Spend more than a few minutes online and you will undoubtedly see ads and websites devoted to taking surveys for money. While it is incredibly rare for someone to earn a living primarily from filling out online surveys, it is possible to earn money and even free products by doing so. If you spend a lot of time on the internet and want to turn your hobby into someone productive, then use these tips to learn how to make money through online surveys.
1. Look for Legitimate Websites
Although there are a number of reliable and legitimate websites online, there are also many scams that promise to give people money but actually take their personal information or require fees to join. Never pay money to take online surveys, and remember that all legitimate websites will be free to join and will have a privacy policy clearly visible on the website.
2. Sign Up for as Many Programs as Possible
Certain websites accept all candidates who want to join their survey program, but only ask a small percentage of members to actually participate in surveys. If you are really interested in pursuing this as a means of making money, you will need to diversify and sign up for five or more different programs. This will increase your chance of being selected for surveys at any given time.
3. Be Realistic About Your Goals
It is important to think realistically about what you can make from filling out online surveys. Some surveys only pay takers in sweepstakes entries while others offer free samples of products or small amounts of money. Realize that most people are not able to earn a full time salary from filling out online surveys, but it can be a fun way to try new products and potentially earn some additional money on the side.
4. Set up Payment Plans or Accounts
Once you have done a few different surveys and you are ready to collect your earnings, there are several different options to choose from. Some companies will mail you a check, but the minimum amount might be too high for you. Otherwise, you can set up an account through a recognized and safe company like PayPal. This allows you to safely transfer money into your bank account without sharing any personal information over the Internet.
5. Fill out Profiles Completely
Once you have registered with a survey company, you will have the opportunity to fill out an extensive profile. For the best chance of being selected for surveys, fill out these profiles completely.
While not every company is legitimate, there are many opportunities for users to earn money by taking surveys online. These helpful tips will ensure that you protect yourself while earning money, trying new products and entering sweepstakes for great prizes.
Tasha Yang writes for financial blogs nationwide. She writes for www.makemoneyfast.org. Check out this page for more tips on making money.
