How to easily make money online typing names… Or can you?

Does that sound like a clickbait title to you? Well…it kinda is to be honest. Look, at least I’m being honest. Let’s dive into the world of people getting views and making money online of other people’s (like myself) innocence.

Ok, let me take you back in time.

This post presents opinions and own experiences, and should not be treated as professional advice. Read our Disclaimers for more information.

The backstory

About two years ago I discovered something – an idea that seemed so good it was almost impossible. You ask me what idea that was? I learned about making money online and passive income.

Now you’re slamming your forehead with the palm of your hand, aren’t ya? Yeah, it does seem like I’d been living under a rock, doesn’t it? 

It sounds ridiculous even to myself right now. How could I have been so ignorant?

The answer is easy. I was an average internet consumer who wasted their precious life on Youtube, Facebook and, above all, Pinterest.

And then I had my baby boy! OMG, was that a life-changer! Are you with me on this one? You there, in the back! Am I right or am I right, right?

All of a sudden I melted into a sticky pile of pink venom-like squishy blob. And I somehow stopped existing outside of my little human. Not entirely in a negative way (but that’s subject for another article), but in the words of Marshmallow and Lily Pad, “8 or higher, dude”. 

Suddenly, Facebook became a 4, Pinterest a 3, and Youtube maybe a 5… tops. 

And somehow I didn’t realize normal ordinary people were making money online! And not by actually having a physical shop and selling the stuff they’d already invested in, only online.

So when I “discovered” that you can actually be making money online, naturally I became curious. And started my research…

Damn, could my research be any more pointless (now I’m slapping my own forehead with the palm of my hand).

As you all well know, just because you’re not as naturally ignorant as your poor little author here, the Internet knows stuff about you… a whole lot of stuff you probably wouldn’t want for anyone to ever know… Well, IT (pun intended) knows…. 

Therefore, obviously, Youtube started showing me all these videos about how you can easily make money just by typing names! Imagine that! $200 for typing names! 

Soooo… I register in Squadhelp

I considered myself to be of the creative sort and pretty swell with words and such… So I thought I might have found my gold mine… And that gold mine would soon be mine… Buahahahaha!

In the unlikely event that I should not succeed, the man on the Internet (every time I write the word, I hear it in my head the way Jen from IT crowd would say it: the Internet) said that Squadhelp registration fee was just to ward off the people who are not committed enough to pay it, and that it’s refundable.

We-e-e-e-e-ll… I must say it is refundable… within 7 days… and the refund means you are no longer eligible to participate in the naming competitions.

You might think, well, it doesn’t matter. I register, make my $200, and ask for the refund.

Not a bad plan momma, not bad at all… Only that… when you just begin creating brand names with compatible available URLs that convey strength and technology, but are really creative and a real word at the same time, even if it’s misspelt (if that’s simply typing names then I’m Santa Clause🎅), you are only allowed a very limited number of competitions AND can only submit 3 names per contest. 

Plus, there’s actually more probability of there ever snowing in Egypt than there are of any of those contests finishing and being awarded a winner within those 7 days.

So it is practically impossible to make any money without the risk of not getting those $10 of registration fee back. Now, I realize it’s not a lot of money for everyone… But some of us here on the web who are not US citizens and are currently out of work and depending totally on your spouse to maintain your young family… Suddenly, those 10 bucks do seem a lot.

Now, should you hear in another of those enticing videos that there’s no risk, because the registration is free… Just… just… bear with me… Do not fall for it! It’s all about the wording. Yes, the registration in Squadhelp as such is free. Remember, they sell the branding and the domains, so you can register for free as a paying customer (who obviously pays later on). But if you want to participate in the naming competitions as a creative, you have to pay the aforementioned $10 fee.

So, is Squadhelp legit?

To be honest, which I plan to be always, I don’t know. I’m not being very helpful now, right?

Well, I am writing about my experience. So far I have only participated in seven naming contests. I only got one smiley face under one of the names I entered. Still, it didn’t get me anywhere near winning the competition. And you have to win a competition to actually get paid. Personally, I don’t know anyone who’s made any money on Sqaudhelp. However, I do think you can actually do it, especially if you know a thing or two about selling domains. The thing is, it’s definitely not an easy and quick way to make a living.

You might actually get an update when I have a go at it again, because I did enjoy the creative process, the research, toying with words, ideas and meanings. That is the thing though! Even if you can make money on websites like that, it’s not a quick fix! And it’s not a reliable steady income either.

I found a pretty interesting review of Squadhelp here (not sponsored or affiliated in any way, just want to be helpful). It also presents you with the process of competing as a creative.

There are also Sitejabber where Squadhelp has over 2500 reviews with an average of 4,5 stars. Remember though, that Squadhelp has paying customers who review their service as brand creators and domains sellers. There are, however, some rather harsh opinions about their site. Here (not an affiliate link) you can read a very critical, accusation-throwing, passionate review from a creator’s perspective.

Do your research… And do it well

To sum up, I haven’t participated in a lot of contests on Squadhelp and cannot guarantee, from my point of view, that they actually pay their creatives. Online reviews might be written by the company themselves (the positive ones) or their competitors (the negative ones), so I don’t trust them entirely either.

What I can say for sure is that I jumped at it too quickly without doing proper research. Don’t fall in the trap of video creators promoting any quick easy online money. They gain from your views, your likes, comments and shares. And majority of them are simply not telling the whole truth.

I consider myself to be pretty awesome, but I am not perfect, I make mistakes and I sure do not know everything about everything. So as far as my opinions go, take what you want, and then do your research either way!

Comment

If you have a story to share or a comment to help fellow online struggling mommas, do not hesitate to scribble a little somthn-somthn down below. We can all learn from each other’s experiences.

If there is a site, an app, an idea about side hustles, online jobs, quick and easy online money making that you saw somewhere and would like me to check out and write about, let me know in the comments below as well.

I will continue on the topic of making money online, because I’ve seen many short videos promoting various sites. And they are so sweet! They make it all sound easy and fast, but from what I’ve seen so far, there is very little truth to it.