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They are like a glass of waterJan 19 '01 (Updated Jan 20 '01) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Not every company shines, alas, but those that do make one you glad you joined. I have earned quite a bit from surveys..and would want you to know what follows:
Written with newbies to online surveys in mind. Surveys are like a glass of water. You know..the half full, half empty thing. I could grump and say I have never heard from iCameo, Redpen or several other companies I joined over twelve or more months ago and decide 'mmm surveys waste my time'. I'd be looking at that half empty glass...and true..it sure is a wanting half a glass, too. There are some slow old companies out there. Or I could choose to focus on what has come my way.. what has paid.. and view that full half a glass. Full from the $500 now in my bank account from a survey win, and smaller amounts that have been added to it of late...the half a glass that keeps me taking what comes in my email. Surveys are like that.. We get to choose how we see them, and I'm sticking with the half full rather than empty angle- a view which colors my advice on what you should know about taking surveys,which is as follows: #1 The demographic factor: sometimes we plain won't be needed..that is just how it is. We won't hear from all companies we join..I don't expect to. I know a friend with children receives far more paying surveys than I do from Live Wire Surveys..I receive far more from Site Users. I call it the demographic factor.Or even luck. Just roll with it...That's life. #2 The good companies make up for this. Surveys do come..That is how it is, too. Surveys come in your email:just not to all of the people all of the time, or even to any of the people all of the time, in some cases. (Or even from the same companies all the time, come to think of it..)But eventually, they come. And in the cases of some of the bigger companies in particular, they pay. Know that, too. Ithink, Global Test Market, Greenfield, Site Users..they have all paid me, and quickly too. They are the companies that spring to mind when you mention online surveys; my reasons for viewing the whole scene so positively. Know that there ARE some companies that are worth joining. I for one have done well from taking online surveys. #3 Expect some prize draws Some companies, probably as a money-saving effort, enter you into prize draws when you take a survey. This hasn't been a popular move with some people, if I am reading trends on message boards correctly. I have won though..at Interactive Rewards, the Advisory Panel and Greenfield Online. People do..I've always rejected the "each minute of my time is precious" view, and hang in there. Contests are fine. People win. I have, several times.You won't, if you haven't taken the survey in question. #4 Seek out the best companies.. I tend to join them all but for those of you who prefer to know what to look for before joining- my tips would be to *Expect your privacy to be respected. The companies with funds to pay us are major research sites. It is in their interests to treat us well and not spam us etc. Most even add "prefer not to say" to sensitive types of questions, which might even be about your race or income. Listen to your gut feelings and ignore sites that don't follow the above code. I've had more than positive experiences but do add that warning..if a company doesn't feel right to you..pass on it. I look at email addresses (one that just went under used yahoo and had a legal clause saying we were agreeing to never sue them, by joining...I felt uneasy..sure enough..boom.) I look at spelling. True..If a company can't afford to pay someone to present a professional site, how professional will they be in dealing with me? I write to them..I guess this is my field so I have a reason to write but it even just by noting which companies even bother to reply to me, and in what tone, gives me a feel for which companies I wish to deal with. It has been a wonderful means of sorting the chaff and wheat, for me, anyway. *Ask around, if you are in doubt about a company. Check sites like this. Message boards about money making might well be full of affiliate links regardless of how good or otherwise a company might be..I see Repen (just an example..) and similar listed over and over..and those that pay much more frequently, rarely mentioned. This is just human nature in action I guess..we see a hypothetical dollar and overlook what gives us real ones so ask for people's opinions, if in doubt. Check with sources you trust, like this site, or even post questions at egroups or forums associated with the sites that list surveys. I've found survey lovers only too happy to help! #4 *And finally, enjoy them. Surveys aren't like some online earners in that what comes our way is beyond our control. We might have the odd or even long survey drought..true. I am personally hoping the Brand Institute will contact me ever so soon. I must be due for one from them. Ever so due oh please be reading this Brand. Am living in hope Down Under. I know to expect slow patches though, so when the surveys come..and they do..it is a bonus. Even exciting. Especially when American money arrives in the mail.  |
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