The paid survey industry has gotten a bad rap in recent years, in my opinion. Because I have actually done paid surveys and gotten paid for those I can sit it from experience. I think the key is in how you approach it.
Deborah Casey is one gal who is online in various interviews. She's a real person that has made money for over 30 years doing surveys and participating in consumer opinion groups. It seems to me that finding other people who have really made money has been like documenting a Bigfoot sighting.
What I did was I started going into discussion forums and found several that contained the threads specifically aimed at paid surveys. I was amazed at the number of people who are making several hundred dollars a month, and one gal even claim to have made $1400 in December of 2007.
I personally found several companies who gave me access to a database of survey companies. Today thanks to the Internet this is very easy to do and you will have no end to the amount of work you can participate in if you choose to.
There are surveys that pay anywhere from $.25, to $10 and up. There are discussion groups you can participate in and earn even larger sums of money such as $30 or $50 or more.
Another way that I found to make money is to actually sell leads to the survey companies. I feel good about this because it is possible to get started making money completing paid surveys online without paying for a list.
This kind of goes back to the old philosophy of whether you are an actual worker or want to make your money selling the tools. It really comes back to your personality, but it is possible to make money doing online surveys both ways.
If you have any doubt whether you're being taken advantage of I came across a website called ripoff report, which contains as I write this links to 56 complaints about paid survey companies. I'm not saying that all of these are legitimate, but that in fact they are listed on this website here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/default.asp
The bottom line is you do not need to pay for a database of survey companies. And if you're willing to work and treat it as a business you really can make extra money at home doing online surveys.
How To Make Money Doing Surveys
Paid surveys are one of the most sot after ?jobs? on the Internet. There are many different types of online paid surveys to watch for when seeking a work at home opportunity. If you are a person who likes to give his or her opinion on topics or products, then this is the ideal opportunity for you.
When seeking a survey company, it is best to look to an online survey directory. There are over 500 survey companies on the Internet. To research and find the best ones takes a lot of time. A good directory will have done this for you. They have done the research, found the best ones that pay regularly.
One of the first things I advise is to fill out all of the forms requested fully. Do no skip over any question they ask when filling out the survey applications. The more information the companies have about you the more surveys they will send your way. This information is used to verify whether you are the right person for the online surveys. Always keep your profile updated with the survey companies.
The types of surveys you will be offered will vary with surveys sites. The most common type of survey can take 5-20 minutes to fill out online, and you will be paid $1.00 to $20.00 for these surveys.
The second type of paid online surveys is the focus groups. With a focus group you will be asked to join a discussion on a specific product or service. These discussions usually pay $30.00 and up per hour. It sounds like a lot of money, but remember you will only get 1-2 requests for this a month with a good survey company.
Another type of survey is one I know you have heard and read about: the Mystery Shopper. You will be asked to complete another online application for this type of employment. The primary reason these an applicant is rejected by these companies is that the application is not filled out completely. Some applications ask for a writing sample, provide it! You will not make it through the first screening if you do not provide all of the information required.
A big part of the Mystery Shoppers job is in filling out forms and writing comments. If you haven't done an adequate job on the application, why should they consider you for the job? If you are submitting a writing sample do it in a Word Processor program and be sure and spell check. Then you cut and paste this part onto the application.
Fill out all applications fully and completely
Send in any required documents promptly
Put you best forward
Anyone can do surveys. There is no age barrier (although some companies do require you to be 18); anyone with an opinion can do online surveys.
Nancy Kraska has sinced written about articles on various topics from Advertising Guide, Home Businesses and Surveys. Nancy Kraska has been involved with internet marketing since September, 2004. For more information visit her directory of Work At Home Ideas and Opportunities at Home Work For You http://www.hmewrk4u.com. Nancy Kraska's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
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