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Are paid surveys really worth the time?
Results so far:
| Yes | 56% | 316 votes | Total: 561 votes | |
| No | 44% | 245 votes |
Yes
by Tess Boardman
Created on: May 26, 2010 Last Updated: May 30, 2010
Do you spend a lot of time on the Internet playing games and surfing networking sites? Why not put that time to use by completing online surveys? Paid surveys can be a good way to score free items and cash; however, do not be led to believe this is a way to make a substantial income. Here are five tips to consider:
1. Terms of Service
When considering services that offer compensation, take time to read the terms of service and program requirements before signing up. Some require a phone number which can subject you to marketing calls from partner companies. These calls are not subject to “do not call” list restrictions, as you have opted into receiving calls as part of your terms of service. Others will share your personal information with other sites.
2. Demographics
Take into account your demographics. Some age groups are not as desirable as others, as companies are looking for specific needs when conducting surveys. You will not know what category you fit into until you try out a couple of sites. Weed out the ones where you do not find regular survey matches.
3. Review vs. Survey
Some sites offer rewards for completing reviews of products. If you are looking for a way to hone your writing skills, these can be a great way to get your opinion across. Again, you may be disappointed in the amount of time invested compared to the rewards. Surveys do not require writing skills, but qualifying for them may be difficult.
4. Refer Wisely
Some sites will boost your points through referrals to friends and family. This is a great way to increase your rewards, but be careful not to “spam” your relationships. Just as you would ask for permission to use someone as a reference, ask people before you share their email addresses. If your friends and family do sign up, you can get bonus points and points for each offer they complete.
5. Know the Rewards
Most survey sites offer points in exchange for completing surveys. These points can be exchanged for gift cards, household items, or cash. Some sites also offer points even if you do not qualify for the survey itself, which is the ideal set up for those in a difficult demographic. The questions asked that determine eligibility take time to answer. If you consistently do not qualify for surveys, you are wasting your time with sites that do not offer rewards for non-qualifying submissions. Average compensation is going to net you around $.50 to $1.50 value per survey, with most surveys taking approximately 20 minutes to complete.
While it is not much, if you participate in multiple survey sites, the rewards over time will accumulate into free stuff. Participating in multiple sites will enhance your ability to earn, especially if you find partner sites that each award you for one survey or survey attempt. It can take time to find the sites that fit with who you are and what level of participation you are willing to invest. If you go into it knowing you are not going to quit your day job, these sites can be a great way to earn freebies.
Learn more about this author, Tess Boardman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
No
by Elizabeth A. Marion
Created on: April 27, 2010
Companies want reviews for their products and services. Getting the feedback they need is not always as easy as it seems, especially when they're after specific answers as opposed to very broad, easy questions. Most consumers don't want to be bothered with surveys. Many won't take the time to answer these types of surveys without some type of benefit to them, whether that's money, a gift from the store or some other type of reward. Therefore many companies will offer paid surveys. Survey takers can also benefit from companies that specialize only in surveys and develop surveys for various clients. They can usually sign up through websites and get invitations to take surveys through emails.
While there are many companies like this that try to recruit survey takers it is not a great way to make money, especially when there are so many other more beneficial ways to earn money online. Most sites will not pay more than a few dollars for each survey taken. Some sites even pay with points instead of dollars. Users can use their points to enter sweepstakes or can use their points to purchase prizes. However, the number of points required to be able to purchase prizes is usually very high and one must take several surveys before they do anything with the points they have earned.
Length of time per survey varies greatly depending on what company or site you are taking surveys for and how detailed the questions are about the products or services. For example, some surveys may be very broad and only ask you where you shop and how often. Other surveys will ask you for details about what you thought of the product, how much it cost you, how often you use it, why you decided to purchase it, etc. These surveys can take twenty to thirty minutes, but again, it depends on who you are taking the surveys for.
Although survey taking is generally not very time consuming, it is simply not worth the time in terms of monetary gain. There are many better, quicker ways to earn money over the internet. There is nothing wrong with signing up to take surveys because it's something you enjoy, but if your main focus is earning extra income you are wasting your time. It better to focus on other ways of making money online than the occasional email invitation to take another survey.
Learn more about this author, Elizabeth A. Marion.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.
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