Advertiser Research:

Headline: Recent trends called SELLSUMERS has more and more folks looking for alternative income by selling their time and expertise, so BizOpp/B2B offers will continue to rise in popularity for end users.

Details: A recession-induced need for cash, and an ever-growing infrastructure enabling individuals to act as (part-time) entrepreneurs, are fueling concepts that help ordinary consumers make money instead of just spending it.

“Just to be clear: the SELLSUMERS trend is not about individuals starting a business as a primary source of income (something that of course has been an ongoing trend for more than two decades, and is spiking again as we speak, with many a laid-off professional deciding to go it alone). At most, we’re talking a secondary or even tertiary source of income.” Entire research brief HERE.

Publisher Research:

Headline: Pew Research confirms end users are using the web vigorously to learn about how to solve economic issues. Top relevant areas: EDU, price comparisons, employment, coupons, earn money offers (B2B) and loan information (finance)

Details: Bargains and job-related searches lead the way among the kinds of information “online economic users” have sought.

Much of this report deals with a subpopulation we call “online economic users.” They are the 69% of Americans (and 88% of internet users) who have used the internet for recession-related purposes. Here are the main activities of online economic users in the past year — and in most cases, the hard-hit significantly outpace those who have avoided major economic problems in the past year:

Price comparisons: 67% of online economic users have used the internet to find the lowest price available for something they need to buy.

New jobs: 41% of online economic users have sought information in the past year about jobs that might be available.

Seeking online coupons for savings: 40% of online economic users searched on the internet for cost-saving coupons.

Help in spending less on everyday items: 27% of online economic users have used the internet to get material on the cost of everyday purchases.

Earning more money and second jobs: 27% of online economic users have been online hunting for tips about ways to earn more money or exploring the prospects for getting a second job.

Advice about protecting personal finances: 25% of online economic users have gone online seeking information about ways to protect their finances in a difficult economy.
Improving skills for a better job: 25% of online economic users have used the internet to seek material about how to improve their skills to qualify for better jobs.

Sell personal items online: 23% of online economic users have used auction sites or classified ad sites to sell personal items to raise money.

Unemployment benefits: 22% of online economic users sought material online about unemployment and other government benefits.
The value of my house: 18% of online economic users have used the internet to check up on the value of their house.

Rankings or reviews of financial companies and professionals: 17% of online economic users went online to check reviews of financial firms and professionals.
Information about getting a loan: 13% of online economic users went online to check out ways to get loans.

Filing for bankruptcy: 3% of online economic users used the internet to look for information about filing for bankruptcy.