make-extra-income-communicating

From chatting on social media to booking hotel reservations by phone, these savvy women have turned their love of communication into big money. Read on to learn how they did it so you can start earning too!

“I make 6 figures moderating social media for companies!”

“Four years ago when I was laid off from a job in retail, I had to decide what to do next. I talked to a friend who is a life coach, and she asked me to handle her social media. I set up all of her social media platforms and posted some content — free of charge since she had helped me so much and I had never done that type of work. But I liked the work. It aligned with my strengths, my passion for technology and connecting with people. Soon after, I launched my business, 609media.com.

“Although I initially had some doubts that I could be successful, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, and I was determined! I took an online course with a social media expert to learn how to start my business, then launched business accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn to get the word out that I could help clients with social media.

“I work with local small- and medium-sized companies, including those in e-commerce and virtual coaching. My clients pay me a monthly retainer to handle their social media so they can focus on other priorities. When we start to work together, I determine each client’s goals and look at the social media platforms they’re already using to see how they’re performing. Then I create a social media strategy. Typically, I find and post content, help with customer service, flag trolls, and delete inappropriate comments.

“I love having the freedom to work flexible hours and decide which clients I want to take on. I make a six-figure salary — money that pays the bills and allows me to travel to places like Nashville and Greece.” — Megan Flanagan, 51, Haddonfield, NJ

“I earn a full-time income talking on the phone!”

“When I worked in human resources, one of my responsibilities was to help people who were displaced find new employment. That’s how I discovered LiveOps, a company that hires home-based virtual call center agents.

I started referring people looking for jobs to the company. I knew it was a great way to earn a living on a flexible schedule, so I decided to leave my job and work for them myself too.

“To get started, I filled out an online application and had an interview. The company will match nearly any skill or ability, so almost anyone can be a fit. The work varies, but it might include taking an order, answering product questions or making referrals. I work for clients in the retail, hospitality, health-care and service industries, among others.

I take phone calls, screen-share and input information. I love that I get to talk, help, and meet the needs of every customer calling in. It’s a great feeling when people are happy after our calls.

“LiveOps is a 24/7 platform, and I work between 20 and 60 hours a week, but I choose the hours and fit my work around my family. You can schedule the time you work in small, 30-minute increments, and you can work as little or as much as you want. I get to choose the clients I work with, and I have a team that supports me, real-time chat support while I’m on calls and access to courses to help me build my skills.

“I enjoy this work because I get to be myself and help turn around my customers’ day. I earn a full-time salary — money that enables me to travel to see my mom in Florida and to the beach, plus helps me pay bills.” — Sharon Meeks DeBouse, 59, Atlanta

“I bring home $1,500 a week booking hotel reservations!”

“Sixteen years ago, after I had my fifth child, I returned to work in the hospitality and tourism industry.

But the company I was working for was making staffing cuts, and I was laid off. I started looking for another job where I could do the same type of work but was able to work from home and have flexibility to care for my family. When I learned that Working Solutions was hiring agents for an online hotel company, I filled out an application online, and I was hired after completing an interview and virtual training.

“My responsibilities as an agent couldn’t be easier or more rewarding.

When I’m ready to start my day, I simply log on to the Working Solutions platform, take calls from customers and help them book their hotel reservations. After a few years of doing this, I was promoted, and now I also supervise, train and coach other agents who work for a corporate travel division of another company.

“I typically work between 60 and 70 hours a week, but you can work as little as 25 hours. I love that I can work any time of the day and from anywhere. Once, our family rented a beach house for a month, and I was able to work around my own schedule.

I get paid per talk minute, and I earn about $1,500 a week — money that pays the bills and allows our family to travel. Instead of working for my life, my life works for me — it’s amazing!”

— Jacqueline Lesane, 55, Atlanta