Can You Really Make Money Taking Online Surveys?

by Abby Hayes

in Make Money

Online Surveys
Photo: MuseScore

One of the easiest ways to make money online is to take surveys. There’s little more to it than signing up, filling out a profile, and giving your opinion on ads, products, services and more.

The big question is just how much money can you make and how much work is involved. While you probably can’t make a full-time living taking online surveys, they can leverage your spare time to earn a bit of cash. Or, you might use surveys to get other perks, like free products.

Why Companies Pay for Surveys

You might think that getting paid to take a survey seems ridiculous. Why would anyone pay you for your opinion?

In truth, most companies rely on consumer feedback. Companies that don’t have a department to run consumer surveys and panels hire survey companies to do it for them.

Consumer feedback helps companies make more money by tweaking products and advertisements before they release them publicly. That’s why companies will pay you for your time when you take a survey. The information you give them is crucial to their success.

How It Works

Taking online surveys is simple, though getting started can take a bit of time. Here are the steps involved:

  1. Find a company to sign up with. I’ve included a list below of companies to check out, but there are hundreds of legitimate companies out there.
  2. Create and fill out a profile. You’ll need a separate profile for every company you do surveys for, and you’ll want to fill out each profile as completely as possible. Each survey is targeted to a particular demographic, so the company won’t send you a survey unless they can tell from your profile that you fit the demographic they want.
  3. Get surveys. Most survey companies will notify you of available surveys by email. Some are immediately available for you to take. For others, you may have to spend a couple of minutes answering presurvey questions to ensure that you fit the demographic. If you do, you can go on to take the survey (and get the reward). Other times, you may get products in the mail that you’re meant to review.
  4. Take surveys. Just answer questions. Sometimes it’s as simple as answering a few multiple choice questions. Other times, you may need to type out long-form answers to more specific questions.
  5. Earn rewards. The rewards process varies dramatically from one company to the next. Some companies give you points, which you can redeem for cash or other rewards. Others transfer money immediately to your PayPal account, and still others enter your name into a sweepstakes drawing.

These steps vary from one survey company to the next, so be sure you understand how the process works when you sign up.

How Much You Can Make

Like I said, you’re not going to make a fortune taking surveys online, but you can make some extra money for fun, for paying off debt, or for investing. Monetary survey rewards vary from less than $1 to more than $20, though they’re usually on the lower end of that range, $1 to $5. If you can take several a day, you can earn quite a bit of money in a month.

Other companies don’t give you cash. But they may help you save money by offering you free products, often full-size products, that you need to test for the survey. Obviously, this can be a great way to get free household products, personal care products, diapers, and other things you use regularly.

Still other companies will enter you into a sweepstakes drawing when you take a survey. The more surveys you take, the more chances you have to win. These can be a little frustrating, since you don’t necessarily get a reward right away. But they can pay off with some great prizes, including gift cards, products and cash.

How much you can make depends on which companies you sign up with, how many surveys you take, and which demographic you fit. If you’re in an often-surveyed demographic, you may get more opportunities to make money, thus upping your survey earning potential.

Some companies, like Swagbucks, also offer prizes, points or cash for referring others to the service, so this is another aspect of survey-taking to check out.

The key is that you can use surveys to make money when you would otherwise not be doing anything. You’re certainly not required to take any surveys that land in your inbox, but you can do so if you find 10 or 15 minutes where you would otherwise be checking Facebook or Tweeting.

Spotting the Bad Apples

While there are lots of legitimate survey companies out there, this is also a good market for a scam. Some companies will sell your profile information, which can be quite personal, for profit.

So before you sign up, find the company’s privacy policy in their contract. If you can’t find the privacy policy, or if it says that the company is free to share your information, steer clear. You’ll just set yourself up for an inbox full of spam.

Also, never, ever pay a survey company up front. This is a scam designed to get to your money without giving you anything in return.

Remember, companies need the information they get from surveys, and they’re willing to pay to get it. So legitimate survey companies will share the wealth by paying you, not by asking to be paid.

Top Companies to Check Out

There are hundreds of survey companies that could be worth checking out. However, because different companies research different demographics, you may get different results out of different companies, so it’s worth your while to look around.

In fact, people who get the most from taking online surveys say it’s best to sign up for at least five to 10 companies, if you want to take surveys daily.

That said, here are some of the top companies:

SwagBucks: This is a good company because you can accumulate points, which you can cash in for prizes like gift cards and electronics. So even if you don’t qualify for a survey, you can get points that add up quickly.

LightSpeed Research: Because this company offers generous amounts of points for surveys, you can leverage your time here to get some great stuff. You can cash in your points for cash, gift certificates, music downloads, and lots of other stuff.

20/20 Research: This company does more specific surveys, so you may not pass many prescreens with them. However, if you do land a survey, you could get really great compensation, such as $100+ of gift cards and other rewards.

PineCone Research: This company pays $3 per survey taken, so they’re a good use of your time. They aren’t always accepting new panel members, but you should check back frequently to see when they are accepting sign-ups.

Valued Opinions: This company pays $1-$5 per completed survey, so these can quickly add up. You can also use surveys to earn rewards from various retailers.

Have you ever earned money from taking online surveys? Are there any online survey companies you recommend?

{ 6 comments }

Why and How to Freeze Your Credit

by Abby Hayes

in Credit

Credit Freeze

Photo: Paalia

With identity theft on the rise, more people are looking at ways to protect their identities. Options like identity theft protection and simple credit monitoring can certainly help. But what if you want to take more drastic measures?

One drastic measure you can take is to freeze your credit. Basically, a credit freeze places a hold on your credit file with any of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Once your credit file is frozen, inquiries into your file will be denied. Because potential lenders need to pull your credit file to see if you qualify for a loan, they won’t issue a loan to someone with your Social Security number when they can’t pull your credit file.

(Note: You’ll have to freeze credit files separately with each bureau.)

The main difference between credit monitoring and a credit freeze is that a credit freeze can keep thieves from taking out credit in your name. Credit monitoring catches them after the fact and can sometimes remedy the situation quickly.

Is freezing your credit right for you? If so, how do you go about freezing your credit? Here’s what you need to know.

Pros and Cons of a Credit Freeze

Like every financial decision you’ll make, freezing your credit has pros and cons.

Pro

  • Nearly always stops identity thieves from taking out credit in your name;
  • Remains in effect until you decide to “thaw” your credit;
  • Provides more protection and usually costs less than a credit monitoring service;
  • Doesn’t affect your credit score;
  • Usually free if you’ve been a victim of identity theft.

Cons

  • Can be expensive to place a freeze and to lift it again;
  • Blocks you from taking out new credit in your name until you remove or temporarily lift the freeze;
  • May need to pay to freeze and/or unfreeze credit or temporarily lift the freeze;
  • Can take up to three business days to lift the freeze, which can delay your credit application;
  • Does not protect existing bank or credit accounts from fraud.

Whether a credit freeze is right for you depends on many factors. If you’ve been a victim of identity theft, getting your credit frozen may be easier and will almost certainly be cheaper. Plus, if you think your stolen ID may be floating around out there, a credit freeze can protect you from the hassle of dealing with more fraudulent accounts.

If you haven’t been the victim of ID theft, a credit freeze can give you peace of mind. If you don’t apply for credit often and have no plans to apply for new credit any time soon, a credit freeze may be cheaper for you than a monthly credit monitoring service.

Carefully look at the pros and cons of freezing your credit to ensure you make the right choice for your financial and personal situation.

Steps to Freezing Your Credit

If you decide to freeze your credit, one great thing is that the process has gotten easier in recent years. As identity theft and credit fraud has become more common, credit reporting bureaus have made the process of freezing and lifting freezes on your credit files easier.

Here are the steps to take if you decide to freeze your credit:

  1. Find out your state’s fees. Each state sets its own laws for fees that credit bureaus can charge for placing and lifting a credit freeze. You can find Equifax’s helpful state-by-state list here.
  2. Gather your personal information. To fill out online credit freeze forms, you’ll need personal information like your Social Security number, birth date and, possibly, driver’s license number.
  3. Fill out credit freeze forms for each of the three major credit reporting bureaus. Click the linked bureau names to be taken directly to their credit freeze applications: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion
  4. Pay attention to instructions in the application for how to lift a credit freeze. Be sure to keep a secure file with your application PIN and other credit freeze information, so you can lift the freeze when necessary.
  5. Relax. Your credit is now safe until you should decide to lift the freeze.

{ 0 comments }

25 Tips and Resources for New Grads on LinkedIn

by Michael Gabriel Sumastre

in Careers, tech

LinkedInLinkedIn, which was founded in 2002 and launched in 2003, reported an increase in users last year. As of January 2013, the social networking site for professionals had 200 million registered users. It may not be in the league of social media giants Facebook and Twitter, but there’s nothing quite like LinkedIn, which is considered the best professional social network we have today.

Individuals who sign up with LinkedIn can connect with business colleagues, classmates and people who share the same professional background. Job-seekers and employers make up a good number of the site’s users. Employers can post jobs or projects and search for people who may qualify for them. Job-seekers can view job openings and employer profiles. Additionally, users can follow groups and companies signed up with LinkedIn. The groups are classified mostly according to a common interest or skill (like journalism or SEO). Likewise, there are tools that can open up opportunities for connecting with a diverse group of people.

These features are why LinkedIn is a good tool for recent college graduates. Like the most popular social networking sites, it is a good way to meet people. And building connections with professionals is what new graduates need to do to establish a personal brand, plan a career and improve job opportunities.

To get the best out of LinkedIn, there are things you need to do. Here are 25 tips new graduates can use to leverage their account and achieve superb professional goals.

Your Profile

LinkedIn Profile

1. Don’t just create a profile; create a profile that dishes the most impressive things about you. You should be willing to give information about yourself, specifically your preferences, achievements and interests, that will help you connect with others. If you skimp on your self-descriptions, LinkedIn users may not find enough reasons to connect with you.

2. Open your profile to the public. If you keep your profile private, you won’t be able to find people to connect with. If you’re concerned about your privacy and safety online, you don’t need to shut out the LinkedIn world, but you do have to practice caution and choose what you share.

3. Put a face to your profile. Choose a professional-looking photo. People want to know what you look like. Be sure to use a shot of just yourself, not a group or family photo. Make sure it’s a clear one.

Building Connections

LinkedIn Connections4. Connect with as many people as possible. Even if LinkedIn is a professional social network, you should reach out to former classmates and schoolmates – especially your fellow graduates. Many of you will be in the same boat, searching for job opportunities, so connecting with them will help you. You can discuss professional goals and share job-hunting stories.

5. Aside from the people in your school, you should reach out to former professors and fellow alumni. Your professors can advise you as you move about LinkedIn and try to network with as many people as possible.

6. If you have previous work experience, connect with past employers and co-workers. Of course, choose only the ones you know will give you a good review. You’ll never know how helpful they can be in the future.

These connections can post recommendations about you and your skills. Once people know where you excel, they’ll start considering you for certain jobs or projects.

7. Look for people you can connect with, even those you barely know and maybe met through LinkedIn. Choose those who share your interests and passion. They might have connections that can benefit you later. Additionally, you should act as a connector. That is, connect two or more people in your list by introducing them to each other. Do this only if you are sure they share the same professional ideals, interests and goals.

8. Get into Groups. One way of expanding your connections on LinkedIn is by joining Groups. This is the best thing to do if you want to meet people who move in the same world you move in. Group members constantly update each other with the latest job opportunities. Likewise, many also use Groups to share developments about the industry they are in, as well as offer some tips, tricks and career advice. Find the right group by identifying your interests and the niche that you like the most (example: WordPress theme development, online marketing, telecommunications, banking, among others).

9. When asking someone to connect with you, be sure to add a personal note. Don’t simply send a template-like invitation that says “I’d like to add you to my professional network.” Give your potential connection a note that describes who you are and what makes you think the two of your should be connected on LinkedIn. In other words, customize your invitation.

Introductions

10. Use introductions to meet people. LinkedIn’s Introduction feature will help you find an individual, group, organization or company that interests you. Between you and this individual or company, you’ll find other connections that can help expand your network. Use the Introduction feature to communicate with others outside of your network.

Recommendations

LinkedIn Recommendations

11. Throw aside all feelings of shyness and ask your connections for recommendations. Get in touch or connect with school or college classmates, former professors and mentors, former work colleagues and previous employers. Ask them to give you a recommendation based on the professional skills you indicated in your profile. Recommendations will help make your profile more interesting and your chances of attracting an employer will greatly increase. Think of Recommendations as testimonials from your network.

Content and Frequency of Use

12. Use your LinkedIn account regularly. Think of it as the Facebook that can give you a job. As much as possible, log in and update your account every day. There’s always somebody new to connect with; something new to discuss with your Groups and there’s always a new company or group to discover. LinkedIn also has tons of self-help articles (in the areas of career, family, business, technology, spirituality, among others) you can read every day. Prominent gurus such as Richard Branson, Deepak Chopra and Tony Robbins all have posts that will keep you visiting the website regularly. If you’re not on LinkedIn as often as you should be, you’ll never be able to reach the goal you desire.

13. Post new content every day – or at least every time that you log in. This will keep your connections glued to your updates. Share news about the industry or niche you move in. Post some interesting trivia that your groups might find interesting. Repost or share relevant blogs, especially posts you own or were written by you. Share your thoughts, ideas and experiences. Just like any other social media platforms, content is king.

14. Use keywords in the best and most natural way when posting. Add keywords to your profile or use interesting, relevant key phrases in your posts and comments. This will make it easier for people to find you. Be sure the keywords you use are relevant to who you are and what you are offering. Keyword stuffing or spamming is a big no-no.

Use LinkedIn’s Answers Tool

15. LinkedIn has an Answers Tool. Use this to establish yourself as somebody who can be trusted in your area of interest. This will also help show potential employers or clients how dedicated and reliable you are. The Answers Tools can show off your potential. It will make you an authority on your selected niche. Be sure that you don’t overdo it and appear too boastful. Potential employers don’t like a know-it-all.

Other Tips and Resources

16. LinkedIn has resources especially made for fresh graduates looking to score a significant job offer. Use these resources to the best of your ability. Personalize your profile so you can list all of your accomplishments, honors and awards, the courses you finished, as well as other experiences that might give you some points.

17. When writing your profile and posting updates and comments, exercise professionalism. Use the right words and correct grammar. Avoid using slang or writing in phrases. Text speak should be avoided.

Employers look for people who know how to express themselves in complete sentences. If you’re not sure about a certain word or spelling, use a dictionary or online thesaurus. Look at other people’s profiles to get an idea of what you should do.

18. Make sure your LinkedIn connections can also be your friends. As much as possible, get to know them in person (if you do not know each other yet) and spend some time with them. You can invite them to coffee or socialize at a conference. This will help strengthen your connection and give you the chance to exchange stories, tips, goals and experiences.

Groups You Should Join

As I mentioned earlier, LinkedIn Groups can help expand your connections. Here are some Groups you should consider joining. They are specifically for new grads. Be sure to check with your Groups regularly, because there will be updates, news and tips. And, of course, you wouldn’t want to miss the latest job openings and opportunities, would you?

19. Your College Alumni Group. If your college doesn’t have one on LinkedIn, you can start it and connect with your fellow graduates and classmates.

20. If you want useful discussions and tips for job-seekers, including tips for nailing job interviews, the New Grad Life Group is an excellent choice.

21. Another group with a similar concept is the College Graduate Job Hunters Group.

22. You can always search for a professional group focused in your interests and skills, like a Fashion Designers Group or a Creative Writers Group. You can use the Search feature to look for the Group you want to join.

23. The Student and New Grads Group is perfect because it will connect you with people who can share tips about getting into entry-level jobs.

Finally, Use LinkedIn Tools

24. The Creative Portfolio Display can give connections an idea of your work. They’ll get a peek at what you’re capable of doing. It’s an online portfolio of your best work.

25. LinkedIn Student Jobs is a tool that helps new graduates find entry-level jobs. Companies looking for fresh faces and new graduates abound in this tool. So be sure to make the most of it.

These are just some of the tools that new graduates like you can use to make as many connections as possible on LinkedIn. If you have a keen desire to get on top of things and find what you want or need, get the best tools and put them to good use. They’re all over LinkedIn and easy to find. All you need to do is search.

There are many more things you can do to make good use of your LinkedIn account for your job-hunting needs. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is: build connections and make these connections work for you. Make potential employers believe that you are what they want; that you have what it takes to help their business achieve their goals. All in all, what LinkedIn is all about is selling your best professional skills and assets. So before jumping onto the LinkedIn bandwagon, learn how to market yourself. If you do this, you’re in for a lot of wonderful professional surprises.

{ 1 comment }

15 Stupid Questions Not to Ask During a Job Interview

May 13, 2013

Photo: Pulpolux!!! It’s easy to commit a faux pas at a job interview. You’re nervous and tense, so you make mistakes. But the more prepared you are when you go in, the less likely you are to do something stupid – like ask a question that will shoot down your chances of being hired. Wondering [...]

Read the full article →

Sunday Morning Roundup: Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Meeting

May 12, 2013

Last weekend my wife, daughter and I flew to Omaha for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. While it may seem like an odd trip for the family, we had a blast. For me, I found the experience inspirational. I came back from the trip hyper focused on building a great business and investing with [...]

Read the full article →

KAIKU Visa Prepaid Card Review

May 11, 2013

I’m still amazed when I read a news report lambasting prepaid debit cards. The main beef with these banking alternatives is high fees. Five years ago that was a legitimate complaint. But today, there are a number of low fee prepaid cards. I’ve written about a number of these cards in the past. Today I [...]

Read the full article →

A College Student’s Guide to Building Credit

May 10, 2013

Photo: Tulane Public Relations Whether you’re in college or just graduating, chances are you don’t have much credit history. And that’s not a bad thing. You haven’t needed credit up to this point, and this is the time when most people start worrying about things like credit scores and credit cards. But now that you’re [...]

Read the full article →

Why Tesla Stock Should Not Electrify You

May 9, 2013

As I write this, shares of Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:TSLA) are on a tear. Up over 20% on news of its first quarter results, the market is doing what the market does–go crazy. I spent all of about 60 seconds looking at Tesla’s 2012 year end financial statements and its first quarter 2013 results. That’s [...]

Read the full article →

Pros and Cons of Hiring an Investment Specialist

May 9, 2013

I‘ve been investing in the stock market for more than 20 years. During that time I’ve never hired an investment adviser to manage my portfolio. The primary reason is cost. A close second reason is that I enjoy investing. But if I’ve learned one thing from running this website it’s that how I handle my [...]

Read the full article →

← Previous Entries