How to Be an Online Researcher

Becoming an Online Researcher

1.

Learn about the online research field. There are many instances where conducting online research can be useful. For writers, it can be necessary to gather facts or learn about a new field and then apply it into writing. There are also people paid strictly to research online. But because this is typically a work-at-home field, you must be leery about the sources you use to find jobs. Additionally, you must possess advanced research skills and know more than how to type keywords into a search engine to be a solid researcher.

2.

Analyze your credentials. While you do not have to possess a degree to be an online researcher, it can certainly be useful to have one. If you are doing research for an academic institution, it will likely require at least a bachelor's degree. If you are conducting research on a freelance basis, you likely will not need a degree. It all depends on the job you're seeking.

3.

Browse websites to find jobs. I recommend searching job boards that have a strong reputation to find jobs, instead of a niche board. This is because there are many market research/survey-taking scams related to the concept of 'online research.' To find legitimate opportunities, stick to websites such as www.monster.com or www.indeed.com. You can search terms like 'online researcher' or 'online research,' and also 'market research' or simply 'research.' If you want to enter into market research, for example, you can use 'market research,' but if you want to be a researcher for an academic avenue, try 'research and writing' as well.

4.

Market yourself as an online researcher. Instead of simply applying to jobs, you can also set yourself up as a researcher. With this format, you are reaching out to clients to let them know what you have to offer. Maybe you can compile research for business plans and pitch yourself to small start up businesses. Creating a website and listing your credentials on it will go a long way to help you position yourself as an online researcher.

How do I Monetize a Free Website?

1. Go to the Google Adsense website (see Resources). Sign up for an Adsense account. Select the size you want your ads to be and the color scheme for both the background and text of the the ads. Copy the html code the site generates after you've completed the ad design. Take that code and place it on your site to make Google Adsense ads display on your webpages.

2. Go the ClickBank website (see Resources). Sign up for an account. Search for a product in the Clickbank marketplace that interests you either by putting keywords in the search box or searching by category. Click on the product and copy your personal Clickbank hop code for the product. Paste the code onto your site where you want an advertisement for the product to display.

3. Create your own product by writing an ebook or an informational report. You can also hire a freelancer to write the ebook or report for you. Go to a site like Ejunkie and upload your informational product. Ejunkie will give you a code you can place on your site that will produce a 'buy now' graphic and send people to download your product. Put the html code on your site.

How to Put Ads on a Website to Make Money

1. Review your website to identify areas in which you wish to put ads. Prime spots on a page include the top 300 pixels of a page, as well as the top left-hand side of a page. The least viewed and least read areas of a web page include the bottom half of the page and the footer area.

2. Determine how you wish to solicit markets and companies to advertise on your website. One of the most popular and easiest methods is to sign up for a third party advertising management program, such as Google AdSense or Yahoo! Publisher for text ads and ValueClick Media for banner ads (see the Resources section for links). Such programs allow you to insert a simple HTML code while the third party manages the ad and pays you for each view or click. Additionally, you may choose to contact businesses individually and offer your own advertising packages.

3. Register for an account with the third party program (such as Google AdSense), or create your own advertising packages and contact other businesses or websites that may be interested in advertising on your website. If you choose the latter route, determine an appropriate price to charge for advertisements. Contact similar websites and ask what they charge, and adjust accordingly for your website's individual demographics or visit numbers. Then, identify companies that would be interested in advertisements. For example, if your website is about dog care, companies that sell dog food or dog toys may be interested in advertising.

4. Upload the advertisement on your website. If using a third party resource, such as Yahoo! Publisher or Google AdSense, you will be provided with a short JavaScript or HTML code. Copy the code from your account page and paste it into your website where you want the ads to appear. The ad will automatically be served and displayed on your web page. If you are personally managing your advertisers, request that they send you a link as well as a banner image (or, if they wish to use text advertising, a short copy of their text ad) and upload to your web page.

5. Monitor the monetary success of your advertisements and tweak your web page to maximize your revenue. For example, if you are being paid for each click, you may wish to test ad locations to identify areas on your website that attract the most clicks. If you are being paid for each view, implement methods of gaining more traffic, such as search engine marketing or advertising your own website.

How to Remove Low CPC Bidders

1. Start compiling a list of advertisers on your website. Use tools like the Google AdSense Sandbox tool to preview what kind of ads are showing up on your site. Browse your site through various proxies to get a sense for what kinds of ads are showing up for different people. Record the advertiser's URLs in a spreadsheet.

2. Using spy tools like SpyFu, Compete or Keyword Spy, estimate the CPC your advertiser is paying per click. Unfortunately, in Google AdSense and in most online bidding platforms you can't actually see what each individual advertiser is paying. However, by using third-party spy tools you can get an idea of who's bidding low and who's bidding high. Keep in mind that most of this data is based on search pay-per-click (PPC) rather than contextual PPC, so the data will be skewed a little higher.

3. Identify your lowest paying advertisers and put their domains in a list. Make sure that if you remove these advertisers you'll still have enough high paying advertisers to continually display ads on your site. If you remove too many advertisers you might start displaying public service ads (PSA) that don't pay.

4. Using Google AdSense's 'allow and block' interface, block the advertisers that you've identified as low bidders.

How to Adapt to a New Culture

1. Maximize exposure to the host culture before departure. Read about everyday life in the destination. Visit appropriate hometown ethnic restaurants and grocery stores to gain exposure to the new culture's food and develop familiarity with the flavors. In addition to gaining as much linguistic proficiency as possible, develop familiarity with popular music and entertainment in the host country. Watch films and stream radio broadcasts or music videos for exposure.

2. Upon arrival, develop a daily routine as quickly as possible. Establish a sleep schedule, eat healthfully and exercise at regular times. Make a point to establish familiarity by finding favorite local coffee shops and parks to avoid culture shock that can arise due to feelings of complete loss of control over life. Some choices may be limited due to language barriers or having to adjust to being the guest of a host family. But maximize available choices through reading materials and ways to spend free time.

3. Maintain relationships with family and friends at home through video chat, letters and email. Create a website or share photographs electronically to engage longtime friends in your experience. Building new friendships in the host culture can also be critical to happiness. Be friendly and invite schoolmates, workmates or neighbors to go walking or out for coffee.

4. Strive to maintain a flexible, positive attitude. Living in a foreign country is an invaluable opportunity full of excitement and challenges. Though it may seem extremely difficult, remember to be a student of the host country's way of life. Laugh at your social or linguistic mistakes. Experience new foods and traditions with an open mind. Flexibility is a critical component of successful adjustment.

How to Become a Food Columnist

1. Attend an accredited college or university, studying journalism, writing or the culinary arts. If you choose to major in journalism or writing, it is still a good idea to pursue electives in the culinary arts. To be an effective and well-respected food columnist, you must not only write well, but have a well-defined palate, be well-versed in a variety of cuisines and understand the intricacies of creating dishes.

2. Determine the market for whom you wish to write. There are avenues available for food columnists. Create your own food blog or write for one already established. Gourmet food magazines as well as local magazines are also an option. Newspapers often have food and restaurant reviews sections. You can find job openings online and magazine submission information in The Writer's Market as well as online writer's outlets.

3. Monetize your food blog. There are several options to pursue to make your blog profitable. Adding Google Adsense or other advertisements, writing paid product reviews and employing affiliate marketing are just a few. Do not bombard your blog with links and advertisements, as this may turn off readers. The more readers you have for your blog, the more money you stand to make.

4. Create a resume, showcasing your skills as a writer and any culinary degrees, awards or classes you have completed. Prepare a writing sample specific to the job for which you are applying. For example, a writing example that critiques a restaurant may be better suited when applying for a newspaper. Creating a recipe for an exotic meal may work best for a gourmet food magazine.

5. Apply to a variety of food columnist jobs. Continue to attend cooking classes and conventions, networking as much as possible. Be prepared to work for free for a while to build your reputation and gain experience.

How to Make Google Your Homepage Tab

1. Click the Windows logo, type 'Internet Explorer' into the search and click the link.

2. Type in the Google Web address into the address field.

3. Click the drop-down menu next to the 'Home' icon and click 'Add or Change Home Page.'

4. Click 'Use this webpage as your only home page' if you want to have just one tabbed home page or 'Add this webpage to your home page tabs' if you want multiple tabs to open at start.

5. Click 'Yes.'