Nowadays, you can get paid for just about anything – including sending or receiving texts!
Text-focused jobs are an intriguing opportunity for many people because they offer a way to work from home, can be done on a flexible schedule, and don’t involve phone calls or dealing with other people face-to-face.
However, look for jobs that pay you to text, and you’ll quickly discover that many of them (such as Chat Recruit, Dream Lover, Flirtbucks, and Lip Service) are flirting sites. These sites are legitimate but being a chat hostess might not be a comfortable option for many. The good news is there are still many other legitimate ways to make money via texting.
In particular, here are nine companies that will pay you to text without needing to flirt with strangers.
1. 1Q App
1Q is a popular app you can get for free from the app store on Android or iOS and pays cash for your responses to its text messages. Its clients are brands that want to get candid feedback from consumers by sending them market research questions.
Once you sign up for a free account, you’ll start receiving survey questions from 1Q, and you’ll earn $0.25 per response. This means if you get a survey with two questions, you will earn $0.50 for answering them both.
How many surveys you get depends on your location and profile, but the reported average is 1 or 2 per week. It won’t add up to a lot, but it’s an easy way to make a few extra bucks. Another benefit of this app is that payments are made right away via PayPal as soon as a survey is finished.
2. Fibler
If you have professional expertise to share, check out Fibler. Fibler is an app for offering private consultations or group coaching to clients. It lets you set up consults or group coaching via webcam chats, voice calls, and text messaging.
Ideal for doctors, lawyers, tutors, coaches, and other specialists, Fibler lets you set your own per-minute rates and be your own boss. You can also create rich video content that can result in passive income! Just keep in mind that you need to find the clients who will use your service.
Fibler sends payments through direct deposit in select countries or via PayPal.
3. Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the largest marketplaces where people and businesses can find services at reasonable rates. As a freelancer on Fiverr, you can create your own list of services and set your rates. The most common service freelancers offer on Fiverr that involves text messaging is SMS marketing, a type of marketing that sends advertisements via text to potential and existing customers.
To offer this service, you need to become familiar with an SMS platform like EZ Texting or Twilio. Then you can list your services on Fiverr. To be competitive, start with $5 per gig, and you can increase your rates as you build up positive reviews.
Once you complete a gig, Fiverr will release your earnings via PayPal, Bank Transfer, or Direct Deposit.
4. Ginger
Ginger (which recently merged with Headspace to become Headspace Health) is a platform designed to provide mental health services, including coaching, therapy, and psychiatry. Coaches are hired to help members combat mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression through texting sessions.
As a coach, you will work 10-hour days, four days per week. You can search for open positions on their website, but remember that proper licensure and experience are required to qualify.
5. JustAnswer
JustAnswer is a platform for connecting experts with clients via text message. Members pay a subscription to ask questions, and the platform will connect the user with an expert in the relevant field, where they can chat by text or phone.
Provided you have the appropriate credentials, you can apply to become an expert in one of several fields, such as medicine, law, wellness, computers, cars, or home improvement. Once you pass the screening process, you can earn anywhere from $2,000-$7,000 per month and work as much or as little as you want.
6. McMoney
If you’re an Android user, McMoney is a great app that can help you earn a few extra bucks each month. All you need to do is install the app, complete the registration, and verify your phone number.
After that, you’ll be sent the occasional test SMS messages., and that’s all there is to it! For every text you receive, money will be added to your account. Then, once you’ve reached the minimum payout amount, you can withdraw your funds via PayPal.
7. Premium.Chat
Premium.Chat is similar to Fibler in that it connects clients with experts through text messages, voice calls, or video chats. It’s an excellent platform for consultants and coaches but is also used by performers, models, and influencers. There’s no need to install an app, as you can use it on your mobile browser or desktop.
It’s free to join, but the platform will take a cut of revenue earned (up to 40%, depending on how much you make). Once you’ve set up your account, you can set your rates per minute or charge a flat fee. You can also set your availability. Your earnings via Premium.Chat are sent on the 10th of every month via PayPal or direct deposit.
8. The Chat Shop
Based in the UK, The Chat Shop offers businesses a way to get more leads and customers through text chat services. They often hire fully remote chat agents in the UK, and you can find a list of current opportunities on their website. The pay for live chat agents is about £9.56 per hour.
Their desired candidates need to be able to handle multiple chats simultaneously, with an average response time of 40 seconds. If you’re a problem-solver with great communication skills who can type at least 65 words per minute, this could be the perfect role for you.
9. Working Solutions
Working Solutions is a customer-experience business process outsourcing (BPO) operation and has supported the work-from-home movement since its inception in 1996. They’ve worked with many large companies and have over 150,000 agents throughout Canada and the United States.
They’re always looking for independent contractors, and the average pay is $15 per hour, depending on the type of contract you get. In addition to chat messaging, many programs require you to participate in phone calls and video chats as well. To become a contractor, you need a USB headset, a high-speed internet connection, an up-to-date computer and software, and in some cases, a webcam.
Tips for Texting Safely
Before you start your texting side hustle, it’s a good idea to take a few precautions to protect yourself from scams and identity theft.
First, always due your due diligence and research the company on sites like Indeed and Glassdoor. If you need to download an app, read reviews from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Be sure that the developers are still maintaining and updating the app for security.
Do not disclose your personal information, such as your date of birth, social security number, or account passwords, to unsecured websites or unverified personnel. Email addresses should match the domain name of the hiring company.
Also, read the fine print before committing to any texting job or installing their apps. Be on the lookout for any scammers and spammers who may try to contact you through third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media. Don’t respond to any messages that seem suspicious or too good to be true!
Conclusion
If you enjoy communicating with people via text but want to avoid flirting with strangers, there are still plenty of companies out there that are willing to pay you to text. Just make sure you research the companies you intend to work for and take a few simple precautions when texting with people you don’t know.
Whether you’re looking for ways to share your expertise or simply answer a few surveys for extra cash, there’s a texting gig for you. Give it a try, and you might be surprised at how much money you can make!