Have you ever thought about earning money from home by simply answering emails? For Canadians, this is not only possible but also a growing opportunity. Remote job options, like getting paid to answer emails, offer flexibility, convenience, and the chance to work on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for a full-time income or a side hustle, working from home has never been more accessible. Here’s everything you need to know about how to get started, what to expect, and how to find legitimate opportunities.
Why Work from Home?
Working from home has become more popular in recent years, and for good reasons. Whether you’re juggling other responsibilities or interested in ditching the daily commute, there are several advantages to pursuing remote jobs like email answering.
Flexible Schedule
Work-from-home jobs often allow you to set your own hours. For example, if you’re a parent, you can work while your kids are at school or after they’ve gone to bed. Flexibility lets you balance work with your personal life easily.
No Commute
By working remotely, you say goodbye to wasted hours on public transport or sitting in traffic. Not to mention, you’ll save money on gas, parking, or transit fares.
Comfort of Your Space
There’s nothing like working in the comfort of your home. You can create the perfect setup, wear what you want, and take breaks whenever you need to recharge.
Earn Money Online Easily
Answering emails, managing communications, or even handling customer service from home is straightforward. Many tasks require little more than a computer, internet connection, and some basic communication skills.
Now that we’ve covered the benefits of working from home, let’s focus on how you can start your own email answering job and get paid to do it.
Who Hires People to Answer Emails?
Many companies and organizations require help managing their emails. It could be responding to customer inquiries, processing support requests, or organizing the company’s inbox. Here’s a list of the common types of employers that might hire remote workers to answer emails.
Customer Service for Businesses
Many businesses—especially in ecommerce—need virtual customer service representatives. These roles often involve responding to customer questions or solving minor issues through email.
Freelance Work Platforms
Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are excellent for finding projects where you answer emails on behalf of clients. These individuals or companies often need help staying on top of emails but don’t want to hire full-time staff.
Social Media Managers
Social media management agencies or independent influencers sometimes outsource email handling. You might be asked to manage their online inquiries or sort through collaboration requests.
Virtual Assistants
These roles often include handling administrative tasks like email communication, scheduling, and calendar management for busy professionals or entrepreneurs.
Nonprofit Organizations
Many nonprofits rely on remote workers to help coordinate emails regarding donations, events, or volunteer inquiries.
Small Businesses
Small local businesses in Canada often seek remote help for email handling, especially when they lack the resources to hire in-office support staff. Think local bakeries, gyms, or even accounting firms.
The variety of industries needing this type of work means Canadians have many options to get paid by answering emails.
How Much Can You Earn Answering Emails?
Earnings vary depending on the role, your level of experience, and the type of employer. Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to earn in Canada while answering emails from home:
Freelancers or gig workers: $15-$25 per hour
Virtual Assistants: $20-$40 per hour
Customer Support Positions: $18-$35 per hour
Specialized roles (e.g., technical support emails): $30-$50 per hour
The more experience or skills you bring to the table (such as familiarity with specific software or multitasking capabilities), the higher your earning potential.
How to Find Legitimate Email Answering Jobs
The internet is full of remote job opportunities, but not all are trustworthy. Unfortunately, scams still exist. Here’s how you can find legitimate work-from-home opportunities and avoid falling prey to dubious offers.
1. Use Reliable Job Boards
Stick to established job websites. Some well-known platforms for remote work include:
- Indeed.ca – Indeed is the leading job portal in the world, as well as a global recruitment center. Indeed receives more job applications than any other website since they focus on the job searcher and allow them find the job, upload a CV, gather information about the company, and more. Use search terms like “remote email support” or “work from home customer service.”
- LinkedIn – LinkedIn is a professional social network designed for business relationships, interactions, and employment opportunities, accessible worldwide through websites and mobile applications. Launched on May 5, 2003, by Reid Hoffman and Eric Ly, it has since grown in popularity and significance. It became a part of the Microsoft group in December 2016. Its main purpose is for professional networking and career building, whereby those looking for employment showcase their CVs and employers advertise positions. Linkedin currently has 1,000,000,000 members over 200 countries. Come on the train!
- FlexJobs – As hybrid and remote work has become the new norm, a few things are certain: life as we knew it one year ago is not going to make a comeback anytime soon, and ‘the office’ will now more often than not refer to one’s home office or indeed a coffee shop! FlexJobs has been the best job site for finding the best remote, work from home, and flexible jobs in the world for the past 14 years. Sign up now!
2. Check Freelance Gig Platforms
Websites like Upwork and Fiverr are great for landing flexible projects. You can create a profile showcasing your skills and bid for jobs.
- Upwork – UpWork is the global work platform or marketplace for independent experts. With the shift to remote working, freelance work has gained popularity. Everything from bidding for jobs to communicating with clients, to getting paid can be done on Upwork while serving as a freelancer. Clients have access to your portfolio, testimonials, and work samples to assess your quality of work. There is no need to go anywhere else if you want to find and keep clients. Everything you need is available.
- Fiverr – Fiverr offers a wide selection of digital freelancers worldwide and provides access to and connects you with expert workers with different specialties on its AI-powered platform. Fiverr enjoys worldwide coverage with both freelancers and businesses from almost 160 countries. More than 700 skills are offered on the platform, including Ai, Programming, Digital Marketing, Content Writing, Video Editing, and Architecture, among many others.
3. Research Companies
When you find a job ad, take some time to research the company. Check their website, look for employee reviews, and confirm their credibility before applying.
4. Don’t Pay to Apply
Legitimate companies will never ask you to pay to get hired. If someone asks for money upfront, it’s a red flag.
5. Network Online
Joining remote work communities or groups on platforms like Facebook or Reddit can help you connect with reliable employers and professionals already working from home.
Key Skills Needed to Get Paid to Answer Emails
Working in this role doesn’t usually require a long list of qualifications, but there are important skills that can help you stand out.
Strong Written Communication
You’ll need to write clear, polite, and professional email responses. Good grammar and attention to detail are essential.
Time Management
Most jobs will require you to respond to emails promptly. Being able to manage your time efficiently makes a big difference.
Typing Speed and Accuracy
Handling a high volume of emails means your typing speed needs to keep up. You can use free tools online to improve your speed and accuracy.
Empathy and Patience
Whether you’re helping customers or interacting with colleagues, a friendly and understanding tone will make your emails more effective.
Tech Savvy
Knowing how to use email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, or specialty CRM software is helpful. Basic knowledge of tools like Excel or Google Docs might be required too.
How to Succeed in the Role
Once you’ve found your first opportunity, excelling in the role can open doors to more remote jobs or higher-paying positions. Here’s how to shine:
Be Reliable
Employers value someone they can trust. Meeting deadlines and maintaining a consistent work ethic will make you stand out.
Stay Organized
Use tools like email filters, folders, or management software to track messages. Staying organized ensures nothing important gets missed.
Learn New Skills
Upskilling, like learning about customer service management systems, will boost your expertise and earning potential.
Set Boundaries
Working from home can blur the line between personal and professional life. Set specific work hours and stick to them to maintain balance.
Final Thoughts
Getting paid to answer emails from home is a legitimate and rewarding way for Canadians to earn money online. Whether you want a flexible side gig or a long-term remote job, opportunities abound for those willing to put in the effort. With the right approach and a little bit of persistence, you can find a job that suits your schedule, skills, and financial goals.
By making use of reliable job boards, improving your skills, and researching opportunities carefully, you’ll put yourself in a great position to snag a remote email answering role. Working from home has its perks—and with the rising demand for remote workers, there’s no better time to explore the possibilities. Start your search today and see how simple it can be to get paid to work from the comfort of your own home.
