7 Tips to Help You Maximize Your Earnings
Are you confused by the number of online survey companies available on the web? Would you like to know which ones are better than others? If so, you've come to the right place.
My name is Christina and I created this lens to help moms (and others) who want to learn what companies offer the best online paid surveys.
While I'm personally not big on taking surveys myself (the pay is WAY too cheap), I do have experience earning income from home. For more than 17 years now I've earned close to 900 weekly paychecks ranging from $100 to $1600 a week (part time) from only ONE company, so I definitely know it can be done.
But this lens is NOT about me or the small amount of money I've made; it's about YOU and the money you're looking to make with surveys. Here are 7 quick tips that will simplify the process for you and help you should you decide to earn money taking online surveys from home.
My name is Christina and I created this lens to help moms (and others) who want to learn what companies offer the best online paid surveys.
While I'm personally not big on taking surveys myself (the pay is WAY too cheap), I do have experience earning income from home. For more than 17 years now I've earned close to 900 weekly paychecks ranging from $100 to $1600 a week (part time) from only ONE company, so I definitely know it can be done.
But this lens is NOT about me or the small amount of money I've made; it's about YOU and the money you're looking to make with surveys. Here are 7 quick tips that will simplify the process for you and help you should you decide to earn money taking online surveys from home.
1. BE PREPARED TO WORK CHEAP!
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You "might" average
25 cents an hour.
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Don't expect much more.
Seriously.
See This Pocket Change...
I'm not joking...you WILL be working for pennies!
One survey company I tested pays a whopping 4 cents for a 30-minute survey!
Most will pay you anywhere from $1 (most common) up to $4 (less common) for a 30-minute survey, and any person or any web site that tells you differently is LYING! (I've seen sites that claim you can make $25 a day taking surveys - NOT SO! (They only want to sell you their "list" of companies, all of which can be found online for FREE.)
And here's one more thing to keep mind...
Even if the survey does pay more, the chances of you even "qualifying" to take it are usually slim. Believe me, it's irritating to spend 10-15 minutes on "qualifier" questions, only to be told that you don't meet the criteria needed for the survey. Friend, when this happens, it means you just donated your time, which is sad. I hope that my writing this lens will help you see that you don't have to work for chicken feed; there are much more profitable ways to spend your time.
2. DO YOUR HOMEWORK
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educate ~ research ~ review
Be Selective With Your Companies
Join many, but only work a few!
There's nothing wrong with signing up for 20-30 different companies, but keep in mind that you'll never be able to keep up with them all every day. As a matter of fact, you may even get burned out! Instead, focus on just a handful that will be most worth your time.
See this blogpost to learn why companies pay survey takers.
See this blogpost to learn why companies pay survey takers.
3. CHOOSE YOUR INCENTIVE
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points? sweepstakes? online discounts? cash? gift cards?
I Know I'm Spoiled...
But I like CASH and GIFT CARDS!
Forget the measily sweepstake entries.
Forget points for token gifts.
A LOT of survey companies are going to this right now to save money, so be sure you know what you're getting into.
If I were going to do surveys on a regular basis, I would make sure I chose a company that offers a CASH payout (preferably through Paypal) or plenty of GIFT CARD options.
But you might be different...
You might LIKE earning points for gifts you can select out of a catalog or being rewarded with sweepstake entries. Even so, just be sure you to stop and think about what you're willing to spend your valuable time working for.
Forget points for token gifts.
A LOT of survey companies are going to this right now to save money, so be sure you know what you're getting into.
If I were going to do surveys on a regular basis, I would make sure I chose a company that offers a CASH payout (preferably through Paypal) or plenty of GIFT CARD options.
But you might be different...
You might LIKE earning points for gifts you can select out of a catalog or being rewarded with sweepstake entries. Even so, just be sure you to stop and think about what you're willing to spend your valuable time working for.
Listen to My Audio Articles on This Subject
- Why Do Companies Hire Survey Takers?
- Completing online surveys is a legitimate way to earn extra income from home.
- How Much Can I Make With Online Surveys?
- Forget the hype and learn the truth about how much survey companies really pay.
- Don't Waste Your Time on These Offers
- Avoid these time-wasting survey incentives!
- Working From Home as a Survey Taker
- What's involved with registering for survey companies?
4. SELECT THE BEST
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And don't waste your
time on the rest!
Here are Some Companies I've Tested...
(I'll be adding more soon, so check back!)
Please understand again that...
I don't like filling out surveys, nor do I recommend this way of earning money!
BUT...
Since I'm committed to helping moms know the truth about this subject, I've been researching and testing different companies for a long time, and after completing hundreds of online surveys, I've learned a lot in the process. Here are 3 companies that I've reviewed here on Squidoo. I'll be updating this list as I add more, so don't forget to check back if this is a subject you're interested in!
I don't like filling out surveys, nor do I recommend this way of earning money!
BUT...
Since I'm committed to helping moms know the truth about this subject, I've been researching and testing different companies for a long time, and after completing hundreds of online surveys, I've learned a lot in the process. Here are 3 companies that I've reviewed here on Squidoo. I'll be updating this list as I add more, so don't forget to check back if this is a subject you're interested in!
- What about INBOX DOLLARS?
- Read my full review on this company - both pros and cons - before deciding to go with them. They don't pay as well, but I am a GOLD MEMBER and have earned money with them, so I know they are legitimate.
================================================================================== - What about TOLUNA?
- While this company pays much less than any of the others, it has some real FUN things about it. Be sure to read my full review here - both pros and cons - before deciding to go with them. I've earned 2 checks from them, so I know they are legitimate.
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5. PREPARE YOURSELF
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separate email address - form
filling software - malware
and antivirus software
You'll Want to Get This Tool!
(unless you want sore, tired fingers)
If you plan to do a lot of surveys each day, you need form-filling software. I know there are others on the market, but I'm partial to RoboForm because it's so simple to use. You can download the FREE version here, but if you plan to do a lot of surveys, you'll want to purchase the PRO version which offers many more features.
So here's how it works...
You fill out a complete profile one time. Once you start clicking through page after page of your survey, all you have to do is click a button on your toolbar and the information on that page is automatically filled in without you having to type it. This saves LOTS of time!
Plus, the LOGIN feature that stores all your passwords is a HUGE time saver, and here's how that works:
1) On my toolbar I click the arrow beside the word LOGIN.
**I have my list of survey companies organized like the example below, with the word SURVEY in front of each company name. This keeps all the companies in one group, but you could organize yours any way you like. Mine is something like this:
SURVEY-InboxDollars
SURVEY-OpinionOutpost
SURVEY-Toluna
Etc, etc. You get the idea.
2) I click the name of each survey company and I'm immediately (within seconds) logged in.
3) I glance to see if I have any available surveys for that day. If not, then I log out.
Once you have this software, you'll wonder what you did without it. It's good for every secure site you ever visit, and by using it, you'll NEVER forget your logins or passwords again!
So here's how it works...
You fill out a complete profile one time. Once you start clicking through page after page of your survey, all you have to do is click a button on your toolbar and the information on that page is automatically filled in without you having to type it. This saves LOTS of time!
Plus, the LOGIN feature that stores all your passwords is a HUGE time saver, and here's how that works:
1) On my toolbar I click the arrow beside the word LOGIN.
**I have my list of survey companies organized like the example below, with the word SURVEY in front of each company name. This keeps all the companies in one group, but you could organize yours any way you like. Mine is something like this:
SURVEY-InboxDollars
SURVEY-OpinionOutpost
SURVEY-Toluna
Etc, etc. You get the idea.
2) I click the name of each survey company and I'm immediately (within seconds) logged in.
3) I glance to see if I have any available surveys for that day. If not, then I log out.
Once you have this software, you'll wonder what you did without it. It's good for every secure site you ever visit, and by using it, you'll NEVER forget your logins or passwords again!
6. COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE SURVEYS
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every one of them
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Don't skip this step!
7. WORK - WORK - WORK
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survey after survey
over and over
everyday
Here's a Fun Poll
quick - easy - fun - interesting
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Other Resources Worth Checking Out
- What Companies Offer the Best Online Paid Surveys?
- Here is another site with interesting information about three different survey companies.
- Companies That Hire Home Agents to Work at Home
- Moms who are looking for a way to stay home and earn extra income amy find the link of special interest.
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?
Tell us what your experience has been...
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LaurieKristensen Jun 11, 2011 @ 10:35 pm | delete
- I've never really given this type of thing a try, because the bits I've read about it also said how little you end up earning. I also refuse to sign up for trial offers, which some of them end up requiring.
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LisaAuch
Jun 9, 2011 @ 5:57 pm | delete
- I started out with survey taking on my online journey, to be honest it does not pay well in the beginning however, over the years I have made good money, and indeed make extra cash, handy for those unexpected moments! Toluns is my favourite, and I have done some focus groups and product testing, it is hard, it is not easy money...but it taught me so much about internet marketing and i love giving my opinion....can you tell?...lol so I still take the odd one here and there to see what new and fresh on the market! Good job.
~Blessed by the Work at home Angel~
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ChristinaDodson
Jun 11, 2011 @ 5:36 am | delete
- I agree with you 100% that it's not "easy" money, but there again, nothing in life of any value is easy, right? Thanks for sharing your opinion here. I agree with you that taking surveys CAN provide a way to make some extra cash. What I don't think is right - and I hear it all the time from moms who call me - is when people portray that taking surveys will make you rich or you can earn $100s of dollars a day. That's more the purpose of this lens.
Hey, sometime stop by my lens on TOLUNA and voice your opinion if you life. I really enjoyed working Toluna, even though the pay isn't that good. :) I'm stopping by and checking out your lenses as well. :)
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bernadettebrett
Jun 6, 2011 @ 12:52 am | delete
- Agree with you all good site.
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robertrupert66 Jun 6, 2011 @ 12:50 am | delete
- This lens is very useful for me as a beginner in this business.
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ChristinaDodson
Hi, my name is Christina Dodson from . I'm brand new to Squidoo and this is my very first lens, so if anyone has any tips for me, I'm... more »
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