In this article, I’ll share my personal experiences with several different companies that offer freelance chat support positions to allow you to determine which company is right for you (if any). I’ll also share tips and tricks that I’ve learned along the way.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Emphasize the importance of customer service secrets for freelancers. |
| Highlight the significance of online etiquette and communication etiquette tips. |
| Provide a comprehensive guide to online chat support, including step-by-step walkthroughs. |
| Explore unknown aspects of a freelance chat support career. |
| Offer insights into the secrets and strategies for freelancing success. |
| Share additional resources for further reading on freelancing and related topics. |
| Answer frequently asked questions about freelancing. |
What Is Online Chat Support?
Online chat support is an avenue for customers to seek help with the website or product-related issues. It’s usually available on a company website and mimics texting, but instead of talking to a friend, you’re talking to the organization’s customer service representative.
On the other side of the screen, there’s someone trained to respond to your questions and provide helpful information.
Companies use online chat support when they want to add another communication channel for their customers that can provide fast and convenient help. This differs from in-person customer service because it requires less time and effort from customers than physically going into a store or visiting a facility.
It also differs from phone customer service because instead of being on hold for hours, you can text back and forth with someone who has more time (and patience) than your average call center worker.
Building a strong foundation in customer service is essential for freelancers. Learn about the 12 customer service secrets that all freelancers need to know to provide exceptional support to their clients.
How To Apply For A Work From Home Online Chat Support Job?
You should go to the online chat support jobs section of any major job board, including and especially ones that are freelancing-specific.
Once you’ve found some openings, you’ll need to apply. The requirements for each site vary a bit, but the basic steps are the same:
Interested in pursuing a career in freelance chat support? Uncover 14 things you didn’t know about the freelance chat support industry and gain valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges it offers.
Make An Account On Their Website If You Don’t Already Have One
List your credentials (resume, cover letter, etc.)
Fill out any application forms they require. Some companies will require a background check or reference checks this is standard procedure in most industries. However, many don’t do any of these things so don’t let it deter you from applying.
As long as they ask for references and get them back by their deadline, it doesn’t really matter where those references come from because in most cases all we care about is whether or not the person has been within reachable distance before being hired on with us at least once before today’s date.
What Are The Requirements For Online Chat Support Jobs?
The list of requirements for an online chat support job is pretty basic. You will need:
A computer with a stable internet connection. While the company you are applying to may have a specification on what kind of machine they want you to use, most don’t really specify and just ask that you have a stable internet connection and a working machine.
Good English language skills – reading, writing, and speaking. Online chat support jobs require good communication skills as well as good typing skills. An average of 50 WPM is required for this type of job.
Good people skills. You should be able to deal with people from all walks of life: from the highly impatient customer who needs urgent assistance in getting back his account which was hacked 10 minutes ago, to the cool surf dude who wants to know where he can get wetsuits on sale this summer season, along with all kinds of customers in between.
Online etiquette plays a crucial role in maintaining a successful freelance career. Avoid these 13 online etiquette mistakes that could negatively impact your professional image and client relationships.
What Kind Of Training Will Do did You Get With Online Chat Support Jobs?
Online chat support jobs are not like regular jobs wherein you go to an office and get trained personally. These are online jobs so training is done over the Internet. The good news is that you will be paid for your training since it counts as overtime hours. The bad news is that the training is not always easy and fun.
Here are the types of training you will likely encounter for online chat support jobs:
- One-on-One Training with a Team Leader
- Self Study Modules
- Webinars/Online Seminars with a Class of Newbies
Are you looking to excel in the field of online chat support? Our comprehensive guide, The Complete Guide to Online Chat Support: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough, provides valuable insights and strategies to enhance your chat support skills and deliver exceptional customer service.
What did I love About Working As An Online Chat Support Agent?
You have a flexible schedule. If your schedule doesn’t mesh well with the traditional 9-to-5 job, then working as an online chat support agent may be for you. You can choose which clients you want to work for and set your own hours. As long as you meet the minimum number of hours per day or week, you’re free to work whenever is most convenient for you.
You can work from anywhere. Another great reason why many people are attracted to working as chat agents is that they can work from anywhere in the world provided they have internet access! If you dream of traveling the world but don’t want to put your career on hold, this kind of job could be ideal for you.
Plus it saves on gas money and wears and tear on your car because there’s no commuting involved.
Working in pajamas is awesome. Who doesn’t want to wake up ten minutes before they start their shift (and without dealing with traffic) and just head straight over to work? Even better than getting a few extra minutes of sleep is knowing that if someone calls in sick at work, all you have to do is stay home instead of feeling obligated (emotionally or legally) to go into the office.
What Makes Me Hate Working As An Online Chat Support Agent?
I recently accepted a permanent job at a software company in order to continue my career as an online chat support agent. I love my new position and the people I work with, but the hours are long and, you guessed it, there’s not much financial reward. This can be tough on my budget.
To make ends meet, I rely on freelance work for extra income when I need extra cash. However, working freelance doesn’t come without its own set of challenges and one of them is dealing with difficult customers.
We’ve all had the horror stories of customers who don’t read the terms of service or send us late fee notices because they were confused by our lack of easily accessible customer service FAQs. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg: some customers manage to be so annoying that no amount of friendly service could make them happy!
Effective communication is key in freelance work. Discover 10 communication etiquette tips that will help you navigate client interactions with professionalism and clarity.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, starting a chat support business is a viable business opportunity with plenty of potential to grow. However, it’s vital to have the right tools and strategies in place, because starting a successful business is not easy – especially one that relies on freelancers.
All in all, it’s never too late to start your own chat support company and reap numerous rewards provided you’re willing to learn from someone else’s mistakes.
I hope that I was able to help those who are looking for a work-from-home job.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further explore the topic:
8 Secrets of Successful IT Freelancers: Discover the secrets to success as an IT freelancer and learn valuable tips to thrive in the industry.
ChatGPT: The Secret to Upwork and Fiverr Freelancing Success as a Beginner: This Skillshare class offers insights and strategies to achieve freelancing success on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, specifically using ChatGPT.
40 Freelancing Secrets: Dive into this collection of 40 freelancing secrets to gain valuable knowledge and practical advice for building a successful freelance career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get Started As An Online Chat Support Agent?
Go to the “jobs” section of this website and look for [name of company].
What Is The Pay For Online Chat Support Agents?
Pay ranges from $8-$15+/hour depending on experience, qualifications, company, and more. Most companies pay weekly via PayPal or direct deposit.
What Are The Hours For Chat Support Agents?
Chat support jobs typically require a flexible schedule based on client demand. This can mean working at night or on weekends. Some clients need 24/7 coverage while others only need coverage during business hours.
There are generally enough shifts available so everyone can have a good work-life balance if they’re willing to schedule their time effectively. Other companies only have part-time schedules available (20 hrs/week) while some require a full-time commitment (40 hrs/week). Make sure to communicate your needs before signing up.
What Is Online Chat Support?
Online chat support is a form of customer service that allows customers to interact with you through text messages, audio calls, or even video calls. This is perfect for businesses that don’t have the budget to hire a full-time staff member but want to provide excellent customer service.
How Does It Work?
Customers will submit their questions to your website, and you will receive a notification on your phone or desktop computer. You can then choose which questions you want to answer (or delegate them) and respond accordingly.
The customer will have no idea what you look like or where you are located they will only see your name appear on their screen during the session!
I am a content writer, and I love what I do! Writing makes me feel like the words are flowing through my fingers, and then onto the keyboard, like magic. My experience as a writer has taught me that writing makes me feel good, as well as helps others to feel better too!