Get Paid to Spill the Tea on Your 9-to-5
Finally $$ for answering the question "what do you do?"
Hi Oddies,
Jen Glantz here.
Ever wondered who those random people are in the acknowledgments of your favorite novels?
"Special thanks to Jane Smith for her invaluable insights into the world of actuarial science."
Turns out, Jane got paid to sit down and talk about spreadsheets for three hours.
Welcome to the curious world of professional job-explainers – people who get cold, hard cash to ramble about their day-to-day work lives so authors can make their fictional characters sound legit.
I found out about this odd job by finding this Facebook group — where cops answer questions for authors writing crime books and thrillers. The Facebook group is free to join but some people turn their job expertise into paid consulting work. Here’s an example of what this type of paid consulting can look like.
"I spent two hours describing how I organize files and what I eat for lunch," says Marcus, a paralegal who consulted on a legal thriller. "The author was fascinated by the most mundane stuff – like how we label evidence boxes and what brand of highlighters everyone uses. I made $200 just explaining our coffee rotation system."
It's not glamorous work. You're essentially being paid to answer questions like "Do surgeons really say 'stat' in real life?" or "What do air traffic controllers actually talk about on their breaks?"
But it's probably the easiest side hustle in existence because you get to talk about your job!
So where can you find these gigs?
Writers often seek consultants through platforms like Reedsy, Upwork, and Fiverr, where you can create a profile highlighting your professional expertise.
Literary agencies sometimes maintain consultant databases too.
Social media groups for writers frequently post calls for specific job experts.
And don't underestimate the power of networking – many consultants connect with authors through mutual friends or industry events.
If you're interested in becoming a consultant, create profiles on freelance platforms, join writing communities on Facebook and Discord, and reach out to literary agencies. Let people know you're available to talk about your job. Some consultants even create simple websites listing their expertise and consultation rates.
The pay varies widely. Some writers offer a flat fee, others pay hourly rates that can range from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on your expertise. Many include a thank-you in the acknowledgments, which is a neat little ego boost.
So if you've got specialized knowledge about anything from beekeeping to banking, there might be an author out there willing to pay for your boring work stories. Who knew complaining about your job could actually be profitable?
Love,
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🥳 Jen Glantz is the founder of Bridesmaid for Hire and the creator of The Pick-Me-Up newsletter. She offers 1:1 coaching and company workshops. Follow her adventures on Instagram @jenglantz.
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