In case you’re looking for an easy way to make some extra cash, you’ve probably considered taking online surveys. From easy cash to paying off debts, there are several ways to make money from home with paid surveys.
You’ll need to avoid some of the more common pitfalls, however, to ensure you’re actually making money from online surveys.
Avoid Scams
Most people looking for ways to make extra cash avoid scams completely, but it’s still one of the main ways people get scammed when participating in online surveys. In some cases, the person you’re working with may try to trick or trick you into giving them money for nothing. This may include claiming to be affiliated with a famous brand or product and asking you to download a fraudulent app or browser extension.
Other times, you’re asked to pay for things that aren’t worth your time, like gym memberships or software that doesn’t even work. Avoiding these types of scams is simple: Just be aware of them and do your best to discern the difference between a legit and a scam offer. You can find a list of the most common scammy offers here.
Don’t Waste Your Time
One of the things that makes online surveys so attractive is the possibility of making money passively without having to invest a lot of time. You can take surveys whenever you want and if you don’t make any money within a certain amount of time, you can just repeat the process. This is called a “paid survey.”
These surveys vary from easy to difficult and some are much more lucrative than others. Unfortunately, many people waste their time with paid surveys rather than focusing on the ones that actually pay the bills. Instead of rushing through to get to the good stuff, take your time to go through the entire list of paid surveys and read the instructions carefully. Some of them can be quite time-consuming.
Only Try What You’re Capable Of
If you’ve been looking for a way to make extra money online, you’d probably considered taking paid surveys because they’re such an easy way to make cash. The problem is that not all paid surveys are created equal and some are quite difficult to make money with. If you’re new to the survey world, start small and build your way up. Only participate in those that you’re actually capable of making money with.
Focus On One Opportunity
You should only be participating in one opportunity at a time and although it would be tempting to get involved with several surveys at once, try to avoid this as much as possible. As much as possible, you want to keep your focus on one survey at a time and not get distracted by other possible opportunities. This is because sometimes you’ll find yourself disqualified from certain surveys because you’re already taking part in another one. Even worse, sometimes you’ll find yourself inadvertently taking part in a scam. Make sure you’re aware of all the opportunities out there and only participate in those that you’re actually qualified for.
Use Your Brain
One of the things that makes some surveys more lucrative than others is the quality of your thinking. For instance, if you’re a quick thinker, you may be able to get a lot of value out of certain surveys that require a bit of brain power. As you get better at thinking fast, you’ll be able to get even more value out of those same surveys. Use your brain and you’ll be able to make it where not all the thinking is done for you.
Build Up Your Data Base
Even if you’re doing some of the work manually, you’ll still need to have a way of keeping track of the surveys you’ve taken. This is where having a good record of previous survey results comes in handy. If you feel like you’re having some trouble making money with surveys, take some time to look back over your previous answers and see what types of questions you’ve been asked and how you’ve responded. You can then determine if this is a situation where you need to switch gears and find a different approach or if you need to try out a new strategy. Either way, building up a good data base of previous results can help you find the best way of going about taking surveys.
Be Confident
When you first start out, it can be hard to look at the statistics that tell you how much others are earning. The key is to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. Even if you don’t feel like you have much in the way of skills, it’s important to remember that you’re still capable of making money. You may not be able to become a professional surfer, but you can certainly make money from home by taking online surveys. Confidence is key!
Use The Money You Make
It’s important to keep in mind that although you’re making money with surveys, you’re not necessarily rich. As a general rule, you should try to use the money you make from online surveys to pay off debts or invest in your future. This is why you shouldn’t be looking for ways to make quick cash without working hard – you’ll never be able to keep up with the constant influx of income you’re going to experience if you keep doing this.
Be Careful With Gifts And Free Materials
Gifts and free materials can be great ways to make extra cash, but you have to be careful. A lot of the time, these are simply ways of getting more information about you. Many times, you’re asked to give your credit card to make sure you can purchase products that are on sale or to enter a giveaway. The information you provide during these processes is usually used for marketing purposes. Although this may not seem like a problem, make sure you’re aware that this is what’s happening. Keep in mind that your sensitive information may be stolen and used against you. Make sure you’re careful with gifts and free materials and try not to give out any personal information.
Watch Out For Your Personal Data
As a general rule, you should only give out information that you’re comfortable sharing publicly. This could mean that although it might be tempting to upload a bunch of selfies and gain some instant gratification, you might end up doing more harm than good. Make sure you’re mindful of what you post online and use your best judgment. Never give out information that you wouldn’t be comfortable sharing publicly. Whether it’s your personal data or just general interest information, try to keep everything professional. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to draw the line between personal and professional information, but once you do, everything will become clear.
Avoid Scams And Use Your Brain
As you’ve probably guessed, scams are one of the major problems associated with taking online surveys. Avoid these by being vigilant and using your brain. Stay away from deals that seem too good to be true and read reviews before providing any information. If you see that a lot of people are complaining or if the methods seem suspicious, it’s a good idea to walk away. Don’t be afraid to turn down offers that seem too good to be true. It’s never a bad idea to ask for references and contact the Better Business Bureau if you’re unsure about an offer.
It may also be a good idea to consult a lawyer before getting involved with any online surveys. Doing business online isn’t exactly a safe venture and you might consider becoming a registered user on a few online platforms just to be on the safe side. Having a business website doesn’t imply that you have to provide customer service or take part in any online surveys – but it’s still something to think about.
Focus On Doing Good
As much as you might like to believe that you’re going to make tons of money taking online surveys, the reality is that this isn’t usually the case. As much as you might like to help others by participating in a survey, you’re actually helping a company build a database. The good news is that if you’re doing this out of the kindness of your heart, it’s still valuable to you. Think of all the good that you’re doing and keep in mind that although you might not see immediate results, you’re still helping out. By doing good, you’re also helping yourself – even if you don’t realize it yet.
When it comes to passive income, some forms of online surveys can be a great way to make extra cash. Just be careful not to get scammed and use your brain as much as you can. If you’re looking for ways to make extra cash, it may be a good idea to consider taking online surveys – but not too much computer time, okay? Keep your focus on one survey at a time and make sure you’re answering only those that you’re qualified for. Good luck out there!