Small Business Resource: Are There Really Free Online Surveys That Pay People?

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June 25, 2007

Are There Really Free Online Surveys That Pay People?

Many of us are intrigued by myths and legends, like the Sasquatch, the leprechaun or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Free online surveys have become modern versions of these legends. The promise of money for what most people do in their spare time is hardly anything new, but the prospect that it actually could happen to you tends to surprise a lot of people.

The reality is, is that there are, indeed, online surveys that do pay. Consumers that are looking for the opportunity to share their insight with major corporations and major corporations want their consumer input regarding their products, because it assists them in marketing their products. There is no point in designing a fish-flavored cough syrup, and putting it in plastic bags if nobody is going to buy it. This type of critical business error can end up costing a company millions of dollars, so giving a way a few dollars or a free product can actually save a corporate money.

Free online surveys that pay are available just about anywhere online, but in the midst of the free opportunities lie opportunities that aren't so fantastic. They offer a list of "free surveys" that you can take, but they end up charging a fee to get access to their list. The truth is that the lists of company's are available everywhere because the companies that are interested in consumers opinions make this information available for free.

Several internet sites have discussion forums in which you can find all sorts of tales. Everything from construction workers that gave up their jobs to do surveys on handbags, to stay-at-home moms that add income to the family by revealing information about their favorite deli meats. These sites are also great ways to hear stories of some of the more questionable paid survey opportunities.

There are free online surveys that pay anyone in the family as long as a responsible adult is around to monitor their internet usage. Many companies are interested in the opinions of children as much as they are adults. This is because children are frequent consumers of products like TV dinners and popsicles. Businesses are willing fork out millions of dollars for this type of seemingly "obvious" information. Just remember this important principle; be careful with your personal information. Giving away your time is one thing, but giving away your credit card number is quite another.

Posted by David at June 25, 2007 2:04 PM