Online Surveys for Movie Buffs and Gamers
Escape to another world and forget about your worries. That’s how most of us enjoy spending our free time; melting away into the fun and fantasy that comes along with the latest blockbuster movie, action-packed video game, or adrenaline-pumping sports event. In a tough economy and with unforgiving ticket and concession prices, taking paid surveys is a great way for movie buffs and gamers to fund their little entertainment habits! Plus, it is very personally satisfying to know that input and insights provided have helped create or re-tool products for all consumers.
Marketing companies that work with the movie industry are always looking for certain demographic groups to either screen movies, watch movie trailers (previews) and give detailed feedback. Who knows, your opinions about an up-and-coming movie could have an impact on the actual scenes that you see when it is finally released to the theater! Also, sharing information about the products you buy, the media you watch, your income level, and other demographic information helps marketing execs decide how, when and where to advertise the film. There are also many “mystery shopping” assignments for theaters where you are assigned to enter a cinema, count the number of people in the audience, describe the quality of the theater’s sound, screen and surroundings and more.
Online surveys for gamers revolve around the entire gaming experience. This might include questions that inquire what platforms you prefer (such as computers, consoles or handhelds) to your favorite gaming genres (such as action games, puzzle games, or multi-player online games). More than 65-percent of American households play video games and it’s not just the kids – the average age of a gamer is 35 years! So, other members of your family may be asked to give feedback on paid surveys about video games. Other marketing activities such as voting on which game cover artwork you like best or ranking the importance of video game features are other assignments you could receive through online surveys. A lucky few are sometimes invited to actually test out various video games at home before they are released to the general public.
Don’t Pay for Survey Site Access
If you’ve ever surfed around on the Internet looking for ways to make extra money, you no doubt come across many survey sites claiming to fill your pockets with cash for very little effort on your part. In fact, some of these companies can sound so sincere and promising, that unsuspecting participates eagerly pay some upfront fees with the anticipation that they’ll soon be on easy street.
However, we are here to tell you that paying money to view a listing of survey sites is not a good use of your money. We hate to use the word SCAM, because some survey site lists may charge for their product – a contact list of survey sites --- and make no promises about the outcome. So they aren’t really stealing your money, but it’s just not a cost-effective product to buy. Some of the come-ons might sound like this “We offer you a huge database list where you can instantly access over a hundred survey sites for a one-time fee of 29.99.”
Instead of paying nearly $30 of your hard-earned money, you can find plenty of databases of survey sites that offer your free access to legitimate, validated online surveys. The reason these no-cost survey databases can be offered free of charge is that the administrator receives a small referral payment from the listed survey sites. That is, each time you visit the database and click through a survey site link, a fee is paid to the list owner for directing new business to the survey site.
So, when looking to participate in surveys, understand that it is never necessary to pay money up front. Most companies with survey site information are being paid directly by the survey site; therefore, payment by the consumer to participate is not truthful. Also, when joining survey sites, make sure to always read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy to understand exactly what you are getting into. Even if you are not paying money, follow the piece of advice “Buyer Beware.”
Sweeten Life With Candy Surveys
Some sweet times are coming your way because June is National Candy Month. If you haven’t already been celebrating, break open a chocolate bar or bag of jelly beans and enjoy! And, while you sitting back enjoying this favorite treat of people around the world, consider another way to sweeten you day – taking paid online surveys. Just think you can make a little extra money in your spare time to help fun your candy habit!
Many online surveys focus on consumer products, the household items that we all use every day. Your opinions may be sought out on many household items that could include window cleaners, sunscreens, makeup, pasta sauces, snack foods --- and candy! So, let’s use the example of candy to help understand how the paid online surveys work.
In most online surveys, you will be asked to recall your experiences using the product, the specific brand of candy in this case. The questionnaire may ask you to rate your opinions on a scale, to write out your answers in a more subjective format, or some combination of both. The marketers may also ask for you to indicate all the brands of candy that you’ve heard of and your opinions on each of these; this is so they can gauge their position against the candy competition.
Sometimes when taking paid surveys, you may really get to sink your teeth into the project. From time to time, a company may actually send you a sample of the candy treat to evaluate in your own home and maybe even share with family and friends for their opinions. You must always follow the survey instructions on how to use, distribute, and talk about the product. Sometimes the company encourages the free word-of-mouth marketing while other times the product and information you are sent is proprietary and should be held in strict confidence.
After completing your free surveys on candy, most survey sites will reward you in one of several ways. You may earn “reward points” which can be saved up and later redeemed for all sorts of popular merchandise and gift cards to leading merchants. Or, you may be paid for your opinions with free entries into large sweepstakes offering you the opportunity to win a big prize. Finally, quite a few online surveys will pay participants in actual money via a check sent to their home address or deposited into an online bank account.
Unemployment Still High – Online Surveys Help Pay Bills
It was just about a year ago in 2009, President Obama signed the mega-billion stimulus package into law, claiming that the unemployment rate would not surpass 8 percent. However, in the early months of 2010 the unemployment rate as been as high as 10.4% according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure has receded some, down to 9.7% for June, but much of this dip can be attributed to the 411,000 temporary workers that were hired to do US Census work.
If you are one of the nearly one it ten people who finds themselves without a job in these troubled economic times, there are ways to make extra money at home while you keep hitting the job market hard. For example, taking paid surveys is a good way to earn some extra cash that can be put toward paying the bills, buying groceries or covering your healthcare premiums. As a supplement to your unemployment check or part-time job, this can help get you through the rough patches until you can land a permanent position.
Online surveys may compensate you for your opinions in the range of $2 to $10 per survey depending on the length, complexity and the company conducting the research. While you obviously aren’t going to be able to call this a full-time gig, you can make a worthwhile endeavor if you have several surveys lined up per day. In order to maximize your opportunities to take online surveys for money, register with as many survey sites as you can and then when an invitation to participate comes your way, promptly complete the questions. Often, the more active your are taking surveys with a particular survey site, the more invitations you will receive.
Focus groups are another good way to make some extra money in your down time between interviews. Unlike online surveys, focus groups require you to meet at the researcher’s facility with a group of other consumers to share opinions in a moderated, roundtable format. Because participation in focus groups required travel time and a higher level of input, payment for completing can often be much higher. Occasionally, online focus groups can be found that offer the same multi-person exchange of ideas in an “online chat” or “webinar” type format.
Refreshing as Ice Tea – Online Surveys
Quench your thirst for a cool way to make some extra cash by taking online surveys. Every June 19th is National Ice Tea Day, and there’s no better feeling that pouring a tall glass of tea, booting up your computer and making some supplemental funds for your summertime vacation.
Quite quaffable, ice tea can be enjoyed with a twist of lemon, a little sugar to sweeten and mint leaves for freshness – or you can drink ice tea plain. The same can be said about taking surveys online line – not that you should literally sprinkle a little pink packet all over your keyboard, but that taking surveys can be enjoyed in many forms and fashions.
Some online surveys are short and sweet; a few questions about your demographics and simple quantifiable scales where you can mark your level of interest or disinterest in a certain product or service. Other paid surveys search deeper, asking qualitative questions about what you think; these types of projects will typically have a text box in which you can write answer an open-ended question.
Another think about iced tea, it’s got a little pick-me-up in the form of caffeine. To make an analogy between ice tea and surveys may seem far-fetched, but just read on. A paid survey can add a little perk or boost to you as well in the form of cash compensation, merchandise or prizes. When you drink ice tea, it’s good but then it’s gone; but when you share your opinion with companies eager to listen, you will be nourished long-term knowing that you’ve helped make the consumer market place for everyone.
Getting thirsty for a taste of paid surveys yet? Pour a tall glass of your favorite summer libation, hang out in the hammock with your laptop and sign up with one of the many online survey sites around. Soon you will be receiving invitations to participate in many exciting market research projects that will sweeten your summer-time budget.
Attention: Your Check is in the Mail
“Your check is in the mail,” how many times have you heard (or used) that expression?! If you want a money-making opportunity you can count on, consider taking paid online surveys. During lunch at work, between errands, in the evening watching television – these are all ideal times to take surveys for money. While some scoff at the idea of participating in this make-money-at-home opportunity, it really can be a legitimate way to earn a little extra cash
It is easy to get started in online survey programs. To make sure you are signing up with reputable marketing research companies, get your leads from trustworthy databases of paid surveys, from friends and family, or from online forums that give the thumbs-up on a certain company. If you are feeling uncertain about a specific paid survey program, you can also check with the Better Business Bureau, Survey Police or the word-of-mouth scoop posted on survey discussion forums.
After you submit your basic contact information and demographics, you’ll typically receive invitations in your email inbox to take surveys based on your interests. The length and scope can vary based on the project, but usually the surveys are quite interesting and even fun. After successfully completing a survey, you will be rewarded one of many ways according to the company you are working with. Points for merchandise and prizes are always popular rewards, but even better, participants can often get paid in cash.
When earning cash compensation for taking money surveys, you can be paid in several ways. First, the check can literally be in the mail, where you can then cash it or deposit it however you see fit. Another popular way to send funds is a direct transfer into an online bank account such as Paypal. Finally, you may be sent a pre-loaded debit card with your compensation that can be used at the merchant of your choice.
The Buzz on WOM Marketing
Word of mouth marketing is the way today’s smart companies get people talking about their products and services. One person tells another person how much they love a particular item, that person tells a few others and so on until an exponential amount of new, potential customers have been reached in this casual and informal way of advertising. Corporations that realize the importance of generating this kind of buzz often launch word of mouth marketing campaigns; they can be initiated directly through the company’s marketing/communications department or an outside firm specializing in “buzz marketing” can be retained.
As a participant in a word-of-mouth marketing campaign, you may be invited to all types of exciting, fun formats for spreading the word about a particular product. Some formats of word-of-mouth marketing happen in a party atmosphere, where you will be expected to host people in your home and feature the free products sent through various entertaining tips. Typically, you will also be sent party favors, party decorations and coupons to pass out to your guests to make it a win-win for everyone. This format creates a festive environment, where the host or hostess can be seen as the expert and casually share his or her testimonial, tips and techniques about the product. After the party ends, participants get to keep the supplies sent as a reward and are expected to fill out host online surveys about the experience.
Other types of word-of-mouth marketing projects send products, coupons, sales literature, and free samples for the participants to use and share as they see fit. Companies are banking that product will be a hit and participants will want to share the good news with friends, family, co-workers – even causal acquaintances and friends-of-friends through social media. The process to join these types of campaigns usually requires joining a word-of-mouth marketing company, registering and taking a number of demographic and interest online surveys to determine what type of products and services best fit your lifestyle and ability to spread the word.
Corporations are looking for friendly, outgoing people who have a large circle of connections and aren’t afraid to voice opinions, make recommendations and give testimonials. For influential, in-the-know type “busy bodies”, this is a great way to try out new products, interact with people in a fun way and even earn rewards at the same time. Most often, the product itself is the reward for participating in word-of-mouth campaigns and taking all the required free surveys. The products marketed can range from free household goods such as top-end cookware to the latest anti-aging face cream. One recent campaign that garnered lots of attention and had tongues wagging was the Ford Fiesta campaign that gave away 100 cars (for 6 months of use) to influential, 20-something, social media aficionados! Check out a database of survey sites to find companies and firms that offer word-of-mouth marketing projects for consumers and start buzzing today!
Achieve Goals with Paid Surveys
Having goals will assist you in living the life you’ve always wanted. From personal goals to professional goals, following proven techniques in goal settings makes the chances for your success much more tangible. Many people have found that taking paid surveys is a great way to help earn extra money to attain goals. Whether you are looking to help finance your education, pay the bills, purchase a luxury item or any other number of short and long-term goals, there are a few tips that can help you maximize your efforts.
However, to make your goals materialize, you can’t simply sit back and wait for things to happen – you have to be proactive. Goal setting to achieve your dreams takes time to plot them out and then follow-through with lots of hard work. Following proven steps can help you form goals for taking online surveys that are easier to keep and accomplish.
Set Motivating Goals: Goals must light a fire under you, making you want to jump up and take action. If you don’t have commitment to the hobby of taking paid online surveys, it is easy to give up or be distracted. But, if you are truly motivated to make something happen, it usually will!
Set Attainable Goals: If you are dreaming of an expensive mansion, taking a handful of $10 surveys a month is not even going to pay the electric bill. In fact, it is not realistic to think that a full-time income can be made taking paid surveys. But, allotting a just few hours each month to make $100 or so a month is a great justification for not giving up your pricy coffee shop habit or some other attainable goal.
Put Words or Pictures to Goals: Experts suggest putting your goals into words to make them more tangible and more real. In order to keep plugging away at taking paid surveys, even when it might seem to get boring or when you are harried for time, you can try writing down your goals or even creating a “goal” poster. Glue pictures of your end goal onto a blank sheet of paper; it’s amazing how a daily glance at this poster will remind you how much the new car, the college education, the dream vacation or any other goal actually means to you.
Whatever your goals are, big or small, taking cash surveys is a proven means to an end. While smaller goals can be achieved more quickly through a few short paid surveys, even ambitious dreams can be realized with “sticktoitiveness” and a good solid base of reoccurring paid surveys and larger, higher-paying focus groups and market research projects.
Take Paid Surveys at Academic Institutions
On the Internet, taking paid surveys has been a very high-profile way to make extra cash in just a few moments of spare time. These surveys are advertised on many web-sites, pop-up windows and often on invitations delivered right into your email inbox. Many of these online survey come-ons seem spammy; and like most money-making opportunities, some are and some aren’t. It takes a wise consumer along with the help of a reputable online survey database to help you scout out the best paid surveys.
However, one of the most universally “safe” places to take paid online surveys is at educational institutions across the country. Major universities and colleges typically have one or more departments that conduct surveys to help support the ongoing research of students, fellows and professors. Gathering data is an integral part of proving a hypothesis and thus a vital activity in writing term papers, dissertations and preparing articles for publication in academic journals. Also, occasionally universities and colleges will be hired by outside sources to conduct paid surveys on their behalf.
When you sign up in to take surveys at an academic institution, you may be required to appear in person for a one-on-one interview or to take part in a multi-person focus group. However, the most common format required to take surveys is to complete them over the Internet because it is economically allows for creating a data sample of people all over the country or world. Many of the departments of academic institutions have programs for online surveys with the business school and department of psychology seeming to be two of the most popular.
Which college or university you sign up with to take surveys dictates the way you will be compensated. Compensation can also vary from project to project within each school. Some online surveys are paid in actual cash that can be sent to directly to a Paypal account or mailed to a home address. Other paid surveys are compensated with other perks such as gift cards to major retailers, popular merchandise and even entries into exciting sweepstakes.
To sign up for paid surveys at academic institutions, there are several methods. The first is that many are word-of-mouth, meaning a friend or family member might have heard about the opportunities and has passed the information on. Second, these online surveys can be found proactively by visiting the websites of colleges in your area and signing up for participation. Finally, many chances to take surveys online for academic institutions can be found by signing up to be a member of an online database of survey sites that have been researched and verified for your protection.
Try Out Product Sampling
Are you an early adopter of technology, gadgets and gizmos? Are you the first to see every blockbuster movie? Are you on the cutting edge of every fashion and fad? If you answered answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, then you are sure to love being a product tester. A product tester is a regular consumer or potential consumer who is sent a product in the mail to try out, evaluate and then report findings on a survey or product review.
Many survey sites have client corporations who desire more feedback from consumers than just an online survey alone can provide. It’s one thing to imagine how a product would work, taste, smell, or last but quite another to actually experience these product attributes first hand. When companies provide survey takers with a product to sample, they can look forward to data rich with valuable opinions and insights that can be incorporated into the product development and marketing processes. This makes the consumer experience for everyone!
Often, an opportunity to participate in a product sample will come after completing a “screener” type online survey. However, not every online survey ends with the promise of a product sample, that’s for certain. You may be asked at the end of the paid survey if you would be willing to use and evaluate a product if sent to your home. Often these products can be labeled generically so that you provide unbiased answers without the brand’s reputation influencing your opinions.
Compensation for participating in product testing is as varied as the companies that have product sample programs. Usually, the reward for trying out the product and completing a short survey is just the product itself. This is great, especially if it is something that you really like! Often, you will also be sent coupons and other incentives for purchasing the product in the future and to share with friends. Some product sampling projects that are time consuming or have lengthy paid surveys will offer additional compensation such as cash, extra reward points from the survey site, or even additional merchandise. To find survey sites that offer product sampling, visit SurveyAdventure.com and start exploring today!