Inflation has reached record levels and while some may claim that this is an unavoidable consequence of living in a world connected by technology, it’s definitely not. It’s not difficult to find ways to make money when you know where to look.
Surveys seem like a mundane topic at first. How many surveys can you fill out before you start to get bored? Well, let me ask you this. When was the last time you actually spent a joyful moment just answering survey questions? I’m guessing it was never.
Nowadays, you’ll get paid to take surveys. There are several survey sites where you can earn money passively by just filling out the surveys. You won’t get rich doing this, but it’s a way to make some extra cash.
If you’re unfamiliar, surveys are simply questionnaires that you’re invited to take part in online. You can find them scattered across the web or you can join a larger panel and get invited to take surveys on a regular basis. Some panels will pay you to take surveys, others will pay you for just living in a certain demographic (i.e. young adult, etc.).
There are several ways to make money from surveys. You can take advantage of paid surveys, you can join a survey panel where you get invited to take part in rewarding online surveys or you can become a paid consultant and earn extra cash when you tell others how to make money online (e.g. via affiliate marketing, etc.).
The Great British Public Is Getting Hungry For Inflation Reduction
According to the Office for National Statistics, prices rose by 3.5% in the year to March 2019, the largest increase since records began in 1881. This is mainly down to rising international oil and food prices along with a rise in the cost of living which you may also be partly responsible for (depending on the country you live in, of course).
While the cost of living may be rising, wages haven’t kept pace. According to the ONS, average weekly earnings only rose by 1% in 2019 compared to the previous year. This means that either employees are having to stretch their income or employers are having to offer higher wages to attract and retain staff. The public are also feeling the pinch as living costs rise and wages don’t keep up.
There are signs that this situation could be alleviated if not entirely mitigated, if the public become more aware of the hidden costs of living and start demanding better value for money. Inflation continues to be a significant issue, especially among low income households. One way of countering this would be through tighter control of food and energy prices (e.g. through the imposition of minimum food standards and energy efficiency measures), the other being increased productivity (i.e. raising the living standards of those participating in the workforce).
The Rise Of Online Surveying
It’s well known that the cost of traditional face-to-face fieldwork is rising as labor-intensive work becomes less attractive to recruiters. This is particularly acute in the case of market research where salaried employees sit in front of a computer for hours on end, ticking off boxes and answering questions about the latest news stories or advertising campaigns. The convenience of online surveying has clearly become a preferred alternative for busy, working mums and dads, as well as for students who want to earn some extra cash. For those who can access the internet, taking online surveys is the quick and easy way to make a small amount of money.
The popularity of online surveying is clearly evidenced by the fact there are now hundreds of sites where you can take part in paid surveys, with various countries boasting different regulations regarding the acceptance of online payments. Some of these sites will even allow you to make money through the referral program, where you’ll earn a small amount of cash for every person that signs up through your link.
Why Is Internet Usage On The Rise?
While it’s fairly evident that people are becoming more comfortable accessing the internet and social media via their mobile phones, why is desktop usage rising?
A couple of reasons come to mind. First, as previously stated, the cost of fieldwork is going up. As well as this, it’s now possible to do far more effective and efficient research online. For example, you could look up past election results, track the stock market or check the value of different currencies 24/7. This simply wasn’t practical or efficient back in the day when data was collected via pen and paper.
The second reason is that more people are getting the opportunity to grow their own food. When you have to worry about where your next meal is coming from, it’s easier to appreciate the value of what you have. When the world starts looking a little less luxurious and a little more like the world we actually live in, people are going to feel the need to be a lot more mindful about what they consume.
Paid Surveys Vs. Niche Panels
When you sign up to take part in a survey, you’ll typically be sent to a list of potential survey sites where you can earn a few pennies. These surveys aren’t going to make you rich, but they can certainly help alleviate the financial worries that are weighing heavily on many household budgets. Especially at a time of year when salaries are on the decline, it’s a godsend for those who are looking for an extra source of income.
It’s important to keep in mind though that some surveys are more worthwhile than others. One way of determining the value of a survey is by looking at the pay rates. Typically, you’ll be offered $1 to $5 per day or $15 per week for participating in certain niche panels. These are generally more beneficial to you as an individual than the typical online survey that might ask you about the latest celebrity scandal or which flavor of ice cream you prefer.
If you can find a niche panel that suits your skills and has an appreciable pay rate, you’re best off engaging with them for the duration as it will help to stabilize your finances. A lot of people are finding success online by becoming a freelance researcher, specializing in a particular area such as healthcare, marketing, or social media. By putting in the required training, it’s possible to make a reasonable living from just taking online surveys. The convenience of this approach is that you can literally run from project to project as opportunities arise.
Where Can I Find The Best Survey Sites?
When it comes to finding a place where you can make money from surveys, you’ll first need to decide whether you’re going to opt for a paid or unpaid option. In most cases, you’ll need to register with an email address and create a password so you can access your account in the future. You can find a list of the best survey sites here. Most of the top survey sites will also allow you to make money online through the referral program, where you’ll earn a small amount of cash for every person that signs up through your link.
If you decide that you want to go down the paid route, make sure to read the small print before you agree to take part in any surveys. Just because a site says that it’s a safe and secure way of paying doesn’t mean that it actually is. Sometimes, unscrupulous businesses will use misleading marketing slogans to attract customers. Always look at the terms and conditions of any paid survey site before you join. If you’re finding it difficult to make ends meet, you might consider looking at ways of improving your financial situation- whether this is downsizing your life or seeking part-time work. If you’re worried about your personal safety, you might want to avoid surveying online as you can never be too careful when it comes to your money or personal details.
How Do I Become A Successful Researcher?
If you’re looking to make a transition into the field of research, you’ll need to first decide what level of expertise you have. For those who have a genuine interest in becoming a successful researcher, you might want to consider looking at the MSc in Applied Social Sciences from London University or the Bachelors in Applied Social Sciences from Manchester University. To really stand out from the competition, you could look into applying for a PhD in a relevant field. You might want to look at some of the top universities in the world to see just how much attention and how many opportunities are on offer to students who graduate from here.
Once you’ve decided on what level of expertise you have, you can start preparing for the entrance exam. For those who aren’t familiar with UK education standards, the general education requirements for those seeking a PhD are as follows: