The Survey Way of Life

Today's the day, SurveySpree by OpinionPlace has launched!

Apr. 7, 2011

The day has finally arrived, SurveySpree by Opinion Place is up and ready to go! As a special thank you, SurveySpree will add $5 to your account for signing up.

Not too bad considering they have over 100 redemption options! As with any other survey site that gets listed on SurveyMoneyGuide, it is completely free to join.

The sign-up process is so easy that I timed myself filling it out and it only took 45 seconds! I highly recommend this site and I really don't think you'll be disappointed, either.

Don't forget to add Support@surveyhelpcenter.com to your list of accepted emails to make sure you receive all of your invitations. You definitely don't want to miss out on any potential cash by not doing so!

Interested? Feel free to join here! If you don't live in the U.S., don't worry. You can also join and make extra cash! After I finished filling out the information about myself, my $5 showed up in my account. I can honestly support this site as being completely legitimate.

How to be a successful participant in paid focus groups.

Apr. 04, 2011

What do we know about focus groups? 1.) They're easy to do. 2.) They pay a lot. 3.) They accept everyone who fits the requirements. (But they do have quotas!)

Now what many people don't know is how to be a successful participant. It's easier than you think, you basically need a pulse and an opinion. You can either join numerous market research company databases so they can call you when a project comes up, or you can keep checking back on this site for open assignemnts.

Irregardless of which route you choose, you still have to answer a number of questions with your basic information, interests, career, etc. The more information you give, the more opportunities that open up for you. *This isn't targeted advertising from third party affiliates*

This is just to match you up with available focus groups. The more honest your answers are, the more often you will be re-contacted for future assignments. For example, if you are not a doctor, don't say you are because the focus group pays well and you want the money.

They'll figure you out rather quickly and you won't ever be asked to participate again. It's pretty simple to see if someone doesn't qualify if they have no idea what's being discussed. This dishonesty can also black-ball you in the industry because people talk.

It's also pretty important to be patient. There is that chance you won't be accepted into a study for quite some time. I'm going on one year since my last focus group. This isn't the norm, but it can happen.

I've run streaks in the past where I participated in 3 or 4 focus groups in six months. This isn't usual, either. It all depends on the timing of focus groups that come out and if you fit the bill.

Just keep in mind these things are extremely easy. You're just being asked to review products or concepts and give your honest opinion. They don't last more than an hour or two and you can be compensated up to a couple hundred bucks for your time.

Free Canadian survey sites.

Apr. 1, 2011

If you live in Canada and want to make some extra cash, there are a number of paid survey sites you can join. To put your mind at ease, these sites are completely free and you can unsubscribe any time you want.

The payment options for each differ, some pay cash by PayPal, some add up points redeemable for products, and some mail out checks. To me, it makes no difference what they pay as long as I make money!

Here is a short list of some of the best offers for Canadian residents (including French-Canadians):

Okay, that's enough! I don't want to give everything away too soon. To find more sites, you'll just have to check out the Canadian Survey Panel page. There are many more paid survey sites there.

This list isn't particularly what's best or worst. But being a member of their American counterparts, (except Web Perspectives and Canadian Education Panel) I can attest to the fact that these sites do pay.

If you're unsure of which to join or not join, there a number of forums around the Internet with user opinions to help you decide. If you're brave and don't need all that, you can easily sign up and have nothing to worry about.

No one will force you to continue a membership if you don't want to. That's the beauty of survey sites, there are absolutely no obligations!

Don't overbook yourself with too many mystery shops.

Mar. 30, 2011

When I'm hunting for msytery shops in my area, (I usually use a 15-mile radius) my eyes get huge when I see how many shops are available!

I just want to apply for all them thinking about how much money I'm going to make! The only problem is, I let my appetite for money cloud my judgement. No, it's not impossible to complete a lot of shops in a day, but it makes it hard to remember everything I'm supposed to do.

Each shop is unique and has different requirements. Trying to remember what each is and having too many shops to complete increases your chances of making a mistake. One mistake too many and you increase your chances of having a shop rejected.

Just think, all that work for the potential to not get a dime! There is no exact science to scheduling shops around your personal schedule other than not booking too many in one day. You can easily complete two or three with minimal to no problems, just try not to exceed that.

I'm don't have an imperfect memory, (I wish I did, my fianceé would love it!) so doing two shops in a day is totally feasible for me. Some people may be able to do more without any problems. Don't just think about a day, though, you also have to think about the entire week.

Don't burn yourself out trying to run all over the place just to make a few bucks, it isn't worth the headache. Be sure to document each shop date and time and try not to overlap. It would be really annoying to lose out on any potential cash in your pocket.

Sometimes it pays to be an Oinker!

Mar. 23, 2011

Don't worry, you don't have to get dirty and no one actually thinks you're a pig! An Oinker is a member of the smartphone application; WeReward™, powered by IZEA.

This is what's called a Mobile Marketing application designed to collect data on businesses visited, apps downloaded, or product usage. In return for your participation, you earn points that are converted to cash via payment through PayPal.

You can download WeReward™ to your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry smartphone (it's completely free!) and start collecting points right away. In order to cash out, you need to accumulate a minimum of 1,000 points, or $10.00.

It's all extremely easy to do. Each time you visit a restaurant or retail store, WeReward™ uses your current location to find qualifying businesses in the area.

When each location is listed, you check in by taking a picture of yourself with either a retail or food purchase, and get the business logo in the picture with you.

Your points will show as pending in your account until they are reviewed and approved. No cheating! If you don't follow the directions or your picture isn't clear enough, those points will not be approved.

When you become a member, you will be given a referral code that you can share with friends on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Each new member that joins under your code earns you more points! Don't wait another minute, join today!

Cell Phon Shop - 80% off

Many available paid focus groups need your input!

Mar. 21, 2011

What can be easier than sitting in a chair, answering a couple questions?

Not a whole lot. What's even better is that you can actually get paid some decent greenbacks for doing just that. Getting paid to participate in focus groups is probably the best paying market research gig, outside of clinical trials.

If you're not interested in being a test subject for a clinical trial, (I don't blame you!) sitting in a nice, comfortable room for an hour and getting paid around a hundred bucks is much more appealing.

Updating the list of open focus groups is difficult, so check back often because there's always new ones being put up.

If you're curious about the pay, I would put it between $30 on the low-end and $350 as the highest. It all depends on the type, length, in-depth questions, etc.

Check for your location and fill out a form to participate. These are all individual studies and don't require you to be included in any market research company databases.

Just for a little information, you may be contacted by these same companies in the future for other projects.

You aren't obligated to participate again, though. It's entirely up to you if you do, or you can tell them to remove your name from their call-log. They won't be offended if that's what you choose to do.

Surveys for the sake of sanity!

Mar. 16, 2011

My fianceé is always complaining that we don't go on enough vacations. I spend a ton of time participating in market research projects to make extra money to pay for vacations, and she complains I'm always on the computer!

It's pretty much a wash for me because when we do go on vacation, it's nice and relaxing. Plus, it's pretty much all paid for with the extra money I made. The funny thing is, when all is said and done, she enjoys the perks of the money that paid for it all.

I don't know what other people's needs for being a research-rat (just coined another phrase!) are, but no one would participate if there wasn't a desire for something more.

Everyone's needs and wants are different, but it all comes down to a similar endpoint; the sake of sanity.

I want the extra money for vacations to rest and relax. You may need to it pay a bill (bills are ugly!), get your car fixed, buy a new appliance, or whatever it may be.

Whichever way that money is spent, it brings back a little sanity into our lives and makes us whole until we need it again.

Hopefully, there's a little left over to put away for a rainy day. It's kind of nice knowing you have a few extra bucks that has nothing to do but collect dust and interest!

I'm glad I didn't get my hopes up about BuxInc.

Mar. 13, 2011

Back on January 27th, I wrote a little article about my experience to date with the get-paid-to website; BuxInc. As with no surprise, it's now March 13th and I still have not been paid.

I've taken a quick look at the generic looking payment proof page the site operator provides, and I noticed the same member name has been listed three times since last October as being paid!

Either this guy is an ad-clicking madman and he's sucking up all the funds, or this site is a complete joke. Why else wouldn't I, who works tirelessly to click ads mostly by myself, be getting paid?

My choice for the options above is the latter. This site is a COMPLETE scam! By scam, I don't necessarily mean you're getting scammed out of money. (I hope you're not paying to be a member!) I mean you're getting scammed out of your precious time clicking 30 second ads.

I try to make myself feel better by saying that I was already online doing other things, so my time wasn't wasted. The problem is, it was wasted. I totally could have gotten some laundry done, put out a blazing fire somewhere, or whatever else that was more important.

My eyes got wide at the potential earnings and I didn't listen to my better judgement. Luckily, I didn't get my hopes up too high that it would actually pan out. The morale of the story here is, if it's too good to be true; it definitely isn't true!

Organize your mystery shop files!

Mar. 12, 2011

Many mystery shopping agencies recommend that you keep all receipts and paperwork from your completed mystery shop assignments for at least six months.

This is just case the client has any questions regarding your shop after it's done so you can have all the information ready.

This isn't to say the client thinks you lied on your report, but there may be a need for further clarification in a certain area. It could also be that your scanned and uploaded receipt isn't clear enough the scheduler to read, as well. This way, you can re-scan it and attach it to an email.

So having an organized filing system will help the burden of having to sift through mixed and matched folders with dozens of receipts. By setting up individual folders for each agency you do work for, you can easily find whatever you may be looking for.

I've been asked probably a half a dozen times to send a more clear copy of a business card or receipt a day or two after I completed a shop because it was kind of blurry.

I don't take offense to it, it's just one of those things that happens. Usually the scheduler is flexible enough to work with you, and not against you.

You can buy a plastic file box and a package of fifty folders fairly cheap. This can also be a tax write-off each year for items bought for business purposes!

I also bought a label maker for $20 to label all of my folders. My handwriting isn't the greatest, so this helps ease the pain of trying to decode and decipher what words I wrote.

An idea for a simple filing system is go in alphabetical order of the agencies you work for. If you should ever get an email needing follow-up information, it'll be quick and easy to find what you need, for who you need it for. Plus, the more organized you are, the more reliable you appear!

Don't accept a mystery shop without checking the details first!

Mar. 7, 2011

I'm guilty of this sometimes. I see a shop that looks cool on the surface and jump to accept it. But when I read the details, I find it's a bit more than I care to do.

Each shop has guidelines that need to be followed in order to meet the requirements of the client on how they want the shop performed. This could be in the form of exact questions asked, a certain scenario played out, or the purchase of a particular item. It may also be a requirement that you spend a certain amount of time at the location.

Some shops can get very time extensive. I've had to spend a minimum of 45 minutes a few times in order to successfully complete a shop! The point is, it's extremely important to carefully (this being a keyword!) read over your guidelines. Even if it's a shop you've done before, as requirements can change.

A few key things to check are:

Pay. If this is a shop that pays a small fee, plus reimburses a certain amount. Can you do without the reimbursement until you get paid? Also, is the pay worth the effort? Is $12 enough for you to spend at least 45 minutes at a location? This doesn't include the amount of time to drive there.
Location. Don't assume the location is what you know it to be. There could be another store on the same road, with a similar address. Double-check the address with the shop location, just to be sure you don't shop the wrong store on the right street. Also, be sure the location isn't too far away that the distance
Deadlines. All shops have deadlines that have to be met. Can you complete your mystery shop AND get the report turned in on time. Usually, you're given about 12 hours to submit your report, so that isn't too bad. Just don't put yourself in a bind trying to meet deadlines and mixing in your full-time job.
Requirements. Some companies require you to do a lot to successfully complete a shop. Are there too many for to want to bother? The company itself may not bend on any of them, which could negatively affect your status with them should you not follow every little detail.

It doesn't matter if you've been a mystery shopper for years, or have shopped a location several times, mistakes will happen. By checking the requirements and guidelines of potential shops and familiarizing yourself with what needs to be done, you can greatly reduce the chances of having your shop rejected.

American Express Giftcards - Father's Day

Relaunch of an old but improved survey site, SurveySpree by Opinion Place.

Mar. 2, 2011

A year or two back, there was a little survey website called SurveySpree. This site eventually became Opinion Place Special Invitation.

In the coming weeks, a re-launch of a new and improved SurveySpree will come about! Both sites are powered by uSamp and DMS Insights; very highly regarded in the market research community.

This is being billed as Opinion Place's sister-site. You will now have many more survey opportunities, along with more payout/redemption options because of this.

With the new SurveySpree, you will earn points for survey completion that can be banked to save up for that something special you may want. You can also donate your accumulated points to a charitable cause.

You can still take Opinion Place surveys and earn PayPal credits; so don't worry! You also don't have to wait for an invitation in your email, you can simply log in to your account and take surveys from there. Once completed, your reward is processed and you receive your payment within a week or two.

What does this all mean to you? It's just another avenue to take in your journey to get as much free money and whatever else you want. Just because you're an Opinion Place member, you're not obligated to join SurveySpree.

You also won't automatically be given membership status without your consent. It's completely your decision to join.

Keep checking back for more updates on SurveySpree by Opinion Place for a launch date!

The Space Age of mystery shopping has arrived!

Mar. 1, 2011

Gone from the days of past are paper and pencil question/narrative forms mystery shoppers would use when performing a shop.

Not too far in the near future, desktop and laptop computers may start to phase out, also. With smartphone use emerging, iSecretShop is taking the reigns on a new niche for app-based mystery shopping.

Now, I'm not suggesting that all forms of computer use will be completely subtracted from the mystery shop industry. Just that they may not be needed as much by the shoppers. Not with the continuing emergence of smartphones. The new model of mystery shopping is coming to rely on these phones for real-time data collection.

This takes away from having to wait for the shop to be performed, the shopper to drive home, then complete their narrative. As of now, many shop agencies allow up to twelve hours to complete your report to compensate the amount of time it may take to get to a computer. Some of those reports can be a bit cumbersome and time consuming, too!

With setting up applications on a smartphone, you can shorten report forms to get the exact answers you need, making it easier for the shopper to complete.

Another point to bring out is that with so many people texting, you can easily blend in and not bring about any suspicion if you're taking a picture. (Just be sure to turn your flash off!)

When done with your shop, you simply go out to your car and answer a series of questions, upload any photos; and you're done! You can then hit submit and the shop coordinator has the results within a few minutes.

One example is doing a restaurant shop. You no longer have to explain in detail the appearance of your food, trying to paint a picture for the client. When the server walks away, you can quickly take a picture with your phone and submit it. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words!

Numerous retail and restaurant establishments are jumping on the bandwagon to keep up with the growing trends of technology and instant gratification. Businesses need reports real-time to make possible changes that might be immediate, or know what not fix if it isn't broken.

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