Getting Started
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, this site covers
them all. Free Email Address Directory
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 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 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.
A lot of sites recommend using RoboForm to save time when filling out
applicatons but I honestly have never used it.
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.
It works on Laptops, Pockets and Palms and there's also a version for
USB drives, too, so if you're sitting in the library taking these
surveys, you're saving a bunch of time running this from the USB port.
If you're curious about USB drives, you can check out my Squidoo page
here.
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 living 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 an MSG overdose.
Take What They Give You
Take all of the first surveys they give you whether they're offering
money or not.
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.
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.
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.
