Online paid-to-surf programs have dramatically changed over the past 10 years. It all began with the fancy flashing ad bars that you docked at the bottom of your screen. To earn sizable cash rewards for your time online, you had to have a high click through rate on the ads. Get-paid-to-surf programs of this type are long gone. Now you can get paid to read emails, to take online surveys, to participate in an online focus group, to play your favorite games, to try out new consumer products, and even to refer friends and family to your favorite paid-to-surf programs. The purpose of this article is to discuss several quick and easy ways to make money online.

Before we proceed, it is suggested that you open a separate email account exclusively for the various get-paid-to-surf programs you sign up with. For simplicity and convenience, you will want to separate all of the paid-to-surf emails and updates that you receive from all of the other emails you normally get.

1. Get paid to complete an online survey. You can be paid from $0.50 to $50.00 to complete an online survey. Most surveys take 5-15 minutes to complete and participation is always voluntary. You are contacted by email when a survey becomes available and you will receive instructions on how to access the survey as well as any other pertinent information. Remember that the demand for market research is always strong. You can be the first to test new consumer products and services as well as to help companies improve existing products and services.

2. Get paid to read emails. Yes, you can get paid for reading emails. Simply click on the confirmation link in the email you receive from the program you signed up with. After clicking on the link, your account will be credited accordingly and you will be taken to the advertiser's web site. Most of the paid emails that you receive will also include an opportunity to earn additional money by taking advantage of the product or service that is being advertised. Remember that you are never obligated to take advantage of the advertiser's offer.

3. Get paid to compete in your favorite online games. With these programs, you first set up your cash games account for free. You then make a small cash deposit into your account and start earning money by competing with other players. You can choose from dozens of card, arcade, strategy, word, and sports games like Scrabble, Bejeweled, Solitaire Rush, and 8-Ball Pool.

4. Get paid to participate in online focus groups. According to Wikipedia, a focus group is "a form of qualitative research in which a group of people are asked about their attitude towards a product, service, concept, advertisement, idea, or packaging. Questions are asked in an interactive group setting where participants are free to talk with other group members." According to eFocus, "Online focus groups differ from traditional groups in that the respondents meet in the in the 'virtual focus group room' on the Internet. No one can see one another, and all communication is done via a keyboard. Text appears on the screen for all to see. Good candidates for online qualitative research are people who spend time online and are comfortable with the medium." Make sure that your voice is heard by participating in an online focus group.

5. You can also refer friends and family to your favorite paid-to-surf programs and receive a percentage of their qualified earnings.

With your paid-to-surf business, always remember to be persistent. Be patient. Think long term. Take action every day (no matter how small) to build up your business. Remember that as long as you are trying, you are not failing. Great success can be yours if you follow this simple formula.