Did you know that it’s possible to get paid to talk to lonely people?
While it may seem like an unusual way to make a living, there is a great need for online and in-person companions, and people are willing to pay decent money to create a meaningful bond with a fellow human.
According to a survey, 36% of Americans experience “serious loneliness” meaning that over a third of all people are in dire need of some human connection at all times.
Loneliness can lead to depression and anxiety and as we are social beings at heart, too much time spent in our own company can have detrimental effects on our physical health too.
In this blog post, we’ll be covering 5 websites where you can get paid to talk to lonely people, both online and in person. Whether you’re happy to show your face or would rather be a keyboard warrior, we’ve got options for you.
Why Do Companies Pay You To Talk To Lonely People?
Believe it or not, not everyone finds it easy to start a conversation with a stranger in line at Starbucks. Some people find real-life socializing daunting and so head to the internet to fill their interaction needs.
As such, there are now many companies to fill the gap in the market and provide people with a safe space to chat online.
Alternatively, some people have an event coming up and they are filled with dread at the idea of turning up alone.
Whether they want a plus one with them to make a football game more fun or to impress their ex-bullies at a high school reunion, there are many reasons why someone might turn to the website and pay for an escort service.
How Much Can You Make By Talking To Lonely People?
The amount you can get paid to chat with people online varies between companies. On some websites, you can earn an hourly rate, which tends to be the most lucrative and fair payment option.
On others, you may make a flat rate per text, get paid by the minute for phone calls, or be paid a total regardless of how many messages you exchange.
Depending on the website you choose, you may find yourself making an extra few hundred bucks per month, and enjoy having a bit of extra “fun money”.
Alternatively, you can make your entire salary and quit your corporate job for good.
Tips For Talking To Lonely People
In order to get paid to talk to lonely people, you’ll need to have great communication skills. These people often just want someone to listen, so work on your questioning skills to ensure you’re the most interesting conversation partner you can be.
You’ll also want to ensure that you’re open-minded as these conversations can get personal.
Many websites will also require you to make your own profile. It’s advisable to create an online identity separate from your real-life identity to protect yourself.
Don’t give away personal details, such as your full name, address, or credit card information to anyone you meet online, regardless of how authentic you seem or how long you’ve been chatting with them.
It’s also not advisable to arrange a social meet-up with a client outside of those organized by the platform, as it’s impossible to tell who you’re actually talking with.
These two tips will help protect your own safety while engaging in this kind of work.
However, some websites do offer an “escort” style service and arrange in-person meet-ups in exchange for money. These platforms have their own safety features in place to ensure the well-being of their workers.
However, you should still use your fake persona in order to minimize the risk of these events.
Another must is to do your own research on any website before signing up and making money by talking to lonely people. While it’s not often that scams on these types of sites catch people out, it can happen if you’re not vigilant.
How To Get Paid To Talk To Lonely People
Here are 5 websites that all offer slightly different services, meaning you’re bound to find a great option that suits your needs. Without further ado, let’s jump into these platforms that will pay you to talk to lonely people.
Rent A Cyber Friend
As its name suggests, Rent A Cyber Friend is one of the best places to get paid to talk to lonely people online.
You get paid per minute of video chatting and you can withdraw your earnings directly to your bank account. You must be over 18 to sign up and have a smartphone or computer with a camera.
One of the benefits of this platform is that you can set your own rates. You’ll also list your own personal hobbies, which means you’ll have a greater chance of creating meaningful connections with like-minded people.
Texting Factory
If you’d rather remain completely anonymous and sign up to Texting Factory, where you’ll get paid to message people, without needing to show your face on video chats.
You can work as much or as little as you want and there are opportunities to earn more on specific days.
The platform pays per week and workers averagely make between US$300 and US$400 each week, totaling between US$1,200 and US$1,600 per month.
Once you’ve applied and been accepted, you’ll go through a training process, in order to ensure you get the help you need when starting out. In order to get paid to talk to lonely people this way, you’ll need access to a PC or laptop, as well as fluency in English.
TexKings
If you’re happy to chat about adult-themed topics, you can make between €0.06 (US$0.06) and €0.12 (US$0.13) per message you send as a text chat operator for TexKings.
This gives you the opportunity to earn between US$100 and US$500 each month, making it an excellent side hustle to work around your current job. Alternatively, make between US$15 and US$24 per hour of talk time, flirting with people over the phone.
While the nature of these conversations can be extremely explicit, those with an open mind may find it’s an easy way to make extra cash.
Rent A Friend
Rent A Friend gives you the option to become a virtual companion to lonely people via video calls and text messages, or physically form a friendship through in-person meetups.
While this can seem risky, the website is dedicated to keeping your identity anonymous, meaning if you choose to meet someone from the site, you can create a fake identity for yourself.
In order to start earning money from the site, you’ll need to sign up for a membership fee, which costs US$25 per month or US$70 per year.
This is an escort service, meaning that you may get taken as a plus one to a luxurious event, such as a ball, party, or wedding. Alternatively, you may simply hang out with a member of the site and watch a movie — a pretty easy way to make a living.
You can set your own prices, which start at US$10 per hour. However, some online friends choose to waive the fee if they’re being taken to a hot event, such as a sports game.
Rent A Local Friend
Rent A Local Friend is a similar site to the one mentioned above. However, it focuses on providing companionship to those nearby your location.
You can choose to be a remote concierge, providing people in your city with tips and tricks to make the most of their visit. Alternatively, meet up in person by providing the service of a local friend, and guide them around the best spots in your destination.
If neither of these sound like the perfect fit for you, you can work as a virtual friend, chatting with local people online.
You’ll be paid through PayPal and you can set your own rates, although the platform advises an hourly fee of US$20. You’ll earn 70% of however much you charge, with the website taking a 30% cut.
There is also a fee upon registering that ranges from US$55-US$75.
Final Thoughts On Getting Paid To Talk To Lonely People
If you’re a chatty Cathy, getting paid to talk to lonely people online or in person may be the perfect job for you.
It doesn’t require high overhead fees, you’ll talk to different people every day, and you can work from home anytime you like.
Depending on how much you choose to work, this can also be a fairly lucrative option for those who are great communicators.
If you’re looking for different ways to make money online, check out the following blog posts:
