

I used my mind expertise (as an NLP master practitioner) and audit expertise of 20+ years to find the gaps and offer simple solutions that help clients fast track results. My clients land their ideal job in less than 6 months even during the pandemic. 

Do you have any other passions?

I am passionate about learning. I am listening to podcasts and webinars almost every day.

If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

I would be more loving and accepting of myself and stop suppressing my emotions. I will express myself more without fear.

What future projects does your business have?

I am building a training company, specific to helping working moms build a purpose-driven career and living through training and strong community support of other working moms who have been on the same path.

What challenges do you see ahead of you?

Knowing which one to do first of the many dreams in my list and finding the right partners to work with.

What message would you send to your followers?

Keep on asking because help is always available, ask yourself, ask God and ask others to move forward and fast.

Define your business in one sentence.

I am in the business of positively changing lives through training and coaching.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Connect with me on LinkedIn to get a daily dose of inspiration.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwanda/

Wandalyn Tan’s Contact Info

_______________________________________
Utility Avenue’s Spotlight focuses on promoting inspiring businesses every week. For a chance to be interviewed, contact us at support@utilityavenue.com with the subject Spotlight.

Follow Utility Avenue

Posted on by Odette Fernandez

utility avenue logoBy now, you might know what Utility Avenue is.

Or maybe not! But if you don’t and you want to know more, well, check this article.

What’s Utility Avenue?

Utility Avenue is a community marketplace where you can buy and sell your
services.

Why was Utility Avenue born?

Because we care about you. Because everyone deserves fair pay.

The thing is, most gig-economy platforms (like Uber, Thumbtack, and others) and contractors keep a significant percentage (some even 50%) when you use them to sell your services. If you are the one who does the job, you should be making the most amount of money, am I right?

Nobody likes to lose $$$ to intermediaries.

BUT imagine

if you could turn your hobbies and skills into cash… and make more money doing less work?

You could become a successful business owner doing what you love!
We care about you and, to help, we created Utility Avenue:
A community marketplace for you to buy and sell services, and turn your skills or hobbies into money so you can thrive.

If you are

  • an entrepreneur or a small business owner?
  • a freelancer or need extra income?
  • you have a business idea, but don’t have clients or don’t have the platform?
  • you work for someone who takes a high percentage of your service?
  • you have a service company that has associates instead of employees?

Then, Utility Avenue is for you.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Easy-peasy!

You download our free app. You pay $0.50 cents only when you sell a service.

You list your offers. Manage them effortlessly

You get hired. Reach more clients and be the first person they think of when they need
a service.

WHY UTILITY AVENUE?

We get it – you might say “Ugh, another gig platform”, but when you use Utility Avenue:
– you don’t lose money to an intermediary.
– you communicate directly with the client.
– you get paid, fast and easy, straight to your account.

We only charge 0.50 cents when you sell a service so you can make more money with
less work.

Seriously, if you have five minutes, download the app, list your services… and see for
yourself.

JOIN THE UTILITY AVENUE COMMUNITY MARKETPLACE

Make money and save money easily on the same platform.

And if you want to support us and follow us, we would really appreciate it.  Also, our Utility Avenue blog covers a wide range
of topics, including entrepreneurship, business, innovation, leadership, mindset, and
others. We are accepting applications for guest bloggers
and business
spotlights.

Follow Utility Avenue on Facebook

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Follow Utility Avenue on LinkedIn

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Follow Utility Avenue and let us support you

We are continuing to improve our platform and experience for our users everywhere.

You all are an integral part of our continued growth.

Thank you for being a part of our community and for providing your valuable feedback so we can better serve you.

Be On the Spotlight

Posted on by Odette Fernandez
We are delighted to have you here. 

At Utility Avenue, we’re always looking for fresh content to help our audience thrive. If you can provide valuable insight into your area of expertise, you might qualify to be our next guest writer. 

If you’re interested in writing for the Utility Avenue Blog, keep reading.

Why should you write for Utility Avenue?

Utility Avenue is a platform for entrepreneurs and small business owners to promote and sell their services. As a result, our blog is rapidly becoming a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners all over the world.

Our commitment is to provide valuable information that can help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

We invite you to share your knowledge with our audience.

For more information on our publishing guidelines, check this article. https://www.utilityavenue.com/write-for-utility-avenue

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