How to Work for ChaCha

ChaCha is a human powered search engine that allows employees,also known as guides, to work from home with the aid of their computer. Customers text questions to ChaCha, which then routes the question to a guide. This guide looks up the information using the internet and formats a text message (SMS) response to send back to the customer's cell phone. Here is how to become a ChaCha guide.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• High-speed Internet connection
• Adobe Flash Player
• E-mail address

Instructions

1. Visit the ChaCha website (see Resources below). You will be able to obtain information on how ChaCha works and learn more about the company and how ChaCha makes money to pay their employees.

2. Register to become a guide. The link for this is located in the bottom right corner of the page. Those wanting to become a guide are required to submit personal information such as name and address as well as a list of topics they feel they would be good at answering.

3. Wait for the confirmation email from ChaCha. Usually it takes less than 24 hours to receive a confirmation email asking you to complete the training simulations and questions. Once this email is received follow the links provided in the email to complete the testing portion.

4. Complete the training simulation. You will first need to install the ChaCha toolbar available for guides to use. This toolbar allows guides to choose the websites to cite in their text responses. Step-by-step instructions are available to download and install the toolbar into your browser. Guides in training must complete 15 simulation searches before they begin to make money.

5. Wait for a confirmation email stating that you have been approved to work for ChaCha. When this email is received you can log onto the ChaCha server and begin answering questions and receive payment for each question answered.

6. Find answers to customer questions and format them so that they can be sent in a text message to the customer. These messages must be no longer than 130 characters.

Tips & Warnings

• Read all the materials provided before completing the questions and simulations. These guides will help you answer the questions more accurately and provide you with guidelines on acceptable source material and answer formatting.

• With ChaCha you can work from home anytime of the day or night. You have no set schedule or set number of questions you must answer.

• Guides are paid 20 cents for each question they answer. This money is paid in one of two ways. Guides can apply for a ChaCha debit card issued or have money deposited to their personal checking accounts monthly.

• Not all applicants will be approved.

• ChaCha has quality assurance teams that periodically check for quality and formatting in responses. Failure to conform to ChaCha guidelines could result in suspension or termination.

Resources

• ChaCha
• Video of ChaCha from CNBC