Inadvertently one day while I was visiting Facebook reviewing information for an upcoming article, I stumbled over this neat application called Crowd Cloud (I may have actually been referred by someone I’m not even sure). Crowd Cloud is a micro-task site that allows users to do a variety of tasks including searching for references, writing articles or blog posts, translating and proofreading. Before you can accept assignments there are quizzes that you must take and pass.
The sign up process
Log into your Facebook account to find out where Crowd Cloud is. It’s not all that simple to find so if you’d like this is a link to Crowd Cloud. Note this is an affiliate link and if you sign up I’ll get a percentage of what Crowd Cloud pays you on each task (not from what you are paid) so feel free to use this and thank you in advance.
The testing process
The testing process on Crowd Cloud is really simple. Go to the dashboard and fill in your information including your name, email, etc. You will also want to include your PayPal account information in the appropriate section. None of this is particularly difficult though the layout of this is a bit weird. However, it should only take a few minutes.
Once you have completed this information, you can go to the tabs on the side and take the skills tests (one or more) for the areas that interest you. These include research, writing, editing and various translations. In order to accept any tasks you’ll have to pass the tests. They are brief and they are very straightforward. Typically you will hear back in 24 hours whether or not you passed the test (I do not know anyone who has not).
Accepting tasks
Each person who registers at Crowd Cloud receives a credibility grade. Do not panic if it seems low, the level will increase as you complete tasks and submit them and they are approved. The available work tab will show you what credibility level each task needs to be acceptable. Generally, you’ll want to start off with a couple of easy tasks and work your way up.
Here is the good news: if you accept a task, you really do not have to complete it if you get it and discover it’s really bad (I’ve had a few like that), simply click on “skip” and go to the next one until you find some that work for you! When tasks are accepted, you have 24 hours to return them completed. It generally takes 4-6 hours to get an approval depending on how many tasks are submitted during that time.
Double check all of your work before you submit it and make sure you carefully review the guidelines (which are extremely clear) on all items. Simply upload the corrected document and hit submit.
Getting paid
One of the fascinating things about Crowd Cloud is the payment scheme. Regardless of how much (or little) you earn in a day, the funds are paid to your PayPal account at the end of the day for all accepted work. Like other freelance writing jobs, you do have to claim the earnings on your tax return but they do have a good recording system.
I have heard a few complaints that people had negative balances on Crowd Cloud because work that was accepted by an editor was later rejected by the person who contracted with Crowd Cloud. I’ve done about 200 tasks and have not had this happen. Just keep in mind, you are NOT going to make a million (or maybe not even 100) dollars on Crowd Cloud. However, if you’ve got an extra hour a day, you can generate some quick cash and the tasks are relatively simple. They also are working on higher paid tasks that you will be notified of from time to time (some paying as much as $20 a page) so keep checking your email. You don’t have to log into Facebook to find out if there is work if you set up mail alerts, but it’s not a bad idea to check in if you have some free time. For my ten cents, I like Crowd Cloud for light work that doesn’t require a lot of time or energy.
About Doreen Martel
Well-rounded freelance writer who contributes to various blogs, paid to write sites and revenue sharing sites. Doreen is legally blind and has worked at home for more than 10 years. She uses the lessons learned from this experience to enhance her writing and share information with others.
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