Are you seriously thinking about using Online Paid Surveys as a means of earning some extra money? If so there are a number of things you need to know - otherwise you may very well waste a lot of time and effort for little or no reward.

Some of you may be past the initial tips I am about to impart, but for the benefit of those just starting out I will start from scratch. The two golden rules for beginners are:

(1) Never pay to join an Online Survey Panel. Without exception ALL legitimate paid survey sites offer free membership.

(2) Join the legitimate and reputable Panels directly. There is no need to go through a Survey "club" or facilitator to source these Panels. Most will use the personal information you provide for marketing purposes.

"Well how do I find the legitimate and reputable Panels to join", I hear you ask. The easiest way - seeing as you are already on the Helium site - is this and other related articles at Helium. Gather a list of recommendations from Helium members, but bear in mind all will not be right for you. The factors that make various sites better for different people include:

(a) Geographical. USA residents have more good sites to choose from than the rest of the world

(b) Age. Different Panels seem to have more surveys for a particular age demographic. For example, a client selling skateboards is looking to target a group younger than a hearing aid manufacturer.

(c ) Composition of Household. Similar to (b), an Older Couple, no kids, will attract separate surveys from Young Family, kid/s under13.

(d) Occupation. Some sites are big on surveying people who have an influence on the purchases made by the Company they are employed by.

(e) Gender. Stating the obvious, I know, but some surveys are aimed at the male of the species, and others at the female.

(f) Choosing between the rewards offered. The remuneration offered by Panels vary - from cash (via check or PayPal), online store vouchers, retail store gift cards, to tickets in prize draws and donations to charity.

You should sign up for 15 to 20 Panels and over the course of 6 to 8 weeks you will begin to get a "feel" for the sites that are most compatible to your profile. You will also see how frequently survey invitations arrive. Most Panels have payout thresholds. Say this is $20 - you will reach it sooner with a Panel sending you 5 surveys a week at (average reward) $2, than 1 a month at $7.

Use the "Related Titles" link to the right of this article to help compile a list. To get you off to a flying start click onto the following as well (they are proven international sites):

www.globaltestmarket.com
www.lightspeedpanel.com
www.valuedopinions.com.

Well that's a start! Once you're signed up and under way there are other Helium articles that can assist you in actually completing surveys successfully. Good Luck.

Learn more about this author, David Baylis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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