They might not make you rich, but filling out paid surveys could give you some extra spending cash. Businesses large and small are looking for feedback on their products and services, and they are willing to pay for the privilege.
If you have some spare time and the desire to guide business decisions, test concepts, and get rewarded for your opinion, online surveys can give you what you are looking for. Here’s the scoop on completing surveys for money.
Sign up for Free Surveys to Make Money
First things first; you need to sign up. But beware—While some people say you should sign up for as many survey sites as you can be a member of. This isn’t always the best idea. Companies often hire multiple survey sites to conduct research, which could mean you would be completing the same survey more than once in several locations. While this isn’t inherently wrong, it could get you booted from a site.
If you’re in doubt, read the terms of service and the rules on the site to ensure you aren’t overlapping your opinion-sharing someplace else. Experts say the best way to earn online is to stick with one legit survey site and submit quality over quantity.
Can You Actually Make Money From Surveys?
Yes. Survey sites represent a legitimate opportunity for making money online. But you’re going to need to sort out the scammers. Not every survey company is on the up-and-up. Beware of companies that offer ridiculous amounts of money for paid surveys. Genuine survey sites cannot afford to pay their users exorbitant sums. Instead, they offer cash rewards or free gift cards for sharing your opinion.
And if a site asks you for money to share your opinion, don’t fall for it. Legit surveys for money are out there, and reputable companies will never charge you for your participation.
How Exactly Do You Make Money From Taking Surveys?
The process of making money with surveys can be slightly different depending on the site, but with most companies, you can follow these steps:
• Set up a Dedicated Survey Email Address
Having a separate email just for surveys will make it easier to find the highest paying opportunities, but it will also reduce the overflow on your primary email account.
• Complete All Demographic Information
Survey providers work hard to match the right consumers with the right companies, which cannot happen if the survey takers’ profiles are incomplete or inaccurate. Take the time to fill out all requested information; it will help guide your surveys your way.
• Evaluate Offers as They Come in
If you are just getting started, you may not get the highest paying surveys, but that is OK. Those initial surveys will further fine-tune your profile, and that could bring higher paid surveys your way.
• Complete the Highest Paying Surveys First
Log on to your dedicated email account, sort through the surveys, and complete the highest paying jobs first. However, the fact that some surveys have lower payouts than others should not deter you, especially when you plan to complete multiple questionnaires. Small amounts add up over time.
• Read All Survey Questions Carefully
It is tempting to breeze through your surveys in record time, but that will be counterproductive in the long run. Take the time to read each question carefully and answer it honestly; this attention to detail is the best way to qualify for higher-paying surveys.
• Cash in Your Rewards
This is the fun part. Most sites pay their users with cash, gift cards, or even a combination of both. It depends on what you prefer. Everyone loves money, so that’s kind of a no-brainer. But gift cards, as the name suggests, make excellent gifts, and can help you toward the purchase of big-ticket items. Many users forget that it’s even possible to take surveys for Amazon gift cards, and who doesn’t love stuff from Amazon?
What Are the Pros of Making Money From Home Taking Surveys?
One of the best things about taking online surveys for money is that you can earn extra cash in your spare time. A few minutes here and there during the day, and you have a harmless system of increasing your earnings with little effort. In some cases, you can take surveys on your smartphone, so you can complete them on the go, such as while commuting, waiting at the dentist’s office, or between classes.
Since working on a survey site does not require you to clock in to a job or keep to specific hours, your time is always your own. You can take a break whenever you want and come back at a time that is convenient for you. This makes paid surveys especially helpful for those who need some extra cash but don’t have time for another job.
While the ultimate advantage of taking paid surveys is undoubtedly the extra money, knowing that you had a part in shaping the goods and services of the future can be exciting as well. Sometimes, you will even be one of the first to know about new product developments.
How Much Do Surveys Pay?
Typically, legitimate survey sites pay between .50 and $2.00 per survey, although there are often opportunities to earn more. The key to earning with surveys is to do them consistently. For example, completing three surveys a day that each pay $1.50 doesn’t seem like much, but at the end of the month, you’ll have an extra $135. Not too shabby for something that takes minutes a day.
Do you have a credit card bill or student loan you want to pay off? Would an extra $135 a month help with that? Perhaps you want to take your kids to a water park, go to a day spa, or afford some new household items. The money you earn from paid online surveys can help you meet your goals without taking anything from your current budget.
Whether you are working full time and looking for extra cash or retired and seeking an additional income source, paid surveys can give you the extra funds you need. All you need is a few extra minutes of your time, attention to detail, and a careful review of the steps listed above to be on your way.
