Getting Started With Surveys
How Will They Reach You?
First, you'll want a separate email address for the notifications that you'll be getting. If you're already using the top free sites like Gmail and Yahoo and you need another, Free Email Address Directory is a solid site that covers this subject.
Get Organized
No, that doesn't mean you're supposed to make your bed and put away your magazines. What I mean is, you'll want to create a new folder in your browser's bookmarking system that's just for surveys.
Some sites will send you email invitations and others will want you to check in for surveys. This is the easiest way to keep up with who you've signed up with.
I have a "Surveys" folder and open all of the tabs in my folder at once so I can get in and out quickly to the places that want their participants to log in daily.
Now where do I go?
Check out my Sites page to get started. You can also shop around the 'net and find places that will give you a lot of the top survey places for free. I'll be adding some here as I get deeper into this project but a couple of places to start would be About.com and Squidoo.Tell Us About Yourself
Each site you sign up for will ask for specific contact information as usually a user name and a login password. Once you're signed up, most sites will want more details about you. What kind of work you do, education, hobbies, etc.. This is so they send you surveys that will accuately reflect the consumer base the companies are targeting.RoboForm is highly recommended to save time when filling out applicatons.
There was a time when I freaked about anything that smelled like spyware but I have heard time and again that this is not the case with RoboForm and can find no evidence to dispute this..
Even my boss uses it!
It works on Laptops, Pockets and Palms and there's also RoboForm2Go which is a version for USB drives, so if you're sitting in the library taking these surveys, you're saving a bunch of time running this from the USB port.
You can download RoboForm2Go right here.
If you're curious about USB drives, check this link to my Squidoo page, What's Up with USB Drives?.
A Few Survey-Taking Hints:
Be Honest
When you first sign up, these survey sites need to know you're legit so don't lie on your profile (Exception: if you don't do most of the shopping for your household but do most of the shopping for yourself because you eat vegan and the rest of the fam tears live cows apart with their bare hands, you can say you shop for the household. Just don't say you buy frozen meat loaf dinners when the thought of it makes you cry).I lose a lot of survey opportunities because I rarely eat at the national chain restaurants. That's okay. The $5 I'd get for taking the survery won't offset the $15+ I'd pay for suffering through a plate of MSG overdose.
Take What They Give You
Take all of the first surveys they give you whether or not they're offering surveys for money.These are "teasers" and if you are consistent with your answers, you will start getting the "select" surveys and that's where the perks are. Once you start getting cash offers, you can start to "cherry pick" the best surveys but be aware that this market is saturating faster than your 401(k) is tanking so don't ignore any of your accounts for too long.
Be Patient
If you needed cash yesterday, taking surveys won't be the solution to your problem. It takes time to wait for the surveys, take the teasers and build some trust. On top of that, once you cash out, it can still take 4-6 weeks to get a check and believe me, I usually get my check sometime during week 6 - right about the time I think I've been scammed..Know How You're Getting Rewarded
Some of the survey sites also only pay through PayPal. That's fine with me and I've been doing business with them for years, but some people have issues with it and I don't blame anyone for having issues with financial institutions. Some operations are just shy of the FBI's Most Wanted list.Hopefully, I'll be able to point these sites out as I plod on here so you can avoid them if you feel that way.
Also, some pay through a points program where you redeem accrued points for cash or merchandise and others offer contests or gift certificates. Most sites have a detailed page that will tell you about their rewards program and it pays to read through it carefully.
Come Back Often
Most sites require some sort of activity on your account over the course of 6 months or your account will be deactivated.
