Online Paid Surveys – Internet Jackpot or Petty Cash?

Type the phrase “paid surveys” in Google, and you will see a countless list of paid survey web sites. Some claim $150/hr payment, others say it’s the perfect work at home job, while others say online paid surveys are just a scam. With all of these conflicting links, it’s hard to know what to believe. Are online paid surveys an Internet Jackpot, an online scam, or somewhere in between? Are you missing a great opportunity or should you stay away?

The first thing that you must understand is that market research is a real business. Market Research firms have been paying customers to take surveys and participate in focus groups long before the internet was a household commodity. It’s just that with the increasing number of people online, the internet has become an effective and efficient way for marketing companies to collect data and test their advertisements. Also the internet gives these market research firms access to a wide demographic of users, which allows them to get a better idea of how their products will perform with people of different age, sex, nationality, etc.

Unfortunately, many questionable sites have popped up on the internet which has ruined the image on online paid surveys. These sites usually make outrageous claims about how much money you can make by working from home. They usually charge a “membership fee” to gain access to a list of web sites that conduct online paid surveys. They claim that their lists are special, and offer the highest paying surveys. But the truth is that the survey sites they list can be found for free on the internet. Legitimate market research firms do not charge panel members any fees or try to sell you any products. With a little research you can find all of the quality market research firms yourself. Also, there are several good sites on the internet that offer free reviews and listings. You should never have to pay for information or access to online paid surveys.

Assuming that you manage to avoid the scams, and stick with legitimate market research firms, the question remains is it really worth the time? The answer lies in your expectations. If you are looking for the perfect work at home dream job, this is not it. If you would be happy with an extra couple hundred dollars a month then read on.

The typical pay for any given survey varies, but most offer between $2 to as high as $50 or more per survey. The problem is that these firms are usually looking for a certain demographic, and you may not always qualify for all the paid surveys that are sent your way. These survey invitations are usually sent to you via an email, with details about the incentive offered, and a link to the survey. Usually you are asked to fill out a short screener survey, and if you qualify then you can continue on and earn the full amount promised. If you do not qualify, you are dismissed, with some sites offering a small incentive or a sweepstakes entry for your time. The screener survey usually takes less than 5 minutes, and the full survey can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

If you sign up with several quality market research firms, and can qualify for several surveys, you should be able to make anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars a month for the household petty cash piggy bank. It’s not exactly a fortune, but it can help offset some of your monthly bills, and it only takes a couple hours a week.

About the Author: Jimmy Myers is the editor of Online Paid Surveys Guide, a web site that offers free, paid survey site listings, searchable by regions of UK, United States, Canada, Australia, Asia-Pacific, and International. Listings have detailed descriptions, incentives offered, user and editorial reviews and ratings. In addition the site offers many additional paid surveys resources in the way of tips, user blogs, survey feedback polls, and more.

Continue reading...

Online Surveys Climbing up to Top Choice of Freelancers

Everyone is doing online surveys. In fact, if you’re not, you’re probably from the few who haven’t tried yet. Survey companies are constantly launching new surveys of every scope and on every possible topic. Taking online surveys has become the favorite hobby of freelancers and homeworkers who have found a brilliant earning alternative in completing paid surveys. Online programs of various forms are emerging every day, but paid surveys have won the hearts of freelancers with the easy and fun way to earn cash.

Changing World, Changing Careers

The globalizing market has created a more mobile and flexible workforce, challenging the conventional human resource tools for worker motivation. Having a long-term career, a static employment contract with standard terms and conditions, and a ton of restriction as to what to wear, what to do, when to come and go, when to rest and work hard….is no longer tolerated by the majority of employees. Today, people value having flexible contract arrangements, customized incentive schemes, and demand more respect for their time-at-home needs.

It’s now possible to have a flexible job, and the advancement of the Internet technologies has made teleworking not simply possible, but a very viable alternative. Everyone strives to have a job that does not take one away from family and friends. Teleworking is now more than an option – it’s becoming a top choice of many professionals, who have opted to become freelancers. Online surveys are among the many job alternatives that are becoming extremely popular with hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Taking surveys for cash and prizes has not yet replaced full-time careers, but has become a core complement to having a full-time or a part-time job.

Freelancers Maximize Profit with Job Diversity

To put the harsh economic theories in simple words, having more than a single income source optimizes your cash earnings. Many acknowledged professionals have given up their careers in the IT industry, journalism, education and creative writing. They have realized that working for oneself on different projects for different companies is more profitable than having a single employer and a set wage. Freelancers virtually do not have income ceilings, because they can find and choose what type of contractual work to take on, on how many projects to work simultaneously, and what companies to work for.

Online surveys do not need any previous experience and skills, unlike the other freelance jobs. However, since many people have moved their work online, from home, taking paid surveys is easily squeezed in between the other core activities. Many people take paid surveys during their work breaks, in between projects, or just to make use of their browsing time and earn some cash. Online work makes one spend hours in front of the computer, anyway. Most people have multiple browsers and applications opened when they work online. To stay at home might be also strenuous and dull, unless you can take regular breaks and manage to diversify your routine with something fun and easy to do. Online surveys give you both, plus a bonus – surveys are fun and easy, and they also pay you cash and extra rewards!

It’s now easy to understand why online surveys have become a popular hobby for many freelancers or people with flexible and mobile careers. Online surveys are a great diversity for a dull office routine, and make time spent online more meaningful with the cash and rewards that online survey companies give out.

About the Author: The author is an amateur writer focusing primarily on Paid Surveys related topics. For more information on Free Surveys visit his site
http://www.freepayingsurveys.com

Continue reading...

Global Test Market $50 Big Ones

Global Test Market offers frequent invitations, almost everyday, free qualifiers. They use point system that can be redeemed for cash. If you don't qualify, you still get incentive points so either way your'e gaining something. The best way to approach is to keep on answering all survey invitations. So why wait? When you can join now! Global Test Market

Continue reading...

Get Paid For Taking Online Surveys

Jonathon Marino wrote an insightful article about why companies are willing to pay consumers to take surveys about their products. There are 2 main reasons why, based on what I have read:

1. To give companies an idea of what their target audience wants and needs and increase the amount of revenue they bring in.
2. Feedback from the general public regarding their products or services and how to improve them in order to make more money from them.

The main reason is money. There is a saying that makes sense with this industry..."you need to spend money to make money". This is true. This is why the large companies are paying big money to market research firms who then pay money to anyone (consumers like you and me) to take the surveys online. It is a loop that goes on and on. The companies get the information they need to make the most out their products (translation - money). The market research firms play as the middle man and get paid for it. And lastly, the consumers provide the feedback to close the deal. This is an opportunity that anyone can take advantage of if they want to. It is out there and it works. Evidence you ask? Read my posts categorized under "Proof Of Payment" to see for yourself.

Continue reading...

Survey Perks: Traveling over the Holidays

***Traveling is great most especially when it's free! Some survey sites have great travel destinations and you can use up the points you earned to redeem vouchers or gift certificates for the leisure trip. This of course costs big points but all worth the work, right?***

Traveling over the Holidays can be a great way to unwind from a stressful work environment or just an excuse to get away for a little while. Even though traveling over the holidays usually means visiting family members, some of which aren't the most fun to be around it's an essential thing for just about any contemporary family.

Over the holidays we visited family in New Mexico. When you think of the winter months new mexico isn't the first place your mind goes, but the cold there is just as bitter as the north east. We didn't expect it to be as harsh as it was, but the coats we brought were more than sufficient. After setting out home security alarm from www.securitychoice.com/adt-security.html we set out, it was a long flight, but traveling was relatively uneventful otherwise.

Even though hanging out with family doesn't seem like the most fun you can take for granted spending time with them and it's good to reminisce about random events from years ago. You can't really choose what memories you'll retain over the years, but many of the ones that are universally shared, even if you once thought they were asinine usually hold a significance for everyone. Such as the time Steve broke his arm, or that one Christmas were Cindy burnt a tray of cookies that stunk up the place. It's good to be able to reconnect with family, but thankfully you can leave to your respective homes afterward.

Written by Sherri Hicks

Continue reading...

Get Paid To Take Survey And Earn Money At Home

I read an interesting article titled "Get Paid To Take Survey And Earn Money At Home" written by Alan Lim which provides some very good reasons why one would want to take surveys in the first place. And for those who are in the verge of doing these surveys, the author of the article explains how to prepare yourself to make your survey experience worth while and fulfilling. I like to read it once in awhile until I fully absorb the essential points. Here I will give you my opinions and brief understanding on some of the very important items on "Get Paid To Take Survey And Earn Money At Home".

First off, I'd like to point out that the title does not do the article justice. After reading it, I discovered that a more appropriate title would be something like "Taking Surveys Helps Others" or "The Importance Of Taking Surveys". I'll let you decide.

The article describes how taking surveys contributes towards creating consumer awareness. Absolutely! Products don't think for themselves. In order for a product to excel in a competitive market, the product itself has to be efficient and likable for consumers to accept. How to companies know what to do? They probably have a general idea where to start, the rest are often taken from beta testing, polls and surveys before even thinking of releasing the product! That's where survey takers come in. By taking surveys, we (the consumers) have something to say, we give suggestions, comments, opinions and in some cases complaints about a product. Therefore giving the inventors some sort of criteria and a list of standards the consumers look for in a product. So you see, by taking surveys, we not only earn a bit from it, but we also are doing a public service!

Through the use of surveys we help organizations know their product better. To further expand on what I wrote earlier, we actually help by giving them concerns of things that they probably would have never discovered if it werent for these surveys. So surveys become a powerful tool when it comes to market research, they need us. Another important thing to point out is that through surveys, these organizations are hitting 2 birds with one stone. They not only get valuable feedback for a specific product, they also advertise it through the survey itself!

Again they need us, we are important to them. Although sometimes they don't show it. We are. It's funny how every time I read the article, I always feel that survey takers should be paid more what they are worth. But that is for another post.

Back to topic, after all of these surveys have been given out and taken the products come out to the general public, fine tuned and optimized to its best. In the end, we can be happy that we contributed to its progress and also, the nice check that comes in the mail for getting involved!

The final part of the article tells us to take all kinds of product and service surveys seriously. This can be highly justified after all that has been said. Do not think of it as a waste of time because it is intended for the progress and common good for all. So whether you are getting paid to take a survey or not, be honest, and treat it as an important thing. Their is a bigger picture to see in all this.

Continue reading...

To Do Or Not To Do...

Photo Credit: hikingartist / CC BY 2.0

I wouldn't say it's easy doing surveys most especially if you'll be too impatient. It will take several trials before you get the hang of it but eventually it pays off. It's not also something that promises you good fortune and wealth, it's still all upon you and how you work on it. Why am I telling you all these facts is not to discourage you but to give you a glimpse of how surveys really work. Chances are, you may like it or you may not. If I got you interested with these survey matters, I'll check out the list of the survey sites I joined with a few guide notes simply to help you decide whether to join or not. It all depends on you.

Continue reading...

Taking Surveys Online: Earn a Handful of Money

Photo Credit: Quazie / CC BY 2.0

There is a small profit to be made, beleive it or not. Taking surveys online has been around for quite awhile now and this opportunity has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. Major companies pay money for feedback, it is quick and easy and pretty much reliable method. Why? To improve their products which translates to more sales. More quality, more sales, more money. This is the cycle that never ends.

Companies cannot wait for volunteers to give them feedback, it is not reality. How many of us have mailed back those feedback forms that come with product we have purchased? Not too many, I guarantee it. That is why they are willing to pay people to take the surveys. To the big companies, it is a form of investment which will validate their products.

It is not as easy as answering a survey and getting paid for it. If it were, then many will be writing great things about it. But like any method of making money, it takes dedication and hard work. With surveys, you have to qualify to take a specific surveys. This is how companies assure themselves, that the data collected has value. Why pay for data that is worthless and risk the success of your product? So survey takers usually have to go through a pre-survey in order to determine if they can qualify for the real paying survey.

At this point, many give up. They go through about 3 pre-qualifying surveys and have not earned a dime yet. It is frustrating, yes. Then there are those who don't give up, those who are determined to qualify. They are the ones who eventually get the real paying online surveys. They were patient and determined. So remember, don't be discouraged, be patient and you will qualify. It consumes time at the beginning, but later on you will find your flow and start learning the process. Don't give up and hang in there!

Some survey sites to get you started can be found on this article: Some Other Interesting Survey Sites!

Continue reading...

What Exactly Are Paid Surveys?

Paid surveys has proven itself valuable to many companies who are constantly improving their products and their competitiveness in today's market. It is fairly simple to conduct, quick, and undeniably cost effective. This is why large companies tend to take this approach. They offer people like you and I the opportunity to complete their surveys on paper and/or online for some cash in return. They need opinions from consumers in order to somewhat predict the success of a particular product or to find ways to improve their products. They need us. They want to learn from us. Without our opinions, whether it be biased or not, companies decreases their chances of success.

This is not a money making route that will lead to financial freedom. It is however, an opportunity to earn extra cash on the side. We at Real Paying Online Surveys have a number of Suggestions and Guides that may help you in this new venture if you plan on being committed to it. Need proof that there is money to be made... read our Proof Of Payment articles!

Be patient, and have fun.

Continue reading...

Top 4 Rumors To Discourage You About Online Surveys

Photo Credit: hikingartist / CC BY-ND 2.0

Like anything in this world, there will be opposing forces that will try and sometimes will talk you out of a passion, a dream, a goal or maybe something that interest you. Depending on on what it's about, it actually may be a good thing. The business of online surveys is no exception. People have their own opinions on this topic. Some hate it, some love it, there are even those who will claim that it is nothing but a scam. Fortunately for us some rumors are just not true. I will list and elaborate 4 major rumors that are not true about online surveys.

1. You Can't Make Money Doing Online Surveys!

This is a rumor that chops the heads off of most beginners. It has been proven over and over again by many bloggers and online survey takers. This blog alone proves it! Look for my posts labeled "Proof Of Payment" and you will find that I have have been earning some extra cash. Money in the bank does not lie. So rest assured, online surveys do pay. Why do rumors like this spread? Because there are many that give up fast and early in the game that all they can say is that you can't make money. Be patient and be willing, the money will come.

2. Online Survey Companies Are All Scams!

This is a rumor that is exaggerated. Though there will be scam sites there are many that are not. In fact, most are not scams! If you want to determine the sites that are legit, look at the site and find a link that shows that they are a member of the Better Business Bureau. Those that are not affiliated with this should be further studied as they may be a scam site. Look for user reviews and see what others have to say before judging.

3. They Don't Pay You Enough!

There will be sites that pay too little or don't pay by cash. But to say this for all online survey sites is a bit harsh. There are many that pay well. It is your job to sort out the best from the rest. There are even many suggestions from experienced users. I've also posted some articles that give out suggestions based on actual experience. Look for my posts labeled "Suggestions and Guides". Go for what you want, If you want cash, focus on the sites that pay cash, if you love gift cards, focus on the sites that pay out with gift cards.

4. Online Surveys Are A Waste Of Time!

Many people will claim that these opportunities are a waste of time based on limited knowledge and experience. Most people who claim this, are probably those who have tried and gave up too early. Don't let these rumors discourage you, If you really focus and stick with your guns and grow your revenue streams, you will discover that it is not a waste of time, instead perhaps an investment of your time. For many people, online surveys provide the means for that extra boost to put food on the table, to be able to pay rent, to be able to buy that gift you've always wanted to give to your loved one. For these people, myself included, it is not a waste of time. It is a blessing and opportunity.

Continue reading...

Top Choice for Income In Free Sites to Earn Money Taking Online Surveys

Today, I will review a post titled "Get Paid to Take Surveys - Top Choice For Income in Free Sites to Earn Money Taking Online Surveys" by Alan Lim. Click here to read the full article. I honestly found the article to be quite optimistic from a point of view of someone who is actually doing surveys to some extra cash. Nevertheless, It does make an effort to discuss some of the basic advantages of earning money by taking online surveys.

The first 2 paragraphs in summary reveals that less is more. In some cases this is true. As with any work at home jobs, you don't spend for all the extra logistics it would require compared to if you were working in an office or in a similar circumstance. No worries on what to wear, gas, that lunch you would usually grab at the nearest deli or the amount of time wasted on commute. Yes indeed, you get to skip all that mumbo jumbo.

Job satisfaction? Well... it all depends on the person. Are you the type who is patient and love to express your opinions on products like the latest tech gadget soon to be released... or the latest menu item on your local burger joint? If so, then most likely you will find this job opportunity to be satisfying! Work when you want. Yes, you are your own boss but keep in mind that being your own boss could be somewhat of a challenge if you like to slack off (and don't pretend that you don't know what I'm talking about hahaha - you know exactly what I'm talking about). Discipline is key to this business.

There is no investment required for this opportunity. True. All you really need is a computer with an internet connection and you can be on your way to discovering what online surveys can do for you financially. You can take it as far as you like. Just remember to eat timely and sleep timely and I think you'll be alright. I hope you have enjoyed reading my take on the article!

Continue reading...

Online Paid Surveys – Internet Jackpot or Petty Cash?

Type the phrase “paid surveys” in Google, and you will see a countless list of paid survey web sites. Some claim $150/hr payment, others say it’s the perfect work at home job, while others say online paid surveys are just a scam. With all of these conflicting links, it’s hard to know what to believe. Are online paid surveys an Internet Jackpot, an online scam, or somewhere in between? Are you missing a great opportunity or should you stay away?

The first thing that you must understand is that market research is a real business. Market Research firms have been paying customers to take surveys and participate in focus groups long before the internet was a household commodity. It’s just that with the increasing number of people online, the internet has become an effective and efficient way for marketing companies to collect data and test their advertisements. Also the internet gives these market research firms access to a wide demographic of users, which allows them to get a better idea of how their products will perform with people of different age, sex, nationality, etc.

Unfortunately, many questionable sites have popped up on the internet which has ruined the image on online paid surveys. These sites usually make outrageous claims about how much money you can make by working from home. They usually charge a “membership fee” to gain access to a list of web sites that conduct online paid surveys. They claim that their lists are special, and offer the highest paying surveys. But the truth is that the survey sites they list can be found for free on the internet. Legitimate market research firms do not charge panel members any fees or try to sell you any products. With a little research you can find all of the quality market research firms yourself. Also, there are several good sites on the internet that offer free reviews and listings. You should never have to pay for information or access to online paid surveys.

Assuming that you manage to avoid the scams, and stick with legitimate market research firms, the question remains is it really worth the time? The answer lies in your expectations. If you are looking for the perfect work at home dream job, this is not it. If you would be happy with an extra couple hundred dollars a month then read on.

The typical pay for any given survey varies, but most offer between $2 to as high as $50 or more per survey. The problem is that these firms are usually looking for a certain demographic, and you may not always qualify for all the paid surveys that are sent your way. These survey invitations are usually sent to you via an email, with details about the incentive offered, and a link to the survey. Usually you are asked to fill out a short screener survey, and if you qualify then you can continue on and earn the full amount promised. If you do not qualify, you are dismissed, with some sites offering a small incentive or a sweepstakes entry for your time. The screener survey usually takes less than 5 minutes, and the full survey can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.

If you sign up with several quality market research firms, and can qualify for several surveys, you should be able to make anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars a month for the household petty cash piggy bank. It’s not exactly a fortune, but it can help offset some of your monthly bills, and it only takes a couple hours a week.

About the Author: Jimmy Myers is the editor of Online Paid Surveys Guide, a web site that offers free, paid survey site listings, searchable by regions of UK, United States, Canada, Australia, Asia-Pacific, and International. Listings have detailed descriptions, incentives offered, user and editorial reviews and ratings. In addition the site offers many additional paid surveys resources in the way of tips, user blogs, survey feedback polls, and more.

Continue reading...

The truth about surveys...

Been doing surveys for about half a year already, personally I'd say it really pays off. Honestly being a survey taker isn't my primary job, it's really just an extra for me. Having some dollars to do partial grocery or just buy anything and some reward items from survey points isn't bad at all. You can do surveys leisurely with your own time. Nothing really complicated. Just keep answering the survey invitations and that's it. Good for you if you qualify for that certain survey and if not, just keep doing it... no other way.

Will be posting soon some more recent checks I earned... I think it's the best way to let you all know that you can really get something from the survey sites I listed on my previous posts.

Continue reading...

Browsing Ads And Reading Emails

Photo Credit: cambodia4kidsorg / CC BY 2.0

That's not all, did you know that you can also be paid to browse ads, try out offers and read emails? It doesn't give you big bucks clicking or reading at once but it gives a few cents per click or email read or viewed. Not bad for doing just a regular thing like browsing emails and advertisements. However, trying out offers is far more rewarding since you'll get to earn while completing offers whether it's a free offer or paid offer. So feel free to explore all these possibilities.

But don't over do it too! Stay sane!

Continue reading...

Doing Surveys Actually Paid!

Photo Credit: hikingartist / CC BY 2.0

The paychecks displayed on this blog are the actual checks I received doing surveys. Some details are blurred out just for security measures. Those are just initial checks which I requested so that I'll know more or less how long survey companies process pay requests with least payout. I'm still waiting for my other checks from the rest of the survey companies I've joined but as soon as I receive, I'll update and post as further proof that those sites really pay. The real cash earnings will still depend on your activities which means, the more you participate....more chances of earning extra cash and rewards.

Continue reading...

How I Got Started With Doing Surveys

Photo Credit: hikingartist / CC BY 2.0

Given the chance to earn a little extra cash, will you be interested enough? I kind of got stuck with the thinking "ANYTHING HELPS" so I started checking on ways on how to earn extra cash doing thing via internet. I came across experimenting on "Free-Paying online surveys". After some researches I decided to join my first ever survey company "SurveySpot" and after receiving and taking several qualifying surveys, finally started generating some extra cash for me. As I continue earning dollars taking up surveys, still some doubts if this kind of thing really works since I haven't received my real pay from all the surveys I did. Finally upon completing my first month I requested for my check and after nearly a month, I received my SurveySpot check amounting to $37. I know this isn't much but who cares? I got my extra cash and my doubts are gone about these survey sites as I've proved myself these things really work. After SurveySpot, I challenged myself to join other survey sites so I could earn more.

Continue reading...