Tag: Passive Income

Tips for the Side Hustling Entrepreneurs

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Image of male entrepreneur walking on the road while carrying suitcase

We are all given the same twenty-four hours in one day.  If you ever found yourself saying that in a perfect world you would be a full-time entrepreneur, you are not alone.  Truthfully, I enjoy my full-time job yet I also find it fulfilling to work for myself as well.  Here’s another truth bomb, my full-time position offers great benefits so at this point in time I do not wish to leave my full-time job.

That being shared, I simply don’t have the time or know how to fulfill everything that I want to get done.  I have admitted to myself that DIY is a bad idea when it comes to building your website and brand.  I have bit the bullet and have become an advocate of hiring people to outsource the technical side of my entrepreneurial endeavors.

In the past, I would watch YouTube tutorials and try to emulate what I saw.  I have no IT background, so the result was usually, for a lack of a better word, a hot mess.  Fast forward to today.  I have a full-time job, husband, kids, and household to maintain.  So, I do not have the time nor the patients to work on something that will not get me the desired results.

I proudly admit to outsourcing.  I think that outsourcing should not be a dirty little secret.  I currently use onlinejobs.ph but in the past I have used Upwork, Fiveer, and (here’s a secret) eBay.  Yes, you can outsource on eBay too.  I will say that eBay isn’t as well known as the other websites listed so tread with caution, but it can be done.

What are some great outsourcing websites that are missing here?  Subscribe and comment below.

Completely Add to Your Income with DadaABC, A Guest Post Review.

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dadaabcI have permission to share Iwillpickonelater’s review of DadaABC.  If you are interested in working for DadaABC please you the referral code:

https://www.DaDaABC.com/teacher/job/r8J9p0q005/

DadaABC ,The online company I’ve been teaching for, is looking for new teachers. It’s an easy gig and the pay is good considering how easy it is, so if any of you are looking for a job or want to supplement your income, it might be worth checking out. Here’s my review of working for DadaABC –

The Goods

  • PAY – The pay was the highest I could find for any online company, after some negotiation I got $22US (150RMB)/hour, but it is based on experience. I believe the range is from $15-$25.
  • SHORT CLASSES – regular classes are only 30 mins and trial classes are 14 mins, so it’s over and done pretty quick.
  • OWN HOURS – There are set hours to choose from (Evenings during the week, mornings on the weekend (Shanghai Time)) but you can choose to work as little or as much as you want
  • 50% PAY IF NO CLASS – during your set hours if you don’t have class, you still get 50% of your pay, although personally my schedule filled up right away
  • MATERIAL – the company provides it’s own software that acts as a virtual textbook. It’s not the best, but I’ve also seen worse. Either way I do absolutely no prep time before class, I don’t even have to preview the material.

The Bads

  • THE PENALTIES – Every time you mess up they fine you, and the fines can add up pretty quickly. Be 10 minutes late for a class and you’re basically teaching the rest of the class for free. If you miss the whole class, then not only will you not get paid for that class but they’ll take an additional fine out of your paycheck.
  • TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES – as we all know sometimes your internet cuts out and there’s nothing you can do about it. Well they consider this to be your fault and they’ll penalize you for it. I find it acceptable however because of their high wages and the fact that these outages are fairly rare for me, but if your internet connection isn’t stable, then this probably isn’t for you.
  • LOOK PROFESSIONAL – for me this is a no-brainer, but I think they’ve had big problems in the past with teachers eating during class, teaching in their pajamas, teaching while laying in bed, being on their phone during the lesson, etc. All of these will get you penalized.

TLDR – Don’t be late and be professional and you shouldn’t have any problems. The job is really easy and you can work as little as 2 hours a week, so it’s a good way to supplement your current income. Super easy format so it’s especially good for new teachers.

 

Completely Add to Your Income with QKids. A review by Guest Blogger Jadie C

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I’m so happy to have Jadie C as my first guest blogger this week.  Jadie is reviewing QKids which is an online school for teaching English to students in China. 

If QKids seems like a good fit for you please use Jadie’s referral code: Jadie7377

You can find the link to apply below.

QKids

I’m now in my 3rd week with QKids, and I thought I’d write my honest review!

All I can say is “Where has this company been all my life?!”

First, the basic requirements (I didn’t make the rules):
• Native American English speaker (or good American Accent I would imagine)
• Live in the US or Canada (not sure if they make exceptions to this, like if you’re a US citizen living abroad for example)
• Bachelor’s degree…. However! I didn’t know the bachelor’s degree “requirement”, and I applied with just my TESOL (and experience) and I got hired. So… I say it doesn’t hurt to try??

Second, the application requirements:
1. Along with resume, they ask for a 1 minute video demo with a brief intro (name, state, education), and you telling or reading a short story as if to a child. They will be looking for things like enthusiasm, body language, facial expressions, proper lighting and sound.
2. You will need to provide a screenshot of your computer system specifications (the page on your computer that says what processor/RAM/OS, etc you have)
3. Your availability. They offer up to 38 slots a week (more during school holidays), typical Chinese hours, Monday through Saturday early EDT hours (5:-40am-8:10am), and Friday and Saturday EDT nights (7:40pm-10:50pm). You must be available at least 6 hours a week.

Third, the hiring requirements:
1. Install WeChat and Qkids software
2. Ethernet cable (they really stress this), and headset
3. Self-paced study/practice materials training (paid)
4. 2 demo lessons/sessions with the staff (paid)
5. 3 trial lessons with kids (paid)
6. You’re hired!… if you don’t get hired, your training is still paid!

Fourth, what they’re like:
After an initial good, and in the end not-so-good experience with GVE, I decided to look at other options, and I’m so glad I did! Qkids impressed me from the beginning with their training, communication, and professionalism! I have never once felt lost or alone, they are very helpful and always available right away (or within a reasonable amount of hours, time difference after all). My schedule was completely full by the second week! No begging for hours here. Their platform is easy to use. (I used to look at the lessons for a few minutes before each shift to review them, but after the second week this wasn’t necessary any more. They are simple, fun, interactive, and user friendly) Classes have up to 6 students in them (all classes paid at same base rate). Unlike with zoom, you can see all the students faces at once, and can easily mute/unmute as necessary. Activities are arranged by individual and group types, so it’s not overwhelming. The kids ages are 5-12. Because the platform is so fun and interactive, they are happy and eager to learn!

What I don’t like: WeChat is annoying. It’s not the teaching platform, but the chat program used to communicate with the staff. They require a QR code or approval from your cell to log in to another device, and if you lose your cell, like I did for a few days last week, you can’t get into WeChat at all. I was thankfully still able to contact them when I needed to via email. I also don’t like that even though I’m working, say, 5:40-8:10, I’m only getting paid 2 hours, not 2.5 because there’s down time in between lessons that we don’t get paid for. I guess this is pretty typical for online teaching jobs, it’s not the first time I’ve encountered this. At least with Q Kids, we don’t have any reports or evaluations to do!

Time off:
No dock pay!! No 6 month (or any) contract commitments!! They do ask for 24 hour notice for time off, and ask that you not have “too many” (interpret as you can) short-notice absences. Classes are scheduled Sunday for the following week. I actually didn’t realize this my first week, and checked my schedule the Friday before instead, and missed Monday and Tuesday altogether thinking my first class was Wednesday. They forgave me when I explained and took the absences off my record.

Pay:
$16-20/hr. The base pay is $8/30 min class. You get a point for each day you show up to class, and you lose a point if you’re absent. The points equal dollars, so if you’re present in every class each week that’s an extra $1/30 min. You get an extra $1/30 min for getting good ratings by the students/parents. So if you do the math, $16/hour is easily actually $20/hour. I’ve actually always been scared of working for a company that does rating systems, but so far, the parents have been gracious 🙂 Once in a while you might have a “standby” lesson in one of your slots (In 2.5 weeks, I’ve had one of these). If there is no need for you to fill in, you will still get paid $4/30 min class just for being available. If there is a system glitch and you can’t teach, you still get paid. If no students show up, you still get $4/30 min class!

Have I missed anything? Feel free to reach out to me, I’m happy to help! I was referred myself, and I’m happy to refer you, too!

How to apply?
Email Apply at QKids with your resume, 1 minute demo video (can be an attachment or a YouTube or cloud link), screenshot of computer specs, availability, and, if you would be so gracious, my referral ID too: Jadie7377 🙂 (yes, there’s a bonus potential for me here:-)

One more thing, If you do use my referral code, please send me an email so I know who I’ve referred, but also because I’m more than happy to answer any questions, give you tips, guide you through the process, etc!

All the best to you!!

Jadie 🙂QKids

When it is time to hire someone to do your dirty work

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This is not a post about my adventure into the underworld.  Although I do like the title and think it sounds pretty bad ass.  I most of my community have figured out I have multiple side hustles.  One of them is slinging shirts.  The world of the side hustle is not a new world to me.  I was side hustling back when I was a freshman in college.

I have held down various jobs since I was fourteen years old. I promised my mom I wouldn’t get a job freshman year as I attended college not only out of state but out of state and a place where I knew nobody.  Being a woman of my word, I did not get a job per se but I needed money coming into my room.  Therefore I became the candy lady of the second floor.  

My co-partner and I bought a hand basket with wheels and we were in business. We took the subway several stops to Sam’s Club and bought about $50 worth of goods. Pastries, sodas, candy, ramin, and every other type of delicious a freshman girl could want.  I went to the library, created and printed a menu, and a business was born.  I made decent money but I didn’t keep records so the amount is unknown.  I always had enough change for the laundromat so that was a plus.  

I’m getting off topic.  Fast forward twenty years (damn I feel old writing that).  I realize that I have my limitations in terms of time, ability, and capabilities.  I have spent the past few days on Skype, which is a platform I don’t use often, interviewing graphic designers to help me business grow.  I think I found someone I like, so I’m feeling hopefully.  I have positions I would love to be able to hire but I’m taking it step by step at this point so I can only afford to hire a graphic designer.  The end goal is to be able to hire a virtual assistant and really just be the manager of my operation.  Has outsourcing become a part of your business plan?  How do you find people to outsource in order to help your business grow?

Make sure you subscribe to my blog.  It’s kinda cool and I love my followers.  Also if you are interested in finding a reliable source for outsourcing use my link:

Online Jobs Filipino

Full disclosure, there is a monthly fee.  Although, I don’t agree with the $69 a month fee, the quality of workers are REALLY great.

VIPKID, Unfiltered, Unprocessed, and Raw

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By now you probably have heard about VIPKID!  The concept is simple enough, North American teachers who teach children in China the English language.    Although I am a contracted employee with them, I don’t exactly drink the VIPKID “Kool-Aid” so I have no problem giving you my unfiltered opinion.

First things first, I do not believe VIPKID is some type of pyramid scheme or shiesty company.  With that being stated, they do usually offer a small incentive if you refer someone who becomes a teacher added to the VIPKID teaching pool.  This can create spammy like behavior among some of the contracted employees (I’ll get to the contracted employee part later) leaving their referral codes everywhere.

You must create a short video introducing yourself and have a short bio.  Having great, clear photos is pretty important too.  You are selling yourself and your expertise, which leads to another thing . . .

As a POC (Person of Color) I feel that VIPKID is pretty fair in their hiring practices However it might not be easy to get fully booked if you don’t fit the Chinese ideal of American.  It has been noted on several Facebook post in VIPKID groups that some people are fully booked the day they get started while others take a little longer.  Usually, the fully booked on day one people aren’t the most experienced but young, cute, and non-minority.

A good way to fast track your bookings is to literally stay up all night (I’m on EST, so that is a twelve hour difference from China) and build your clientele that way.  I have done that a total of zero times!  Although I have heard of that being a fast track way for bookings, I had no desire to do that.  VIPKID is a side hustle for me, I am currently teaching full and I am the mother of five year old twins.  I already don’t get enough sleep as is.

I grew my small clientele organically. My small group of regulars have kept me busy last month.  July was an especially slow month but I was booked weekly. Not fully booked, but booked.

My experience with VIPKID has been great.  There is still a lot that VIPKID needs to work out between with their contracted employees (you are a teacher until a problem arises, then you are a contracted employee).  Definitely become familiar with their teacher cancellation policy as you are only allowed a certain number (I think it is six) during your contract.  It will be grounds for dismissal if you go over the number.  There is no sick leave so if you cancel because of illness, this will count toward one of the six cancellations.

With all this being said, if you are still interested in VIPKID I will leave a link with my referral ID below:

https://www.vipkidteachers.com/?refereeId=3459751&refersourceid=a01

If you like more information on VIPKID or have any thoughts comment below.