How to make money Amazon Mechanical Turk

Making money with Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) involves completing various tasks that are posted by requesters. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get started and optimize your earnings:

1. Sign Up for MTurk

• Create an Account: Go to the Amazon Mechanical Turk website and sign up as a worker. You’ll need an Amazon account to register.
• Complete Your Profile: Fill out your profile with accurate information to increase your chances of being accepted for tasks.

2. Understand the Types of Tasks

• Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs): Tasks vary widely, including data entry, surveys, content moderation, transcription, and more. Choose tasks based on your skills and interests.
• Categories of HITs:
  • Data Validation and Clean-up
  • Transcription from Audio and Video
  • Research Surveys
  • Image and Video Processing
  • Content Creation and Categorization

3. Get Qualified

• Complete Qualifications: Many tasks require specific qualifications. Complete these qualification tests to unlock higher-paying tasks.
• MTurk Masters: Aim to become a “Master” worker, which gives you access to better-paying and exclusive HITs. This status is awarded based on your performance, accuracy, and activity over time.

4. Find and Accept Tasks

• Use Filters: Filter tasks by reward amount, time required, and date posted to find the best opportunities.
• Batch HITs: Look for batch HITs, where you can complete multiple similar tasks in succession, often leading to higher earnings.

5. Maximize Efficiency

• Use Tools and Extensions: Utilize tools like MTurk Suite, Turkopticon, and HIT Finder to find the best-paying tasks and manage your workflow.
• Track Your Time: Use a timer to track how long it takes to complete tasks, helping you to determine which tasks are worth your time.
• Set Daily Goals: Aim for a daily earnings goal to keep yourself motivated and on track.

6. Maintain a High Approval Rating

• Accuracy: Ensure that you complete tasks accurately and follow instructions carefully.
• Consistency: Maintain a high approval rating (preferably above 95%) to qualify for more tasks and to be seen as a reliable worker by requesters.

7. Communicate with Requesters

• Ask Questions: If you’re unsure about task instructions, communicate with requesters for clarification.
• Provide Feedback: Leave feedback for requesters, and pay attention to the feedback you receive to improve your performance.

8. Expand Your Skills

• Learn New Skills: Take advantage of free resources and courses to improve skills that are in high demand on MTurk, such as transcription, data analysis, and coding.
• Stay Updated: Keep up with trends in the types of tasks being posted and adapt your skills accordingly.

9. Manage Payments

• Understand Payment Methods: Payments are made via Amazon Payments or can be transferred to an Amazon gift card. Know how and when you’ll receive your earnings.
• Track Earnings: Keep a record of your earnings and tasks to monitor your progress and for tax purposes.

Tips for Success:

• Start Small: Begin with simple tasks to get familiar with the platform.
• Focus on Quality: Prioritize tasks that you can complete accurately and efficiently.
• Stay Organized: Use spreadsheets or task management tools to keep track of completed tasks, earnings, and time spent.

By following these steps and continuously improving your efficiency and accuracy, you can maximize your earnings on Amazon Mechanical Turk.