By Marc Jarrett

YNOT EUROPE – Yes, you can get paid for talking on the phone. If you like to talk on the phone and are willing to man — or woman — a line for large portions of the day or night, then you can make pretty good money engaging in what used to be called “phone sex,” but which needn’t actually have anything to do with sex at all.

The really good news? Making money with phone chat is easier and less costly than ever, thanks to voice-over-internet-protocol applications. All you need in order to get started is an internet connection, an internet-enabled device and a microphone.

With the emergence of free-to-setup, pay-per-minute phone chat services like MyPhoneSite.co.uk, upfront costs are minimal. The services provide a website you can set up in a matter of minutes using templates, as well as a virtual telephone number for clients to call. Most also offer a billing mechanism. You can offer any type of chat, although sex chat is usually the biggest seller. Add in a marketing portal like PornStar-Chat.com, and you’re good to go as far as branding yourself with consumers.

Other forms of phone chat that can bring in money are those that offer psychic predictions and lines that cater to people who just want to interact with another human being. In the connected age, there remain many people who are willing to pay just to have someone to talk to one-on-one, to assist them in figuring out a problem or merely to listen while they rant.

The secret to making money with pay-per-minute phone chat is to keep callers on the line as long as possible by telling them what they want to hear. If you are an expert in some area, share your knowledge. If you’re friendly, share your time. If your personality sparkles, you certainly can share a bit of the gleam. If your idea is unique, you may be able to develop an entire niche market and claim the base of a pyramid that is destined to grow.

You also have to be a good listener if you want to make money with phone chat. Many of those who call will be looking for someone to listen to what they have to say. Take your cues from the person on the other end of the line. Everyone has different needs when they decide to pay to talk. You need to be able to “read between the lines” in what callers are saying in order to provide them with the service they want … and will pay to get.

The business of personal phone chat can open all sorts of opportunities for those who are good bi-directional communicators.

Marc Jarrett has been a consultant and facilitator in the pay-per-call industry since 1994 and currently works with several companies within the alternative-billing space. He may be contacted by email.