10 Ways to Make Money With Micro Jobs

You may already be familiar with the term “micro job,” but if you’re not, it’s basically just a small, one-time job you complete for an amount of money that varies.

Some micro jobs pay well but many pay very little. A lot of people who work from home enjoy doing micro jobs here and there for different apps, websites, and companies because it usually means a lot of flexibility and no commitment.

Examples of Micro Jobs

Micro jobs can be absolutely anything. It could be something you do from your home on your computer. For example, tagging photographs or transcribing an audio file. Or it could be something you do outside your home like a mystery shopping assignment or a one-time errand.

Micro Job Income Potential

The amount you earn for each micro job you do will depend on how complex it is and who you’re doing it for. Short, easy ones may not pay that well, but you could earn more for something that takes longer and is more complex.

Many people do lots of short, easy micro jobs back to back to create something of an income source for themselves or by doing lots of microjobs that pay well.

The Downside to Micro Jobs

Most people look at this as extra money since many of the sites or apps you can do them for don’t pay that well per task/job.

Also, availability of jobs to do is never a sure thing. If you’re going to try to make some real money doing micro work, you’ll definitely need to make sure you’ve given yourself lots of options for where to pick and choose your work from.

Where to Find Micro Jobs

I’ve written about a LOT of sites over the last few years that fall into the “microjob” category. Below I’ve listed some of the more popular options:

• Amazon Mturk – Read Amazon Mechanical Turk Review – Huge site with tons of short jobs you can complete. Pay is via either your bank account or in Amazon money.
• Clickworker – Read Clickworker Review – Similar to Mturk, they have different tasks you can complete and the money does add up. They pay with Paypal.
• Fancy Hands – Read Fancy Hands Review – This is task-based virtual assisting. You can’t get in here unless you do some sample tasks that get approved first. It’s something where you can log on and off whenever just to see if there is anything posted you might want to tackle. They pay with Dwolla.
• Fiverr – Read Fiverr Review and also this post with ideas for things to offer on Fiverr – Very reputable site where you can offer pretty much any service you can think of to potential buyers. Pays with Paypal.
• Field Agent – Read Field Agent Review – A smartphone app available for iPhone users that allows you to claim and complete tasks while you’re out and about. Example – taking a pic of a display at a store, answering a survey about the cleanliness of a restaurant, etc. Pays with Paypal.
• Gigwalk – Read Gigwalk Review – This is similar to Field Agent. You can use your smartphone to complete short tasks. It’s available for iPhone and Android users and they pay with Paypal. They are known for paying quickly once your “gigs” are completed and approved, and also many of their tasks pay higher than what you’ll find on other similar apps.
• Observa – Get paid for taking surveys in stores about products, taking photos, and sometimes speaking with a store assistant or manager. Most of the opportunities posted pay between $4 and $15 and take no more than 30 minutes to complete.
• Mobee – Read Mobee Review – This is a task-based app that’s actually new to me. It’s available for iPhone and Android users. Like Field Agent, Easy Shift, and Gigwalk you can get paid for doing short tasks via your smartphone. This one pays in points, but you can redeem these for Paypal cash or various gift cards.
• Task Rabbit – Read Task Rabbit Review – While Task Rabbit does have an app, you can also claim tasks via their website. This is more like running errands for people who need help in your area. You might do things like pick up lunch for someone or go buy their groceries, etc. Task Rabbit pays you via your bank account.

Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 13 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.