Whether you call them free paid surveys, consumer panels or paid research studies you CAN make money taking online surveys. This is the first post in a series of how-to’s that will describe the ins and outs of how to make money by participating in paid research studies, surveys, product tests, focus groups and more. Stay tuned each week as we go further and further in depth on this subject in order to first, participate smartly and safely and second, to make some extra money by voicing your opinion.
Most major companies employ marketing firms to solicit consumer opinions. I can tell you first-hand that everyone from KFC to Pampers and Kraft to HP value consumer input so much that they are willing to pay to get it. The problem is that they do it discreetly. You cannot go to their websites and sign up for their testing panels (actually there are a few that have their own, but generally it is not the same thing and is a topic for another post), you must sign up through the marketing firms who actually design, set-up and administer the surveys.
If you type in “free paid surveys” into Google, or any combination of words or phrases that roughly represent being paid for your opinion, you will get a never ending list of websites that claim that you can earn $75 an hour or more by participating in surveys. Many of them charge you for access to their “database” and those that don’t will often end up spamming you into oblivion.
RULE #1 in the world of Free Paid Surveys: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER pay to join a survey site. This is 100% true ALWAYS. I can give you the same list of survey sites for FREE and actually plan on doing just that. In fact, the legitimate sites often have an area where you can report sites that charged you to obtain their information. So, what did we learn here? Bottom line, if it costs money it is a SCAM.
Another type of site you should watch out for are those that offer you free access to their database in exchange for your email address. There are so many other sites (like this wonderful one) offering the information for free, you are better off steering clear of the possibility that you may get more spam than the Spam Museum (a real Museum, by the way…I think it’s in Wisconsin).
Market research is a major method of product development used by manufacturers and they rely on the opinions of consumers like you and I – especially Moms – to develop new and innovative products that will sell and sell well. In order to do this, they have marketing budgets and hire firms to deploy surveys to consumers and pay them for their time. THIS IS A FACT. I have plenty of cashed checks and have helped keep Amazon.com in business because of the Gift Certificates I have received, to prove it.
In the coming weeks I am going to provide you with all the information you need to participate as I do. But let me leave you with a warning. You will NOT make $75 an hour doing paid surveys. Sure, there are some online focus groups where you may make that amount ONCE, but this will not become your full time job. It can, however, bring in some nice side money to buy me nice present…ok, kidding…sort of. Seriously, it may fund Christmas, but it won’t buy you a Mercedes, not even a used one.
Stay tuned for more!
Was this information helpful? Did you learn something? Are you anxious for more? Please leave a comment and let us know, and then tell a friend or preferably 10 friends!
About Kim
mannequin what is inboxdollars? You said that it has been working well for you
Kim I’m really excited to get started! This is all new to me. What or where do I do next. On Dec. 26 09 I was in a car accident ( not at fault ) but his insurance company concidered my car was totaled. My gap ins.paid off my car!! But Jan. 23 I started college. Which is 100 miles round trip ea. day. So I ‘m stuck without any $$$ and don’t have a car. I am DESPARATE! I don’t understand this. The accident wasn’t my fault. I’m the one that is suffering. Thank you so much for your info
Mannequin, thanks for visiting! In the upcoming weeks I’ll have some tips for optimizing the amount of surveys you receive.
I’ve been doing InBox Dollars and it’s working out fairly well. I’ve tried others but they never seem to have surveys. I’ve signed up for Pinecone and done one but never heard of Clear Voice.
Thank you so much for the tips. I’ll be back for more…
Gale,
Thanks so much for the feedback! Funny, my daughter gets fed while I’m on the computer too!
By the way, I added your great site to my blogroll!
“Seriously, it may fund Christmas, but it won’t buy you a Mercedes, not even a used one.” That’s a good way to put it! I have a website where I review the survey sites I’ve earned rewards through, and that’s been exactly my experience. A lot of people write me and ask it this will help them keep from loosing their house, etc…and it’s really not good for that –but it is really nice if you’re like me and like to have a little money to put aside for your own stuff that doesn’t come from the monthly bills budget. And it’s something I can do while nursing at the computer!
Kathy,
I haven’t done that one either. Other than the few paid email types that I have listed in my sidebar I don’t do a lot of the one that include the paid emails and offer completions. I used to do a couple others, but just don’t have the time anymore.
I just thought of another survey company that I liked. Have you heard of QuickRewardsNetwork? This one was very similar to Sunshine, but the biggest difference and thing that I really like about QuickRewards is there is no cashout minimum! I really liked being able to cash out every few days for just a few dollars at a time.
Kathy,
Pinecone and Clear Voice are definately 2 of the good ones. I’ve never done Sunshine Surveys, I’ll have to look into it. I think the reason I do so well is that I have signed up for all the good ones and get survey opportunities pretty much daily that I qualify for (not daily for each company, but for all of them). I also watch the Slickdeals.net freebies page for additional survey listings that may be 1 time things through some other place. I have noticed that since I’ve been blogging (although I haven’t made much more than a couple of dollars – literally) I don’t have as much time to do surveys.
Hi Kim! I used to do a TON of surveys every day. I got pretty burnt out on it and then when my blogging took off and I started making quite a bit of money that way I let the surveys just quit. The only surveys I still do are Pinecone and Clear Voice. I think those two are some of the best. What do you think? Did you ever have any experience with Sunshine Surveys? I was pretty active there for about six months.
Great series!