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surveys

Surveys – Top 10 FAQ’s

by nicolesnickels on August 25, 2010

Lots of the reader questions I get via email have to do with surveys and so I decided to put together a post highlighting some of these FAQ’s!

Question #1: Do you have to pay to sign up for surveys?

Answer: No, NEVER. Do not pay to sign up with a company, they should be paying you!

Question #2: Do I have to give out my Social Security Number when I sign up for surveys?

Answer: No, you do not.  I’ve never had a survey company ask since it would be tough to come close to the $600 threshhold the IRS places on companies to report income.

Question #3: I’ve never done a survey before.  What kinds of questions do they ask?

Answer: They usually start out with demographic information and then move on to ask you about the survey topic which is often times a new product.  They will ask you questions about packaging, price, flavors, etc.  and sometimes even ask you to try it at home!

Question #4: How do survey companies pay you?

Answer: It depends on the company.  Some pay by check, others by PayPal and others via giftcard or merchandise.  Check the terms of the companies you are with as some may require you to request a payment while others send payment automatically.

Question #5: Do I have to claim the money I make doing surveys on my taxes?

Answer: I am not a tax expert so you’ll need to consult one to answer this question. Generally, ANY money you earn, regardless of the source is taxable, no matter how much money it is.

Question #6: How do I find out which survey companies are legit?

Answer: All of the ones I blog about on Nicole’s Nickels are legit.  They are companies I work with and have been paid by without incident.

Question #7: Why do I disqualify from surveys so often?

Answer: The survey might be looking for a certain demographic that you don’t fit.  It happens to me all the time.  Don’t take it personally, just move on.

Question #8: How much money can I expect to make from doing surveys?

Answer: It depends on how much time you put in.  In the beginning I was putting significant time in and earning between $50 and $100 per month.  If you do 1 survey worth $2 a day that is $60 per month which isn’t bad!

Question #9: How do you know which surveys are worthwhile to take?

Answer: That comes with experience.  You’ll get to know which companies seem to like and need your demographic.  Also, I look at the time estimate in the survey invite – a $1 survey that says will take 50 minutes probably isn’t worth my time.

Question #10: What do you think are 3 necessary traits for a good survey taker?

Answer: Honesty, dedication and quick thinking!

Check out my posts on surveys for more information!

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Product Testing and Surveys from Synovate

by nicolesnickels on July 22, 2010

I have blogged a lot about surveys and how much I love doing them as a supplement to my income.  For sure you won’t get rich but you can earn some coffee or gas money PLUS there are product tests available.

You won’t be told before taking a survey that a product test will be available.  You take the survey and at the end they ask if you’d like to try the product.  I have gotten everything from toilet paper to frozen dinners that arrived on dry ice to high-end shampoo! They value consumer feedback and I love trying new products!

One of my favorite survey companies is Synovate.  I get a lot of product testing opportunities from them and find their payment structure to be fair and easy.  There is a minimum $10 payout and you are paid by check.  Checks are mailed timely and I love that! Sign up for Synovate for FREE here.

If you’re new to surveys you’ll want to check out all of the companies I am signed up with! Synovate is a great start!

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L’Oreal USA Consumer Participation Panel

by nicolesnickels on July 2, 2010

I have been a member of L’Oreal USA’s Consumer Participation Panel for over a year now and really enjoy their program.  I have probably mentioned it before but wanted to make sure everyone is signed up!

It’s FREE to sign up and every few weeks you’ll get an invite to see if you qualify for an upcoming product test or an informational survey.  You’ll receive a FREE high end product for every 5 informational surveys you complete.  And you really do – I know because I just got a really nice facial cleanser from Kiehls.  I have also received several product tests from them – they often thank you with a gift of free product.

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Survey Spotlight: Week 7

by nicolesnickels on April 1, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the ones I am mentioning, you’ll have the opportunity to. The more survey companies you are signed up with the more opportunities you will get!

I get emails and comments sometimes about people getting frustrated when they disqualify for surveys – you can’t take it personally! I disqualify for many of them, that’s why I recommend signing up with so many companies. Often, you don’t fit the demographic they need as they try to get a representative sample of the population.

The 3 survey companies I want to spotlight this week are:

1. Zoompanel – I receive approximately 5 survey invites from Zoompanel per week.  I have received several product tests from them and they reward you with points.  Points can be converted for merchandise.

2. CVS Advisor – CVS Advisor is a great survey site to sign up with.  Make sure to link your CVS Extra Care card to receive ExtraCare Bucks when you complete surveys!

3. HotspexHotspex has very unique surveys where you get a chance to spin the wheel partway through to earn cash and prizes.  The points you earn can be kept in your account or donated to charity, you make the decision each time you earn points.

If you’re new to surveys definitely sign up with a separate email address for surveys. It’ll make it easier to have an inbox you know will be filled with survey invites.

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Survey Spotlight – Week 6

by nicolesnickels on March 23, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the ones I am mentioning, you’ll have the opportunity to. The more survey companies you are signed up with the more opportunities you will get!

I get emails and comments sometimes about people getting frustrated when they disqualify for surveys – you can’t take it personally! I disqualify for many of them, that’s why I recommend signing up with so many companies. Often, you don’t fit the demographic they need as they try to get a representative sample of the population.

The 3 survey companies I want to spotlight this week are:

1. University-sponsored sites – There are several sites through universities that offer online surveys for Amazon giftcards, cash via Paypal or sweepstakes entries.  They don’t usually email when there are surveys open, so you should try to check the sites regularly.  These sites aren’t product surveys but rather how you think, etc, surveys.

2. Valued OpinionsValued Opinions is a solid survey site from which I receive approximately 5-7 invites per week.  I have cashed out twice for a check and was paid timely each time.

3. Pinecone – Pinecone is one of my favorite sites but it’s “invite-only” or you need to try to find a Pinecone banner somewhere to sign up.  The link I am sending you is a site who monitors if Pinecone is open and gives a link.  At the time I wrote this post, there was a link for open registration.  Pinecone pays $3 per survey and they just automatically send the check or money via PayPal.

If you’re new to surveys definitely sign up with a separate email address for surveys. It’ll make it easier to have an inbox you know will be filled with survey invites.

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Survey Spotlight – Week 5

by nicolesnickels on March 18, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the ones I am mentioning, you’ll have the opportunity to. The more survey companies you are signed up with the more opportunities you will get!

I get emails and comments sometimes about people getting frustrated when they disqualify for surveys – you can’t take it personally! I disqualify for many of them, that’s why I recommend signing up with so many companies. Often, you don’t fit the demographic they need as they try to get a representative sample of the population.

The 3 survey companies I want to spotlight this week are:

1.  Global Test Market – This was one of the first companies I was signed up with.  I disqualify quickly from them instead of after a few minutes and payment has never been an issue.  I receive approximately 2 invites per day for surveys.

2. Survey SpotSurvey Spot will send a lot of invites (5-10 per day), some for points others for sweepstakes entries.  I found I got a lot of surveys worth points the more surveys I did and even got some high-paying focus groups an donline bulletin boards from them.  Payment is via check.

3. Survey Savvy - I only receive 3-4 invites per week with Survey Savvy but find that they don’t waste my time with surveys I won’t qualify for.  Their surveys are straightforward.  Make sure to get your profiles done when you sign up to get invites that are relevant to you!

If you’re new to surveys definitely sign up with a separate email address for surveys. It’ll make it easier to have an inbox you know will be filled with survey invites.

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Survey Spotlight – Week 4

by nicolesnickels on March 11, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the ones I am mentioning, you’ll have the opportunity to. The more survey companies you are signed up with the more opportunities you will get!

I get emails and comments sometimes about people getting frustrated when they disqualify for surveys – you can’t take it personally! I disqualify for many of them, that’s why I recommend signing up with so many companies. Often, you don’t fit the demographic they need as they try to get a representative sample of the population.

The 3 survey companies I want to spotlight this week are:

1. Opinion Outpost – This is the first survey company I ever signed up with and cashed out with.  I definitely go in cycles with Opinion Outpost where I get a lot of surveys and qualify for them and am able to cash out several times per month. I once won the $50.00 instant win!

2.  American Consumer Opinion Panel - American Consumer Opinion Panel (ACOP) is a favorite because you don’t receive many surveys but you always qualify for the ones you receive because of the screeners.  You’ll be sent a very short (like 2 minute) screener and then if you receive the survey invitation you know you qualified.  I also once won a small sweepstakes drawing with ACOP! They send you the check immediately after you complete the survey, no cashing out requests needed.

3.  SayNation – SayNation consistently sends me 1-2 survey invitations per day.  I have cashed out several times with them for cash via Paypal and while it isn’t the quickest survey company to pay I have always received my money.  I find if I am going to disqualify with them it happens quickly and I do appreciate that.

If you’re new to surveys definitely sign up with a separate email address for surveys. It’ll make it easier to have an inbox you know will be filled with survey invites.

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Earn Money Writing Articles

March 11, 2010

I have been hearing great things about Examiner.com and I wanted to share it with you as a way to earn some extra money.  You sign up for FREE with Examiner.com and then write about one of the topics they need an article for.  There are many topics listed and you get paid for what [...]

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Survey Spotlight: Week 3

March 4, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the [...]

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BeRuby: Get Paid to Visit your Favorite Sites

February 26, 2010

I have been hearing about BeRuby for a few months now and wanted to try it out before posting it.  BeRuby is a FREE site to join that pays you for visiting your favorite sites.  You definitely won’t get rich from BeRuby but if you use it every day to access the sites you normally [...]

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Survey Spotlight: Week #2

February 25, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them. I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic. I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week. If you aren’t signed up with the [...]

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Survey Spotlight

February 4, 2010

I have written extensively in the past about surveys and how I am able to earn money each month doing them.  I haven’t mentioned surveys in a while now, but I wanted to revisit the topic.  I am going to try to spotlight 3 survey companies each week.  If you aren’t signed up with the [...]

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Nielsen Home Scan

January 15, 2010

Nielsen HomeScan is looking for new members.  I have blogged about this program before.  If they accept you, you’ll receive a handheld scanner and computer software.  You’ll be asked to scan all purchases each week and then upload them via the computer.  In exchange for your time, you’ll receive points that you can redeem for [...]

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Welcome, Freebies4Mom Readers!

November 6, 2009

Welcome, Freebies4Mom Readers! I’m so glad you’re here.
I’m sure many of you have come for more information on doing online surveys as a way to try out some great new products and to earn some extra income. You’ve come to the right place! By clicking the “surveys” tab on the top of my blog, you’ll [...]

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Survey Company: Synovate

November 3, 2009

I have been a member of Synovate for over a year now and enjoy the variety of surveys I receive from them. Also, they frequently send me items for product tests and I love product tests! Synovate emails are from the name “Marie Brighton” and I average about 5 per week. I qualify for the [...]

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Earn Holiday Money Doing Surveys!

October 29, 2009

I have posted many times about doing online surveys but wanted to highlight surveys as a money-making opportunity as we enter the holiday season! Everyone can always use a few extra bucks so take some time when you’re at home in your pjs, on the phone, or even watching TV and take a few surveys!
Here [...]

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Pinecone Surveys – Registration Open!

October 21, 2009

I haven’t posted about surveys in a while. I do surveys every day, sometimes just 1 or 2, other times I’ll sit for an hour and do surveys, it just depends on my schedule. I typically earn about $100 or so per month on surveys and focus groups, etc. I love earning money in my [...]

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Join Nielsen HomeScan!

August 28, 2009

I blogged before about Nielsen HomeScan and am happy to announce that they have reopened their applications! I have heard from several readers who tried again to apply and were accepted this time after being denied the first time. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t accepted – just try again in a month or [...]

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Toluna/Your2Cents Surveys

July 27, 2009

Your2Cents is now Toluna Surveys! I have been a member of Your2Cents for over a year now and have cashed out several times with them. They do not send many surveys but I qualified frequently for the ones that I did receive.
Remember to use your separate “surveys” email when you sign up. I don’t receive [...]

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