I'd especially be interested in hearing from czh. How do you sign up
to become an internet researcher?  I especially enjoyed your summary
of healing retreats in Southern California.  I have done a lot of
research both for companies I've worked for, and for my own use, and
would now love to know how to become, and sign up as, an internet
researcher, especially since my corporate job just ended. Suggestions?

---

Request for Question Clarification by arimathea-ga on 10 Aug 2003 16:37 PDT

jlm77-ga,

Are you specifically talking about Google Answers, or general Internet
research, or both?

---

Clarification of Question by jlm77-ga on 10 Aug 2003 18:37 PDT

How to be an internet researcher, and sign up with as many programs
out there as possible.  Yes, definitely interested in how to do that
with Google, but would also want to know how to do that with other
organizations as well.  Also would be interested in:
1.  Anyone's story of how they got started
2.  What worked/what didn't
3.  Any information resources available (books, internet articles,
etc.)
4.  What people do "in addition" to being an internet researcher
(complementary pprojects/skills)
5.  And, has anyone yet written an e-book on this, and if not, wants
an virtual partner to do that with.

---

Request for Question Clarification by czh-ga on 11 Aug 2003 10:03 PDT

Hello jlm77-ga,

Thank you for your comments about my "healing retreats" answer. I'd
love to do the research for your question but I will be tied up all
day today and will not be able to get to it until tomorrow. Is this
OK? If you're in a hurry I'm sure someone else will be able to help
you.

czh

Hello jlm77-ga,

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get to your question sooner. I hope that
the information I’ve collected will help you move forward in your
quest for work as a researcher or information specialist. Tehuti has
shared some wonderful insights to address your question. A variety of
similar questions have been asked about becoming a Google Answers
Researcher through the year that the service has operated. I’ve
collected these prior answers so that you can quickly and easily
review the information and insights that were previously shared by
many different researchers.

In addition, I’ve collected some articles on finding online
researching jobs along with sample Internet Researcher job postings.
These will give you background information about what it takes to
become a researcher and a view to the realities of the current
marketplace. I think you’ll find the Super Searcher books especially
useful.

Starting a sole proprietor service business is very challenging. The
biggest question you have to answer is: “Who are my customers?”
Identifying your target market, reaching them to offer your services
and convincing them to pay for what you have to offer will take up a
significant chunk of your time. If you don’t like marketing yourself,
you will not be able to stay in business. Be sure to explore how to
run a service/consulting business before you make your final decision
about becoming a researcher.

I wish you well in your explorations of future career options.

czh

=========================================
HOW TO BECOME A GOOGLE ANSWERS RESEARCHER
=========================================

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=242110
Q: Choosing Google researchers
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=242035
Q: answers.google.com
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=223858
Q: size of online market research industry
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=211065
Q: Internet researching - how to improve
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=204301
Q: The Best of Google Answers (
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=184280
Q: Photos of researchers
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=183866
Q: Research
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=178189
Q: Location of researchers
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=139964
Q: Internet Research Techniques/Tips
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=137545 
Q: PROFESSIONAL READERS
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=135377
Q: How can I apply for this job?
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=92163
Q: Starting a Professional Research Service
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=76454
Q: Question answering
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=71183
Q: Internet research services similar to Google Answers
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=65787
Q: any German researchers?
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=39618
Q: Pay rates for Google Answers research
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=17423
Q: What's the process Google follow to select candidates for Google
Answers? (

=============================================
ARTICLES/RESOURCES FOR INTERNET RESEARCH JOBS
=============================================

http://www.rediff.com/search/2002/jul/16money.htm
Making Money Online
But not everything online is a scam: There are feasible options for
making some money online. And we're not talking about earning $0.05
dollars to read ads or email!
Knowledge or information based services that require you to use your
experience or skills are a good way to make money. Some sites hire
your services for their clients; others put you in touch with people
who need your services.
***** This article lists about a dozen opportunities for earning money
in online research.

http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/jobs.html
Information Resources for Information Professionals -- Jobs for
Information Professionals
***** This is a slightly dated collection of links but the basic
categories and background information are still valid.

http://directory.google.com/Top/Reference/Libraries/Library_and_Information_Science/Employment/
Reference > Libraries > Library and Information Science > Employment
***** The directory listings should help you explore possible
vocational and job opportunities in online research.

http://www.infotoday.com/supersearchers/
The Super Searchers Web Page is provided as a bonus to readers of the
Super Searchers series of books, edited by renowned author and online
searcher Reva Basch and published by Information Today, Inc. (CyberAge
Books) Each Super Searchers book features interviews with 8-12 top
online searchers in a specific discipline, providing context that is
essential for anyone who wishes to make full use of The Super
Searchers Web Page and its links.
***** This page offers an excellent library of books for anyone
interested in searching.
Currently, links to global business, primary research, mergers &
acquisitions, news, writing, health & medicine, investment, business,
entrepreneurial research, legal, advertising/market research, and
competitive intelligence information resources are featured here.

http://www.brint.com/interest.html 
BRINT 'The BizTech Network' is the premier knowledge resource and
global community network for Business Technology, Information Economy,
and, Knowledge Management executives, professionals, researchers, and
entrepreneurs.
***** If you can cope with the hopelessly cluttered design this is a
very good site to explore the big picture on topics that might help
you get a job in the areas you’ve listed.

=======================================
SAMPLE INTERNET RESEARCHER JOB POSTINGS
=======================================

http://contractedwork.com/rt.cfm?p=1&SubCatID=93
Home  >  Service Providers  >  Business  >  Research 

http://www.ebintelligence.co.uk/jobs.html 
International Freelance Business Researcher - Environmental Business
Intelligence

http://portland.craigslist.org/ofc/14762781.html
Part-time Administrative Assistant/Internet Researcher needed

http://tinyurl.com/k24q
Internet Researcher, Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

http://tinyurl.com/k259
Internet Research Intern, Management Recruiters International (MRI),

http://www.popcornmedia.com/html/body_jobs.html
Internet Researcher - Popcorn Media

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sourcer-Jobs/message/507
Internet Research Specialist, Howard Systems International (HSI)

http://freelance.smarthunt.com/profile.cfm?portfolioid=1778
Athenix Group   Internet Researcher  

===============
SEARCH STRATEGY
===============
"internet/online/business researcher" jobs
freelance business research jobs

If you are qualified to be an internet researcher, shouldn't you be
able to do some internet research to find out the answer to this
question yourself? Just a thought

Absolutely!  But I'm also in the midst of applying for a new position,
researching possible places to relocate, researching intentional
communities, and looking for project work and potential virtual
partners. So...would much rather an "expert" tell me how they became
an internet researcher...While I continue on my path of other research
projects.

Google Answers is not currently taking on any more researchers. I'm
not convinced that other competing web sites offer much potential.

With respect to marketing yourself through other routes, unless your
previous experience is highly relevant, you might have problems
convincing potential clients of your ability, regardless of whether or
not you actually possess it.  A degree or postgraduate qualification
in library and information studies would help, but again people will
be looking for experience in particular areas of information.

Complementary skills:  

Writing ability is important, because you will not get very far if you
cannot present the results of your searches in a coherent manner. With
writing skills, you could also consider the possibility of producing
and selling articles to online or hardcopy publications, especially
those catering to your areas of experience and interest, although
competition is tough in this market.

Languages are helpful, because, despite some beliefs to the contrary,
there is a lot of information out there that is not available in
English. You will provide added value if you can supply information
gleaned from sources in other languages.

If you can combine language skills with specific subject knowledge
from previous study or employment, you can also extend your services
to the provision of translations.  Although I have no linguistic
qualifications as such, I have come to grips with some languages over
the years.  A translation agency places clinical and biomedical
projects with me on a regular basis, because I am familiar not only
with the terminology, but also with the concepts and therefore supply
accurate translations.

Another skill I obtained through home study is that of book indexing.
This demands a wide general knowledge and the ability to verify facts,
for which Internet search skills are highly useful.  You need to have
a fairly logical and ordered mind, be accurate, with an eye for
detail, and have an ability to grasp and analyse concepts quickly and
to decide on the various terms under which readers might search for
them.

I'm still combining freelance activities with a job, partly because
for personal reasons I cannot afford a cut in income at present. Most
people I know, who work solely for themselves, providing information,
indexing, editorial or translation services, say it takes 2-3 years of
hard work and serious marketing to get established sufficiently to
make a proper living from such activities. I have a feeling that this
home truth will not prove attractive to the "get rich quick" culture
that seems to be targeted by most e-books offered for sale on the Net.

Thank you for your comments.  Yes, book indexing...I remember that I
once looked into that as well.  Thanks for "jiggling my memory" about
that one.

Yes, I absolutely understand it's not a "get rich quick scheme". 
Perhaps the e-book could be more targeted to the intellectually
curious who know they enjoy working on their own, either researching,
or through organizing material.  Are you from the U.K.? (analyse as
opposed to analyze)Would be very interested in learning about your
book indexing experience if possible.

Yes, I am from the UK.  With respect to indexing, I took the
correspondence course of the Society of Indexers.  You can find out
about it on the Society's web site: http://www.indexers.org.uk/  Go
into "Services for indexers".  As well as information about the
course, there is also fairly detailed information about indexing as a
career.

I can't give you any specific information about the course, because a
new one has just been launched, which can be done online rather than
by snail mail.  I have heard that it is an improvement on the old
course.  The old course taught me how to index, but it was rather
tedious in places.  Partly because of that, partly because of other
pressures and commitments, it took me 4 years to become accredited -
other people have done it in 12-18 months.  I succeeded in all five
exams (now four) at first go, although no. 4 was almost a disaster.
The exams are done at home, but with a fairly dire deadline period
(especially if you are working full time otherwise). The examiners are
rigorous, and will dock marks for the most trivial errors and
omissions.  To be fair, 4/5 examiners I had were also very encouraging
about the good parts of my work and made numerous helpful comments
about the parts where I needed to improve. My lips remain sealed about
the remaining one, as Google Answers is a family-friendly site!!!

There is another correspondence course, BIPT
http://www.lodge-moffat.co.uk/bipt.html  This is also recognised by
the SI in terms of allowing you entry into the Indexers Available list
of qualified indexers that is maintained on the SI web site and sent
in hard copy to publishers. Your name goes onto this as soon as you
qualify, provided you pay the fee, which is about £35 per year. 
However, to remain on after the first two years, you have to show that
you have prepared at least two indexes in the previous two years.

Following on from this, you can go on to become a Registered Indexer
after two years as an Accredited or BIPT-qualified indexer.  This
requires you to submit an index for criticism together with a detailed
analysis and justifications of the various decisions and compromises
made during its preparation. However, the pass rate on this is very
low.  It has become a controversial topic, with some indexers seeing
it as the Holy Grail and others considering it not worth the effort,
money, stress and potential humiliation involved. It is rumoured that
some publishers will only hire Registered Indexers.  On the other
hand, one of the editors I work for did not even know what I meant
when I told her I had become accredited, and cared even less!

Actually, I do also know people who just started indexing and carried
on without finishing (some even without starting) the course. I
personally felt more secure doing the course.  However, I produced my
first index only three months into my indexing studies.  Someone from
a publishing company visited my workplace.  In a quiet moment I
mentioned that I was interested in getting some editing work and was
duly sent the company's proofreading exam.  When I replied to the
message telling me I had passed, I happened to mention I was doing an
indexing course. Within a short time, I had an editor on the phone
begging me to do an index. Since then, I have had 3-4 regular
commissions a year.  Until recently, that was my only client. 
However, an indexer who knows of my interests then recommended me to
another company for an index on a book concerning a topic in which I
have a strong interest, although only as an amateur.  He did not feel
inspired to take on that project.  I, on the other hand, was over the
moon at finally getting to index a book that I would want to read
anyway. I am still waiting for those proofs to come (there was a
delay), but in the meantime the same client asked me to do another
index on a totally unrelated topic.  Ironically, so far I have only
indexed one book that is even distantly related to my professional
qualifications! I have not yet made any serious efforts to market
myself.

Pay for indexing varies, but you won't become a millionaire for sure! 
The SI recommends a minimum of £16 per hour, and that is for a simple
index of a book aimed at the general public.  Complicated, academic
books, other books that require spacialist subject knowledge, and
multiauthor books should comamnd a significantly higher rate.  In
reality, editors often offer a per page rate or a rate for the job as
a whole, and tend not to be very ready to negotiate.  It is up to you
to decide if a job is worth your while.  I am only just starting to
speed up, so my initial hourly rates were probably less than those of
a burger flipper.  On the other hand, I do know someone who has
managed to provide for his family purely by indexing, and some of the
page rates he mentions are more than double what I have managed to be
offered so far. Also, the indexing speeds (pages/hour) mentioned by
some people are more than double what I achieve! Eventually, as you
become known to more editors, you are able to pick and choose.  At
present, I take most of what I am offered for the experience. Subject
knowledge can help.  For example, legal, technical and medical
indexers are in quite high demand and can often get good rates.  I
will be focusing on medicine and biology in my marketing, although I
also want to get some commissions that will be more fun to do.

The start-up costs are not terrible.  Membership of the Society is
currently £60 per year. The course costs about £300, but you pay for
one unit and one exam at a time. A number of books and international
standards are recommended.  I got away with paying £55 for the most
important international standard, and looking up the others in the
public library when I needed them for an exam. I didn't buy any books
at all, but did get to review one for a library/info sci magazine so
got to keep it for free!  I made the decision to buy indexing software
immediately and use it for all my exam work.  There are three main
programs from the UK, US and Australia.  All do pretty much the same
and are similarly priced, but the interface is very different. I
downloaded demos of all three, found one totally off-putting, one very
intuitve and didn't look too closely at the third, since I decided the
second suited me just fine.  It cost about £200.

To return to the e-book.  There are already some good general training
resources out there, eg. http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk/  People wanting to
make a good living out of Internet research would have to have
excellent skills in business research, which actually is an area about
which I, being a scientist, know very little.  I am not aware of any
single resource on the Net that looks at business info searching in a
really detailed and comprehensive way, probably partly because many of
the resources are fee-based and so it would require an investment to
access them in order to inform about their utility and how to use
them. So maybe that is a potential lead?  However, you would have to
be prepared to produce frequent updates, since the Net changes so
rapidly.  Four years ago, I produced a resource at work on Internet
searching which focused more on the biomedical areas.  My boss
insisted we publish it in hard copy, and now I cringe when I look at
it, because most of it is obsolete!!!

What a great answer! Brava, czh!

This makes me want to rush right out and get a job as a researcher. ;-)

pinkfreud, Google Answers Researcher

I found that volunteering research to genealogical groups, especially
doing lookups in my town gave me enormous experience in understanding
the processes of research. I am no longer volunteering because I have
since taken a great job in the research field and no longer have the
time to dedicate to the volunteer work that helped launch me into my
current careet.