In the world of online opportunities, there are few things easier than paid surveys. Everyone knows about them, but not everyone is familiar with how they work or may have questions like: “Are online surveys safe?” “How much can I make?” and “How do I avoid scams?” In this article, we’ll introduce you to some basics.
Intro to Paid Surveys
It’s no secret that companies are constantly trying to improve their products. Sometimes, the best way they can do this is by asking customers what they think about certain things and getting feedback on how well it works for them in real-life situations. That means you!
If you’re interested in being a part of market research projects from big-name brands, then paid online surveys could be your portal into participating. As an everyday citizen, you have valuable input when it comes to understanding customer needs better than anyone else.
How It Works
Paid online surveys are one of the easiest ways to make money from home. All it takes is your email address and a computer with internet access for you to start getting paid. Armed with these tools, you will fill out easy-to-answer questionnaires ranging from 10 to 20 minutes on average.
Surveys typically come in your inbox, but most reputable sites like Branded Surveys have user-friendly dashboards you can visit as well. Your dashboard will list all the opportunities available to you at any given time. You start whenever you are ready.
One of the best things about surveys is that you can do them on your own time, wherever that may be: couch, laptop, or even as an app on your tablet or mobile phone when commuting. You might even take surveys between classes, while on your lunch break, or when you’re waiting for an appointment. Squeeze them at any time of the day, and you will have a never-ending source of spare cash at your fingertips.
How to Get Paid From Surveys
Most people wonder how to actually get paid from surveys, especially when you are doing all the work online. It’s not like someone is going to show up at your door with your earnings, right? Well, not exactly. But there are several payment methods that survey sites utilize to ensure their users get paid in a timely fashion.
The first and most popular method is to cash out through PayPal. If you already have a PayPal account, you understand how convenient this is. Money is sent to you electronically, and funds are deposited almost instantly. From there, you can transfer your money to your own bank account, use a PayPal debit card to withdraw your earnings at an ATM, or make purchases directly from your account.
Some sites, like Branded Surveys, also offer their own payment processors. In the case of Branded, the processor is called Branded Pay. This payment method is similar to PayPal in that users can transfer funds to their own bank accounts.
A third method of payment that is growing in popularity is to earn gift cards for taking surveys. At Branded, you can choose from dozens of retailers, restaurants, stores, and services. Most of them will be familiar to you. You can even earn Amazon gift cards for taking surveys, and if you want a really flexible option, you can select a prepaid Visa debit card.
So, How Do I Start Taking Paid Surveys?
Here’s an easy step-by-step process for getting started with paid surveys. It’s not difficult, and in just a few minutes from now, you can start earning.
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Find a Reputable Survey Site
Always look for a legitimate survey site when you want to make some extra money. It’s a little extra work but is well worth the time. Many people wonder if paid surveys are worth it. Truthfully, there are many bad players in the industry, so your best bet is to do a little research on review sites like Trustpilot and similar places beforehand. This is so you can avoid potential scams.
To sidestep any risky situations, stay away from any survey site charging upfront fees to join. A legit survey site will never ask you for cash at any time. Secondly, sites that offer huge earnings (like hundreds of dollars per survey) are not trustworthy. Common sense will dictate that no legitimate business can sustain payouts like that. In fact, many scam sites exist only to gather your personal information and sell it online. Avoid these types of online fraudsters.
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Sign up at Your Chosen Site
You’ll need to go through a quick signup process, then confirm your email. Once you’re approved for membership, you’re ready to get started!
When you first log in to the platform, you’ll be asked to fill out some brief profile surveys, which will help the site match your interests with potential survey opportunities. Be sure to answer all of these thoroughly and honestly. This is because it’s an excellent way for those looking into products or services to get feedback from people just like themselves!
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Start Taking Surveys
Once you’ve completed your profile surveys, you can start taking regular ones. Select the questionnaires that look most interesting to you and dig in! Please answer each question thoughtfully and take as much time as needed, so all of them are answered thoroughly. Once finished, your account will be awarded points for completion.
You may want to create a separate email to use just for working on survey sites. This can keep your primary inbox free of too many advertisements and messages. Of course, be sure to check it often, so you don’t miss any good offers.
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Get Rewarded
With points accumulating on every survey you take, it’s only a matter of time before your account has enough points for a cashout. Whether that be in the form of PayPal, Branded Pay, or earning free gift cards of your choice, the time you have spent answering questions is finally going to pay off.
Follow the instructions on the site to redeem your points, and soon you’ll get an email letting you know your cash or gift cards have arrived.
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Repeat the Process
You’ll never go wrong with taking a survey for Paypal cash or for a little extra cash. And once you’ve cashed out your first earnings, it gets even better! You can do surveys anytime and anywhere – between errands, at lunchtime, or during commercials before bed from the comfort of home. They’re so easy to complete that anyone who wants some spare money will have no trouble getting their share in just minutes per day!
When Is the Best Time to Take Paid Surveys?
According to one study, a group of data scientists looked at over 100,000 surveys to determine the response rate. They found that they got the highest response rates on Mondays (from 5 AM and 4 PM PST) and the lowest response rates on Fridays. They also discovered that they got lower than expected response rates during the holiday season from the last week of November through the last two weeks of December.
Great information from a market research standpoint, but how can that help you? Well, this data tells us that fewer people are responding to surveys during those downtimes. Since many surveys have quotas (meaning only a certain amount of people can take them before they close), you may have a better chance at taking surveys at times when others would be asleep or winding down their workweek.
Of course, the internet never closes, so you can complete surveys 24/7, 365 days a year if you want. Ultimately, the best time to take surveys is a time that is convenient for you. Another tip to keep in mind is to check your email and survey dashboard often since new opportunities are posted all the time. Frequently logging in and looking around is the best way to jump on the best surveys before they are all gone.
Branded Surveys Offers High Paying Surveys
Many people wonder if all survey companies are alike in terms of payouts. Honestly, the amounts you can make per survey vary widely across various survey platforms. That’s why you also want to look for a survey site that offers the highest paying surveys in the industry.
Branded Surveys has been around for nearly 20 years, so they know how to reward their members properly. People will get frustrated if they don’t feel adequately compensated for taking surveys for money. Branded has a unique three-tiered system that rewards users with even more cash for increased participation. Plus, they offer some of the highest paying surveys in the industry. It’s not uncommon to see surveys that pay anywhere from one to three dollars or more.
The Bottom Line
If you’re seeking a way to earn a few bucks, taking surveys is an easy side gig. While it won’t replace a regular job, surveys can definitely supplement your income and help make things more affordable. Provided you sign up at a reputable survey site, you can be well on your way to making a steady stream of extra money anytime you need it.
