TURN YOUR PHONE INTO A MONEY-MAKING MACHINE: GET PAID TO REVIEW APPS
Here are the main points to remember Writing high-quality reviews has turned into an easy and profitable side gig. Thousands of apps come out weekly, and while some do get publicity, most still go unnoticed. App reviewing, however, remains a consistently profitable and in-demand market. Individuals can still take their smartphones and review apps or services, which creates an ecosystem akin to blogging. But, of course, each review is limited to a mobile domain.The main websites that offer this kind of work include AppNana, Apperwall, and BestReviewApp.For app reviewers to most effectively monetize their time, they need to focus on writing exceptional reviews that the developers and users of apps take note of and either reward directly or increase the chances of their reviews being read and discussed by other people.Although changing your phone into a money-making contraption is often seen as a good and positive thing, considering the upsides of it, such as the flexibility and the potential to earn a lot of money, one has to be aware of the downsides and shouldn't paint an unrealistic picture of what's possible with this endeavor. One vicissitude that comes to mind is that this can potentially lead to forays into the realm of scams and things that are not above board at all.App reviewing's future holds exciting trends and opportunities for individuals to continue earning a side income by writing up app experiences. Why? Because we've followed the money, the motivations, and the methods of those who have already done it. In this series, we'll teach you everything we've learned so far about app reviewing: the best ways to make money, countervailing trends to be aware of, ethical questions to mull over, and kind of the side looks into a particularly cutting-edge space where people have landed from all sorts of backgrounds and for all sorts of reasons.
Tips for Writing High-Quality App Reviews that Get Noticed To get noticed in the crowded app review world, you must be a compelling writer who can grab a reader's attention from the very beginning. There are a few secret techniques for doing just that, and this tip sheet will introduce you to some of them. The surefire way to get (and keep) a reader's attention is to write an app review that is informative, useful, and honest. When you do this, you are providing something of value to readers—a portable slice of knowledge that they can take with them and use before making an informed decision about whether to download the reviewed app.Writing app reviews requires more than just a basic understanding of good writing and the app in question. One vital and often overlooked aspect is ensuring that the review can be found easily on the internet. This "search engine optimization" (SEO) is not as difficult or as technical as it might sound. Essentially, it means making the review better understood by search engines so that it appears higher up in the results. With a few simple things in mind, you can easily do SEO in your app reviews and potentially attract a larger number of readers.
Over the last few years, the demand for app reviews has reached new heights. This is due largely to businesses and developers using reviews as a way to push their apps into the hands of more users. App reviews are essentially a form of advertisement, but they take on a more natural and conversational tone. We have certainly seen the practice go through many iterations through the years, but it has always been seen as an opportunity for side income to those who enjoy using technology. And with the number of new apps being created each day, and more being launched onto the marketplace, the demand for app reviews has never been greater.The app industry continues to grow, with many platforms offering millions of apps for easy download. Because of this, the demand for reviews has also risen considerably. This has created a market for people like me to set up shop as app reviewers. We can cash in on our deep experience with a wide range of apps and — this is the part I love — share our thoughts and opinions with a real, live audience that seems to appreciate our work. Yes, it's a living for some of us, and a quite decent one at that. I personally don't make what I would call "a full-time income" from app reviews, but a few friends of mine do, and they make it look pretty effortless.
Earning Money by Evaluating Apps can be a great way to put your Smartphone to work Becoming an app reviewer is a direct path to a healthy paycheck. While most submit their opinions to the commonplace reviewing platforms that operate on the internet, a growing number are monetizing their feedback by turning it into the finished product. The National Association for Media Literacy defines "media creators" as "those who use their knowledge, skills, and abilities to express themselves and to communicate with others in the realm of media." For example, in the realm of apps, to make the best use of your time and to maximize your earnings potential, you can take one of three basic paths; work for an app review company, become a freelancer, or parlay your success into a paid opportunity.For app reviewers looking to make as much money as possible, it's all about the small details. Creating a good brand, putting together an outstanding writer's portfolio, and focusing on consistently writing reviews that are as good as can be will bring in clients. From a big-picture perspective, this is what an app reviewer should focus on. However, there are also some smaller things that can help an app reviewer to earn more. One of those things is staying ahead of the game. If an app reviewer can be the person the client turns to next for the next big thing, that client might be able to pay more.
Become an app reviewer today!
The Best Places to Earn Money by Reviewing Apps Many platforms and websites offer individuals the chance to earn by reviewing and testing apps. The most popular among these, like UserTesting and Apperwall, can be used to find work and are often user-friendly. At these locations, developers either connect with testers directly or offer a way for testers to find their apps for review. Testers may be paid either a flat rate or a rate based on the interaction and engagement (which can include the number of downloads) that their review generates. In addition to these popular platforms, some still go old school and use blogs, which can generate income through ads, and simply by using the platform of the blog itself to review apps.You need to take into account many things when picking a platform. What is the payment schedule like? Is it even offered, or is it still in a come-on stage? How easy is the platform to use? Some platforms look amazing and then transpire feeling as if they were developed by absolute beginners. What sort of apps can you anticipate having to review? Do you really want to look at gambling apps all day? Some actual users of these platforms have revealed the kind of first-person experience that counts: that these platforms can, and do, mislead and cheat.
Maximizing Your Earnings as an App Reviewer
There are lots of ways that people can try to earn a living as app reviewers, and some of them are actually pretty smart. One way is to focus on apps that pay more to have them reviewed, which just makes good sense. Why waste valuable time slogging through the kind of apps that most writers aren’t going to find very interesting, when you could be working your way through apps that you’d probably be using anyway if you had the time? But there’s another thing that sets the smart app reviewer apart from the pack: They pad their revenues from their high-rate ventures with other, lower-rate ones, using their emerging visibility to up the show-and-tell factor on those latter gigs.To earn as much money as possible, people should make sure that they review apps for as many different platforms as they can and take advantage of any freelance opportunities. At the same time, it is also crucial to manage time wisely and to go for the platforms that pay the most, when you have the chance. A little planning on the front end of things will make you more productive and will help you to earn more money in the long run.Even though app reviewing can yield a lot of money, it's crucial to account for the positives and negatives of converting your phone into a cash cow. The first benefit to consider is, of course, the perk of working from anywhere, anytime—unless you like your side hustles from the office of your "actual job" and have time to spare. The second benefit is that app reviewing lets you fully express your creative self. You can share your opinions and insights on the newest apps. Reviewing an app gives you a platform to artistically say whatever you want—within reason, of course—and it's even better when you get an audience that actually wants to hear or read what you have to say.Individuals can control the negatives of app reviewing by working with some good old industry advantages. First and foremost, you must establish boundaries. Regulations exist for a reason and they are there to protect you. Don't work too much, don't take on insurmountable amounts of work, and, for heaven's sake, don't do this without a day off here and there. These regulations also pertain to you listening to your instinct and telling you when you've worked enough and when you simply can't go on any longer. Being mindful of burnout and listening to your body goes a long way... also, you need to remember when pursuing side gigs that you've chosen to do this, so don't despair if it becomes too much because you can always simply stop and do something else.
Inside knowledge on the best ways to get jobs in app reviewing that pay well Getting high-paying app review gigs might take more than simply applying and waiting for the emails to roll in. In fact, many paid app reviewers we spoke to went the extra mile to ensure they built good relations with app developers and the companies they reviewed for. By doing this, you won't just be seen as a "glorified fan," but you'll also have a direct pipeline to many of the next big app-related happenings. Plus, you might get exclusive first looks at new apps, and apps that have yet to be released in the App Store.To secure well-paying positions reviewing apps, it helps to be seen as a knowledgeable person in the field with a good grip on industry ins and outs. And this, folks, is much easier to pull off than you might think. By truly understanding what's going on with user trends and app behavior, you can better predict what's going to work with the public and what isn't. That will give you a leg up on the competition. At this point, you're probably wondering just how in the heck you're going to accomplish that. Well, to start with, you need to stay informed about app industry developments. The best way to do that is simply to follow the latest news, events, and insights. Sharing some of that knowledge on your blog or social media platform of choice doesn't hurt, either.
Become an app reviewer today!
App Reviewing: Predicting the Future, Not Just Reflecting It The app industry keeps changing, and along with it, the act of reviewing apps has also taken on some new forms. Of these new trends in app reviewing, arguably the most exciting and interactive is the video app review. As opposed to the traditional written appraisal, the video version allows for the reviewer to not only explain and demonstrate the app's features and uses but to do so in an unforgettable and entertaining way. Above all, this new trend allows for a greatly expanded connection with the person watching the video.An area of potential in the app review business is the alliance of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies with apps. As more and more apps incorporate these technologies, there likely will be an increased necessity for reviewers who can adequately understand and assess these components of an app. Experts in AR and VR can provide invaluable feedback on these emerging tech features—just as app experts were from the get-go. Those individuals who are among the first to pick up on and work with the AR and VR technologies likely will find a great windfall and the possibility of app reviewing celebrities.
How to steer clear of swindles and trouble in the app reviewing world Although app reviewing can be a profitable side job, it is crucial to be aware of any scams or warning signs in the sector. One common red flag is that the developers don't provide enough information to the reviewers about what they ought to be doing, how well they should be doing it, or even when they should be doing it. Vigilant oversight, keeping eyes peeled, and thorough research into work-from-home opportunities help ensure that otherwise honest people don't get snared. And most importantly, editors like me are increasingly working together, sharing tips and warnings, to keep would-be scammers in check.It is important for people in the business of app reviewing to be cautious and thoughtful about their work. One way to be cautious is to establish some rules and guidelines ahead of time, either by way of a formal contract or a more informal agreement. What are the terms of our relationship if I'm the person being paid to tell you what I think about your app? Or, at a very basic level, what are you even paying me for? It's also a very good idea to keep one's wits about oneself and to be "on" as a mindful person should be when something seems really off. Does this industry not seem slightly suspect, from the inside? Because, of course, it is.
In summary, app reviewing has become a lucrative side gig for people who want to turn their smartphones into money-making machines and share what they understand about applications with massive audiences. The pay can be good, but the pay-to-play experience can be even better. That’s if you are willing to put in the time and work to understand trends, hone your reviewing skills, and keep up with the often fast-paced and sometimes shady industry. Still, with roughly 2.8 million apps available in the Google Play Store and approximately 2.2 million on the App Store at any given time, there are plenty of job opportunities waiting for you.
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Emma KellyFreelance/Financial Blogger | Affiliate Marketer, PathZen Ventures