Thursday, November 5, 2009

Survey Spot News

First of all, I want to apologize for the lack of updates lately. I've been really stressed out with my classes, but my work load should calm down within a few weeks.

But for now, here's just a quick update regarding Survey Spot. According to their latest newsletter, they are now allowing you to request payment via Paypal. Previously, it would take weeks to receive your checks in the mail. Now, it will only take a few days to get money directly to your Paypal account. In my opinion, this is definitely a change for the better and it will be a huge convenience to many.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

An Update on IM Report Card

Since the last time I posted about IM Report Card, there have been quite a few updates to the program that are worth taking note of. In my opinion, they are definitely all changes for the better.

First of all, while you can post comments on sites of at least 50 words, you will not get paid for them unless they are at least 100 words. This change was actually made a while back, but I just haven't gotten around to writing about it until now. This is pretty easy to reach and ensures that people are giving enough detail and that they have actually used the site they're writing about. My tip: write detailed comments, then copy and paste into MS Word to make sure you have written enough.

Another update is that now you cannot cash out unless at least 25% of your earnings are from writing comments. This should not be a problem for anyone using the site legitimately. It's just a way to make sure that people are actually contributing instead of just randomly grading sites they haven't used.

Finally, owners of the sites being reviewed now have the option to write "rebuttals" to user comments. Unless you're a site owner, this won't really affect you at all. Basically, it just allows them the chance to state their side of the story.

To join, click here: IM Report Card.
For more information about IM Report Card check my Review.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Paid Survey Review: My Opinion Now

I've been holding off on writing this review because I wasn't getting many surveys when I first signed up. However, I've recently seen a huge jump in survey invitations so I thought that I'd share. My Opinion Now is a quality paid survey panel that compensates you with RewardPoints that you can redeem for a fairly large variety of merchandise and gift cards. At this time, they do not offer cash, but the rewards are still pretty good. They mostly include electronics and gadgets, but you can also get iTunes gift cards and magazine subscriptions. And you can earn enough points for the latter pretty easily, since the surveys definitely compensate you well for your time. You can also earn additional points by referring new members. You should also make sure to fill out your profile surveys so you can qualify for more surveys.

Click here to sign up: My Opinion Now

Monday, October 12, 2009

RepNation

RepNation is a site that's very similar to BzzAgent, except for the fact that most campaigns pay in cash. As a member, you can earn RepRewards by completing various tasks, which usually include product tests, surveys, or simply spreading the word about new products and brands. Compensation also includes getting to keep any products that you test. You can earn more RepRewards by building up your member profile, which is also beneficial in that it allows you to qualify for more tasks. You can fill out profile surveys, upload a photo, and upload your resume. You can give as much or as little information as you like, but the more you give, the more opportunities you'll get. Each month, you can also earn a little extra by submitting your "Monthly Stats." Basically, this is just a list of what you think is hot right now in various different categories, including TV, music, and more.

Once you reach a minimum of 25oo RepReward points (equivalent to $25), you can request payment via Paypal.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Paid Surveys at Springboard America

Springboard America is a fairly new paid survey panel, but I like it a lot so far! They send surveys very frequently that are usually worth between $1 to $5. The surveys are unique compared to other panels because they are more interactive and fun. They are also very easy to complete and take very little time to do.

However, there is a major drawback, which is the fact that you have to have a minimum of $50 in your account before you can request payment. Although it might take a while to make this much, I still think it's worth adding to the list of panels to join since it's not very time-consuming. It should also be noted that they only pay with checks, and it takes up to six weeks for you to receive them. Like a lot of survey panels, you do also have the option of donating your earnings to charity.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Paid Surveys at Datatelligence

Another great paid survey panel is Datatelligence. Not only do they conduct regular online surveys, but they also host many high-paying focus groups and at-home product tests. I haven't had any experience with their product tests, but the focus groups I have participated in with them were very simple and not too time-consuming. One of them only lasted a week and took between 5-15 minutes a day. It paid over $20 for what ended up being less than an hour of work! They send email invitations for these and other surveys fairly frequently and I've had a lot of luck qualifying for them. The only negative thing I can say about them is that the rewards system is kind of difficult to figure out. Still, I definitely think it's worth a shot.

And don't forget, every time I add a new survey review, I also add it to the Paid Survey Directory (so it's always updated.)

Friday, September 25, 2009

Who Pays the Fastest?

Sometimes you need money...quick. Unfortunately, many sites take several weeks before they send you your payment. So here's my list of programs through which I've received payments in under a week! All of them pay through Paypal (but most of them have other options as well.) Most of them also have low minimums (or no minimums at all!)

1.) IM Report Card (average of just 2 days!)
2.) Deal Barbie Pays Fast (1-4 days)
3.) Pinecone Research (about 3-5 days)
4.) YouData (pays EVERY Friday)
5.) Opinion Place (less than a week)

Saturday, September 19, 2009

My Top 10 Squidoo Tips

As you've probably noticed, I'm in love with Squidoo. I think it's such a great way to earn extra cash and to get traffic, too. So here are a few tips to make sure your lenses are the best they can be, in order to increase both traffic and lensrank.

Note: If you've already taken these steps and are just looking to get your lens out there, check out Over 80 Ideas for Free Website Promotion (there's a whole section just for lens promotion!)

1.) Make sure you update your bio and upload an avatar. This makes you seem more personable and also gives you more authority.

2.) Make sure you change all the default module titles. Otherwise, your lens looks unfinished and sloppy.

3.) Write excellent, helpful lenses. Make them stand out among other lenses. If they have unique content, you are almost guaranteed to get good ratings and comments.

4.) Make your lens pretty. Use some HTML and CSS (you don't have to know how, there's plenty of short tutorials, such as this one.)

5.) Use nice pictures and graphics throughout your lenses.

6.) Double-check your grammar and spelling. It may sound self-evident, but so many people publish lenses with hundreds of errors. No one wants to try to decipher what you mean.

7.) Avoid long paragraphs. Instead, break them up into shorter modules. This makes it so much easier for readers to find what they're looking for.

8.) Use interactive modules in your lenses, such as the plexos, debate modules, and polls. People love to share their opinions.

9.) Stick to relevant modules. If you have a lens about movies, for example, don't add the module for Orbit travel.

10.) Add Amazon/eBay/Zazzle lenses. They are a great way to earn you even more money. It's a good idea to choose the products yourself, though, so you know what you're selling.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Media Curves Study Results

I am part of the HCD Survey Panel and have been participating in MediaCurves.com studies. MediaCurves.com conducts many surveys testing TV commercials. They just conducted a study with 300 viewers of a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from the U.K. illustrating the dangers of texting and driving. Results showed that majority of viewers (80%) reported that they are less likely to text while driving after watching the PSA. The study also found that 85% of American viewers reported that the PSA should be aired in the U.S. The majority of viewers (87%) believe that the PSA is appropriate in nature, and 86% also indicated that the PSA was extremely effective. More in-depth results can be viewed at http://www.mediacurves.com/NationalMediaFocus/J7508-PSA/Index.cfm

If you are interested in participating in future studies, you can join here: HCD Survey Panel

Saturday, September 12, 2009

IM Report Card Tips

I got a comment on my last post from a user who was having some problems earning with IM Report Card. After thinking about it, I thought it would be a good idea to post some tips and tricks in case anyone else is having a hard time there.

1.) Check the site often for any new reviews. That way you're more likely to be able to comment on them and even get bonus points if you're one of the first.

2.) Write excellent, detailed comments. People will probably rate your comments as helpful, which gives you bonus points.

3.) If there is a program you use that isn't currently reviewed, suggest it to them! Not only for the ability to comment on it, but also for the 75 points you get just for having suggested it.

4.) If you haven't used any of the sites, it's not to late to start. It's a great place to find out about new programs. Plus, then you can comment on it once you've tried it.

5.) When looking at the lists of programs reviewed, pay special attention to the ones with a "*" next to them. This means that there's only been one (or fewer) comment so far, so you can get bonus points for adding one.

6.) Take advantage of all the other ways to earn points: rating reviews, rating comments, grading programs, etc.

7.) Referrals! For whatever they make, you will earn matching points! In other words, if they write a comment and get 50 points, you'll also get 50 points.

Need help with referrals? Check out my post with tips on How to Get Referrals.

And if you still haven't joined IM Report Card, what are you waiting for? Click here to join.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

My Top Earners of the Moment

First of all, I can't believe I'm already writing my 50th post! It's really exciting, especially considering how much I've already discussed. But don't worry, there's a whole lot more still to come!

Anyway, I thought I'd use this post to reflect on my biggest triumphs so far. Here are my top 5 earners of the moment:

1.) IM Report Card is definitely my fastest earner. It's my favorite program that I've joined so far! And a pretty big portion of it I earn passively, both from referrals and people rating my reviews. I'm also getting a pretty good deal of traffic from them.

2.) Squidoo is another one of my faves. It's almost time for me to get my first payout. But I honestly wouldn't mind doing it for free. It's so much fun and gets me loads of targeted traffic. And I love being a part of the great community of "Squids" they've got going on.

By the way, my latest lens is about promoting websites for free online. There's over 80 different ideas listed to get you started! Check it out here: Over 80 Ideas for Free Website Promotion

3.) I'm still a loyal Cash Crate fan, as well! I just log in every once in a while, complete a few offers and earn a few bucks. I also love their referral program.

4.) HCD Surveys is, in my opinion, the easiest and most fun paid survey panel. The surveys are so short and different than those from other panels. It's great!

5.) Recently, My Survey has also climbed into my favorites! They were the ones to send me my first (and second) product tests. Not only did I get to keep the products, but I also got paid cash for answering questions about them. It's a great deal!

Monday, September 7, 2009

More Updates: Directories

I finished organizing the rest of the programs into directories. You can now find them all in the top right of the sidebar. As I said with the Paid Survey Directory, I will be frequently updating them with links whenever I write a new review. I think that this will make browsing much easier.

So now there is also a GPT Directory and a Misc. Money-Making Directory, which includes all the other ways to make money online that I've reviewed thus far.

In case you haven't noticed, I also did an overhaul of the contact form. I changed the format and gave it its own page. The link to this page is in the top right of the sidebar, as well.

And there's one last thing I wanted to share. I recently made my biggest purchase yet using solely from money I've made online. I bought a new Macbook! I'm so happy with it and it feels so good to have all my hard work pay off. Of course, I didn't make this money all at once. I've been saving up for a while. Still, I find it so amazing that I was able to make enough!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Update: Added Paid Survey Directory!

I've been working on this for a while and I finally finished. I decided to make browsing for paid survey panels easier by making a directory listing all of the ones I've discussed so far! Along with a link to join each panel, each listing also has a link to my review of it.

I will keep it updated as I review more survey panels in the future. I will also place a link to it on the top of the page for easy access.

My next project will be creating a directory of all the GPT sites and other money-making sites I've talked about.

But for now, here it is: Paid Survey Directory

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Mindfield Paid Surveys

Another quality paid survey site is Mindfield Online. With a minimum payout of only $5, it's a pretty quick earner. It's very easy to reach since surveys are sent pretty frequently. And you have the option of getting paid either by check or through Paypal.

I should mention, though, that you need to be patient when you first sign-up. At first, it seems like most of the survey invitations are only for sweepstakes entries. However, if you hold in there, you will be getting plenty of surveys for cash within a week or two.

Overall, this is another reputable and well-paying paid survey panel that I highly recommend. In order to sign-up click here: Mindfield Online.


Sunday, August 30, 2009

A Few More Paid Survey Reviews

Here are, yet again, some more paid survey panel reviews!

E-Poll
This is one of the first panels I ever signed up for. I'm going to say right off the bat, that it doesn't pay that well and the surveys aren't that frequent. However, I still recommend them because their surveys are short, fun, and easy. They're all about movies and television!

Valued Opinions
This is one of the better paid survey panels out there. They pay very well and send frequent surveys. When I first started doing them, I rarely qualified. But after a while my luck changed and I've made a lot of money with them.

Global Test Market
Although not one of my favorites, this is a very popular panel. They do have frequent surveys. However, my problems with them are that they don't pay much, it's extremely difficult to qualify, and they have a really high minimum payout.

YouGov America and YouGov Polling Point
These two are, obviously, run by the same company. Out of the two, I like Polling Point slightly better since their surveys are more frequent. However, neither of them pay very well and you would have to take a lot of surveys before you could get anything decent. Still the surveys are pretty interesting. Most of them are of a more political nature, similar to HCD Surveys.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Paid Survey and GPT News

First, the good news. HCD Surveys is starting a new promotion which allows you to earn points just by posting three links to Media Curve's survey results. This promotion is going on until September 27th. Check your account for details.

If you're not yet a member of this great paid survey panel, you can join here: HCD Surveys.

Now, for the bad news. One of my favorite GPT sites, My Flipper Cash, will be closing September 4th (Thanks to Miss Money Hunter for filling me in) So if you're a member, now's the time to cash out. The minimum cash-out has been lowered to $5, so it should be much easier to reach.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

MySurvey

MySurvey is another great paid survey panel that I have not reviewed in much detail, yet. So here is my review:

I really love this panel! Their surveys aren't as frequent as some other sites, but they do pay well. Once you reach 1000 points (equal to $10), you can request pay-out for either cash or various merchandise. You can reach this payout very easily.

They were also the first panel to send me a paid product test! I got to try out a new bag of chips and then take a paid survey about them. It was really easy and fun!

Teens can join as well, since you only need to be 14 to sign-up. And they do send surveys for each member of the family, as well.

Overall, this is another paid survey panel that I highly recommend. To sign-up, click here: MySurvey.

Monday, August 24, 2009

GPT: Dollar Click or Sign-Up

I recently realized that I had never written a review for one of my top-earning GPT sites: Dollar Click or Sign-Up. So here it is.

Similar to Deal Barbie Pays Fast, Dollar Click or Sign-Up has a minimum payment of only $1! Very easy to reach! You can either complete offers and surveys or get paid to click on ads. The PTC actually pays well, too, since most of the ads are one cent per view. You can then choose to cash out and get quickly paid through Paypal.

Of course, you can also get paid for referrals. That's another great aspect of this site: you earn 100% of your referrals' earnings!

In addition, Lora, the admin, is great! She's very friendly and always willing to answer any questions.

All in all, I highly recommend this site. Click here to join: Dollar Click or Sign-Up

Friday, August 21, 2009

IM Report Card Update

IM Report Card is growing fast! And they really do listen to user feedback, which has been shown in their latest updates. For one, you can now promote your site even more on there by having it in your public profile!

I don't think I mentioned this last time, but you can also make money through referrals on this site. In fact, you get a matching amount of credits that they get every time they comment, except for any bonus credits.

With one of their latest updates, you can now use your referral link to link to specific reviews. That way if you want to reference something on the site, you can still get credit if the person ends up joining.

The past few days they have also been adding many more programs to review. It seems to get better and better everyday.

If you haven't already signed-up, you can do so here: IM Report Card.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Paid to Upload Content

RedGage is a social networking site that pays you to post content, such as links, graphics, videos, documents, and blogs. You get paid based on how many views your content gets. Or if your content is really good, you can get featured and get even more cash with a special bonus.

I haven't made that much yet, but what I have made has been pretty passive. All I did was upload a few links to my own sites!

Click here to visit RedGage! Make sure that when you sign-up you tell them that moneymaker1008 sent you!

Oh and don't forget to add me to your friends :)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Get Paid to Review Money-Making Sites

That's right. Get paid to rate and review sites that most of you are already using! And if you aren't, get paid to discover and rate new ones. IM Report Card is my newest favorite earner. It's so easy to make money with them and it's so quick. They have a ton of websites and programs listed for you to review, from paid surveys and GPTs to affiliate marketing and business starting sites.

I just joined the other day and I'm already more than half-way towards the $20 payout! You get points for a variety of different actions. You get 50 points for each comment (basically a review) you make, plus a bonus if you're one of the first to write about it. You then get an extra point for each person that finds your comment helpful. You can get 75 points just for suggesting a new site for them to add. You also get 10 points to grade (rate) a site and 1 point each time you rate another person's comment as either helpful or unhelpful. You need 2,000 points to cash out. Pretty easy to reach!

And did I mention that this is also a great way to promote your own site, blog, or even referral links? You can use them in your signature, which appears at the bottom of every comment you make! I'm already getting some traffic from there.

I highly recommend this site. To sign-up click here: IM Report Card

And thanks to Reanna for letting me know about this site!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Swagbucks- Get Paid to Search

After hearing the unfortunate news about Scour, I decided to finally try out Swagbucks. I was not disappointed. The concept is very similar, you get paid to use their search engine. Only, with Swagbucks, each search gives you a chance to win points (called Swagbucks). It's really not that difficult and you win fairly often (at least a couple of times a day.) You can also earn points by finding special codes on their blog, Twitter, or other sites.

I highly recommend it. It's much more realistic than Scour is with its new changes. Also, the actual search engine quality is so much better. I really don't even notice much difference between Swagbucks and Google.

Sign up with them here: Swagbucks

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

How to Get Referrals (for Free!)

First off, check with the site you want to refer people to. They all have different rules about what they will and will not allow in terms of advertising your referral links. (NONE of them allow you to spam or send unsolicited emails and you will get banned if you do this.)

1.) Send link to friends and family
2.) Start a blog/website and include the link
3.) Add link to all your online profiles
4.) Put link in your email signature
5.) Put link in forum signatures
6.) Be the first to make a post about the site in a money-making forum
7.) Promote through social networking sites
8.) Free classified ads
9.) Write articles and include the link
10.) Create Squidoo lenses
11.) Participate in Traffic Exchanges
12.) Participate in Referral Exchanges (you can find them on most forums)
13.) Some sites run programs that allow you to get referrals out of anyone that signs up without a referral (Check with your site to see if they allow this and under what conditions)
14.) Make a video, add the link to it, and post on YouTube
15.) Take your promoting offline: flyers, business cards, etc

Now, simply getting referrals that don't do anything is pretty worthless. You really want active referrals so you can get money whenever they complete offers, take surveys, etc. So how can you get ACTIVE referrals?

1.) Most GPTs offer a way for you to send messages to your referrals, send them a welcome message!
2.) Give them your email address so they can contact you with any questions
3.) Walk them through the process and show them all there is that they can do
4.) Encourage them by sending weekly/monthly messages (maybe send Holiday messages)
5.) Alert them of any contests or promotions going on at the site

So get going! Start referring and racking up the cash! It won't happen overnight, of course. But if you take the time and put in the effort, you can make it happen.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Sites That Pay for Referrals

Before I start, I just wanted to give a quick update. I got to my hotel today, only to find that they did not have free Wi Fi. I found a little cafe nearby (where I am now), but the connection is extremely slow. It took me forever to even get to my email! I'll keep on the look-out for another Wi Fi location, but I may not be posting as much as planned for this week. Thanks for understanding.

Now, on to the good stuff! Today I thought I'd give you guys some sites (most of which I've discussed elsewhere) that are willing to pay you for referring other new members! Also, stay tuned to my blog for updates to the list and ideas for getting more referrals. Here's the list:

Survey Savvy
Say Nation
HCD Surveys (New members also get a $1 bonus for signing up through someone else's referral link!)

Cash Crate
Deal Barbie Pays
My Flipper Cash
Send Earnings
Deal Barbie Pays Fast

Swagbucks (I'll write more about this great site in another post, very soon!)

My next post will include a list of tips for getting lots of referrals!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Vacation Time

Hey, just wanted to give all you lovely readers a heads up. I'm going down to Virginia Beach and I'll be there until Friday.

Not to worry, I'll be bringing my laptop with me and I will try my hardest to keep up with everything. However, I will only be online for about an hour each day, so I probably won't have time to quickly respond to every email, comment, or question that I get. Still, feel free to contact me and I'll get back to you by Saturday at the very latest.

And keep reading! I have a few posts pre-written so there will still be updates this week!

Thanks for your attention,
Danielle

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Paid to Talk About What's Cool

For the past week I've been trying out two new programs that pay you to tell them what's hot right now. They're basically, word-of-mouth programs. So far, I really enjoy them both. They're fun and involve a lot of social networking.

BzzAgent
This is my favorite out of the two. There are so many different ways to earn points, which make you eligible to get free samples and products to try. Social networking is a big part of it, I even got to promote this blog a little bit! I haven't gotten an opportunity to try an products yet, but I've heard very good things about it from many people.

Buzzsponge
This one includes a paid survey component, but the main part is where you simply write a sentence or two about whatever is a hot topic for you at the time. Then people can discuss it and rate it. All of this gets you points.

I'm only just starting out with these, but I will definitely keep everyone updated!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Paid Surveys: The Good and The Mediocre

Here are some more paid survey reviews, including some good ones, and some mediocre.

Partnership Plus
I really like this panel. Every month, they send you a survey where you fill out the information for any clothing you purchased that month. It's fairly easy and you still earn even if you did not get any clothes during a particular month. They pay very well. The only downside: you need to make sure you keep your receipts as you'll need them to fill out the surveys.

Zoom Panel
A lot of people aren't crazy about this site, but I like it. The rewards aren't that great (points you can redeem for various merchandise.) However, they send surveys very often and I usually qualify. It's not that hard to rack up points. Good site for earning in your spare time.

Mail Diary Panel
In my opinion, this one isn't worth the hassle. And it takes a really long time to rack up enough points to get anything. Also, the rewards offered are pretty lame. You have to keep track of the details of even the most minor purchases you make each month. But if you are already doing this and don't mind filling it out every month, then it might be a good option for you.

My View
Some people like this panel, but I just can't recommend it. I've had some horrible experiences with them and their support team. I couldn't log in, due to some technical problem, and they weren't able to assist me. I lost all of my earnings, as a result.

Instead of bothering with them, I suggest joining Say Nation. They feature My View surveys, but they pay more for them, even if you don't qualify! Plus, their support team is amazing. I always get a prompt response and they quickly fix any problems.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Scour News

Some unfortunate news. Scour is switching from their current points system (for Visa giftcards) to sweepstakes entries. They're calling it an "upgrade" but I think it's pretty safe to say that it's the exact opposite. All points will have to be cashed out by the end of the month, or else they'll be worthless. This part is especially upsetting since so many people, myself included, will not be able to earn enough points to cash out by then.

I'm still hoping that there's a slight chance that they will change their minds due to all of the negative comments posted on Scour's official blog. Nobody is happy about this. I would think that many people would just stop using Scour all together if this change is made. There really wouldn't be much to make it stand out anymore. I think it would be a really dumb move.

What do you guys think?

Monday, August 3, 2009

Daily Paid Surveys

There are many sites, including GPTs and regular survey panels, that offer daily paid surveys. Especially, if you're having a slow day, they are an easy way to ensure you still make some cash. Some sites offer more money than others for some of the same surveys. Therefore, it's best to try out a couple a see which ones work best for you.

I'll start with some GPT sites that I've already mentioned in previous posts:

Cash Crate
Deal Barbie Pays
My Flipper Cash
Send Earnings

Now, I'll review some sites that actually send these daily surveys straight to your inbox. Each of them definitely has some unique survey opportunities that the others don't. So I suggest you try them all.

Palm Research
This site has many great surveys each day. Although, only some of them are emailed to you, so you might want to log in every once in a while. They pay very well. They are open to quite a few different countries, as well. My personal favorite out of these three sites.

Daily Survey Panel
They also have many opportunities and pay fairly well.

Survey Spot
They do have a lot of surveys, but over half of them are just for sweepstakes entries, instead of cash.

Friday, July 31, 2009

More Survey Reviews

Here are some more paid survey reviews.

Surveyhead
It's pretty easy to rack up cash on this site. You get a $5 bonus for signing up and you also get paid for each member profile you complete.

Focusline Surveys
Run by the same company as Surveyhead. Basically the same concept.

Netverdix
I really like this one. They don't send surveys all that frequently, but they pay very quickly when they do. And the surveys are fairly quick and easy.

HotSpex
A neat little survey panel. The rewards they offer aren't that great. But the surveys are quite fun. They call their members "innovators" instead of panelists. And the surveys include advanced features to allow you to better express your opinion.
Also, they include spin-wheels for chances to win additional points or prizes (your chances are pretty good for this, I've won a lot of additional points!)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Some GPT News!

I guess I'll start with the good news.

Cash Crate is now offering a new way to get your payments. In addition to getting checks in the mail, members who are at least Silver now also have the option to request payments directly to their bank accounts! This will probably come as a great convenience to many!

For more on this, check out Reanna's post on her blog.

Now for some not so great news:
If you are a member of GPT sites you are probably familiar with Brandarama offers. Well, their company is declaring bankruptcy and will not be paying for any of their offers completed in June and July. Therefore, you should not waste your time completing any offers of theirs from now on!

Thanks to Miss Money Hunter's post for this news.

Well, that's all for now, folks. Just wanted to give these quick updates!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Getting Paid Via Paypal

Lately, I'm just in love with Paypal! It's like an old pair of jeans. You dig into the pockets and discover cash you didn't even know you had. The other day, I logged into Paypal and found that I had $30, which I did not expect. And it's so much more convenient than getting checks in the mail, since you can easily transfer the money right into your bank account without even getting out of your seat!

Now, most of you probably already knew all of this, to some extent. But did you realize how many opportunities there are for you to earn online and have it deposited directly into your Paypal account?

Two survey panels that I was recently paid by are the Zandl Group and Opinion Place. They're a bit different than other survey panels. For one, it seems like almost everyone qualifies for their surveys as they are rather general in nature. Also, you don't have to reach a minimum payout. They pay you after each survey you complete. I should also note that they both paid me really well.

Zandl Group paid me a whopping $10 for a pretty fun survey about my favorite products. It took about 30-45 minutes to complete.

Opinion Place paid me $3 for one survey and $3.75 for another. Each took me about 15-30 minutes to complete.

I highly recommend both panels.

For more Paypal earning opportunities, check my GPT Reviews. All, except Cash Crate pay via Paypal.
Also check out my Paid to Click Reviews.

If you don't already have an account, you can sign up for Paypal here.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Over 70 Ideas for Working at Home!

I just had to make a separate post for this because it's the most comprehensive article I've written on the subject.

See the lens here: Work at Home Ideas

If you find it helpful, please rate it (if you're a member of Squidoo) or spread the word! I really appreciate it!

Basically, this lens discusses various work at home jobs categorized by the personality, skills, and interests that go best with each job. It also lists many ideas for home-based businesses. Additionally, I've included various resources for making these ideas a reality.

It took me almost a week to compile all the information to write this, so it's very detailed. Anyway, I worked really hard on it and I hope you like it!

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Great Survey Panels

Here are some great survey panels that I have not reviewed in detail yet. The following are some of the more well-known and established panels. Not necessarily better than other panels, but I would definitely recommend them.

Despite it's name, the American Consumer Opinion Panel (ACOP) is an international survey and focus group panel. Surveys are not as frequent as other panels, but they offer much higher pay for each survey. Advice: make sure you participate in the screeners they send out. They are not for pay, but they allow you to qualify for the paying surveys.

Pine Cone Research is definitely one of the more "elite" survey panels. They offer higher compensation for your time and frequently offer "paid to try," which is when they mail new products to your home for you to test. However, it's very difficult to get into since they are usually not accepting new members. What you have to do is just keep your eyes open. I just found a link one day on some message board and that's how I joined. It's all about being at the right place at the right time. It's definitely worth it though!

Harris Poll is probably one of the market research companies that's been around the longest. It was even discussed in my Sociology textbook! The surveys are generally pretty short and fun sometimes. However, their compensation is definitely not as high as most other companies. Still, it's a good idea to sign-up because it's not at all time-consuming.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Another Squidoo Post

You know how I said in my last post that I was addicted to Squidoo? Well, the addiction is growing. Already made a total of three lenses! And I put a lot of effort into them so it was quite time-consuming.

So here are my two latest lenses (I've already written about these topics on this blog, but these lenses cover them in much more detail) :
How and Why I Do Paid Surveys
Avoiding Paid Survey Scams

Since I intend to continue making lenses, here's the link to my member profile where you can access all of them (instead of me updating every time I have a new one):
My Squidoo Profile and Lenses

Monday, July 20, 2009

My First Squidoo Lens

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Squidoo, it's an online community where you get paid to produce content, in the form of "lenses". A lens is basically a miniature webpage about any subject you want. But you don't have to have any special skills to create one! All of the coding is done for you, you just have to add content, such as writing and images.

I actually joined awhile ago, but I finally got around to creating my first lens last night! I definitely would have done it sooner if I had known it would be this easy! I'm addicted now! I'm already working on more. It's really fun to play around with all the widgets and special features that they offer. I think I might still do this even if I wasn't getting paid!

Here is my first lens: Work at Home...I Do It!
If you like it please comment and rate it! Thanks :)

Here is the link to start earning yourself: Join Squidoo

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Paid to Post at myLot

On myLot you get paid to post in their forums, where you can talk about anything. It's actually really fun and works a lot like other social networking sites. Why would they pay you to use their site? Well, basically they're paying you to create content. They need content in order to make money, so you are really doing them a favor. Doesn't it sort of make you think that all online communities should be paying you to participate?

How do you earn money on myLot? There are many ways, actually. You get money for each post, as well as every time a person replies to your posts. Therefore, it's a good idea to post quality and thought-provoking content. You can also complete tasks posted by myLot or other members, which generally offer higher amounts of money than posting. Tasks usually involve joining free programs, as another member's referral. Another way to earn us to post original images that you hold the rights to. Lastly, you get paid 25% of the earnings of the people you refer.

When you reach $10, you get paid via Paypal. If you're just posting, this might take a while. But if you take advantage of all that myLot has to offer, then you can make it much quicker.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Paid Surveys for Moms

When it comes to online paid surveys, moms are definitely at an advantage. In addition to the general paid survey panels that are open to everyone, they can also join panels targeted specifically to moms. So whether you want to be a WAHM (work at home mom) or you just want to earn some extra cash, I suggest you take advantage of these opportunities.

Mothers Know Best
The Mom Test
Mom's Mind Pool
Alpha Mom: AM Labs
Raising Kids Panel
Mom Central
Silver Stork Research

Note that moms with infants or younger children will have more opportunities than those with older children.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Kids Paid Surveys

Even if you're under 13, there are still options for you when it comes to making money online. Here are some paid surveys for the younger set. (Note: for most of these you will probably have to either have a parent sign up as the primary user or mail in a signed form of consent.)

KidzEyes (6-12) This panel is run by C&R Research, the same company behind TeensEyes.
Kids Opinions (6-14)
Panel Polls (Nickelodeon Kids Forum) (6-14) (3-5 also allowed under certain conditions)
Weekly Reader Insider- (7-17)
Dubit Informer- Only open to the UK, ages 11 and up

You can also ask a parent if they would like to become a member of other paid survey panels. Every so often they will ask if members would allow their kids to participate in a survey.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The A.W. Surveys Scam

A lot of you are probably already aware of the fraudulent activity at this site. However, due to the large amount of links across the web and people falling for them, I felt it necessary to post this. I also apologize for the length of this post, but you need not read it all unless you still doubt that A.W. Surveys is a scam.

OK the first clue that they are a scam is in the fact that they promise big bucks for each "survey." I tried one for myself, which said it was offering $4. The so-called "survey" in this case was visiting a website and writing two sentences about my first impressions of it. There is no way that any company could afford to pay that much for such a small task.

In case you continue to doubt it's a scam, I'll dig even deeper. If you search the internet, you'll find numerous complaints from survey-takers who have not been paid. Apparently, A.W. Surveys has a habit of canceling accounts as soon as people try to cash out. Also, they have a history of disappearing for periods of time and then coming back.

Now I have a feeling someone's going to read this and say, "But I know someone who got paid." Well, that's their scheme. If you are very, very lucky you will get paid. They randomly choose people to pay in order to hide the fact that they're a scam. But it's a very small ratio compared to all of those who are not paid.

Another tactic that they're using to keep themselves afloat is their referral campaign. I've seen links all of the internet, including on blogs of people that I respect. These people do not realize it's a scam. All they know is that they are promised big bucks for referrals so they'll do anything they can to promote it. Plus, it is impossible to reach payout without referrals since they stop sending surveys after you've reached $20-$30. And you can not cash out until you've made $75.

If you still need further proof (because I've seen these people who have actually gotten paid fight this like crazy) just check out the report of A.W. Surveys at the Better Business Bureau. They gave it a score of an F. The reasons cited being that they are lacking important information, such as background information, a number of complaints filed against them, and failing to respond to the complaints. It also says that the BBB has not been able to contact them or even obtain accurate contact information. The only address they have on file is a P.O. Box.

It should also be noted that, according to GPTBoycott, Aclarn, Inc. (the company behind A.W. Surveys) is also believed to be behind other fraudulent paid surveys sites, such as Survey King and Top Surveys.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Toluna Replaces Your2Cents

News Update: Toluna has now completely replaced the Your2Cents Survey Panel. They've been merging for a while, but the panel has now officially moved over to the Toluna website.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this yet, but it seems like it might be a move in the right direction. The site now has more of a "social media" type feel. You can vote in regular polls for points, as well as participate in other members' polls and create your own (not for points, though).

We'll have to wait and see if anything changes in terms of how well they pay, but I'm thinking it will either stay the same or increase slightly.

Anyone have any feelings/comments about the switch?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

PTC at YouData

I'm not usually a big fan of PTC (Paid to Click) sites. You usually only get fractions of cents for each ad you view. And it takes forever to go through them because you have to wait a certain amount of time before clicking on a new one.

YouData is completely different. I signed up a while ago, but finally got around to using it yesterday. And let me tell you, I am now a HUGE fan! I already got paid $0.76 through Paypal for just 1 minute of my time! That's another great thing: there's no minimum payout! You get paid every Friday. I can't wait to see how much I make when I use it for a whole week.

Now, you might be wondering how they can afford to pay higher than other PTC sites. Well, what's special about YouData is that the ads are targeted to you based on your profile and demographics. That way advertisers aren't wasting their money on random audiences, most of which are totally incompatible with their product/service.

Basically, whether you're a PTC fan or not, I highly suggest you join for some VERY easy money!

Note: You only have to be 13 and over to join!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Teen Paid Surveys

If you're a teen, there are actually more survey panels open to you than you might have thought. It's a great way to earn extra cash for clothes, food, and, let's not forget, saving up for college (sorry to be a downer). Also, some survey sites that are for those 18 and over, will periodically send out surveys for teenagers in the household to fill out. So it might be a good idea to have your parents sign up for some good survey sites. But here are some great sites that you can join even if you're under 18!

TeensEyes
Since this site will probably not be mentioned elsewhere on this blog, I decided to write a short review. I've never personally done any surveys with them, but they are a very well-respected and legitimate company. Their panel is open to teens aged 13-18 and you can make between $2-$20 per survey! Also, the surveys are specifically designed for teens so they are more interesting to you. Note: They will mail a letter to your parents to let them know that you have signed up.

Here are some more sites that are open to you:
Epoll (13+)
Your 2 Cents (13+)
Clear Voice Surveys (13+)
SayNation (13+)
Global Test Market (14+)
Valued Opinions (16+)
Survey Savvy (14+)
ACOP (14+)
Survey Head (14+)
Harris Poll (13+ in US and Canada, 14+ in other countries)

Non-Survey Sites
Cash Crate (13+)
Scour (13+)
YouData (13+)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Get Paid To Search

Scour is a great search engine! I use it all the time now and I don't miss Google one bit. You never realize how many searches you actually make each day until you are getting paid for them. On Scour you get paid in points for each search you make. You can then make more points if you rate and/or comment on the search results. When you get enough points you can cash them in for a Visa giftcard!

At first it might seem like its going to take forever to get enough points, but you'll soon see that they accumulate pretty quickly. Not to mention, Scour likes to give lots of bonuses now and then. And even if it does take you a while to cash out, you're not losing any time or money so it's still free cash!



Earn money with Scour!

Monday, July 6, 2009

HCD Surveys Promotion

Hey all you lovely money-makers! So today I got an email from HCD Survey about a special promotion they have going on. If you sign up using this link and complete your member profile, you'll get a $1 sign-up bonus!
I've already reviewed HCD Surveys in a previous post, but in case you missed it I'll give you the basics. They are different from other panels in that their focus is not so much on consumer research as it is on your views on social and political issues. The surveys are very short and pay very well. They're also quite fun and usually include a video about something that's been a recent hot topic in the media. All you have to do is let them know how you feel about it.
Fast, easy money? Well, that's what this blog is all about isn't it?!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

International Survey Panels

I've noticed that I've been getting a lot of international traffic so I decided to add a list of sites that are open to other countries :) If you know of any more good ones, just let me know and I'll add it.

International Survey Sites
Open to Select Countries

Monday, June 29, 2009

Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost is another one of my favorite survey sites. I just received a check from them for $40. They send quite a lot of surveys and they all pay very well. Once, I even got paid $35 for a single 45 minute survey! It was also really interesting because I got to read an entire movie script before the movie was even made! They have some amazing opportunities here and they are great at compensating you for your time.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

How to Avoid Scams

All the sites I recommend on this blog are legitimate so you should join those first. However, if you are still looking for more sites to join, these are some guidelines to follow with each site you come across.
  • Never pay to join either a survey panel or a site that promises to give you access to a list of survey panels. Basically, just never agree to pay anything.
  • Still, even if you're not paying for surveys, that doesn't mean sites are necessarily legit. They can still scam you out of your time and information (so they can spam you). They can also unfairly make money off of you this way, with payments from advertisers.
  • Never give out your social security number or credit card information. Although there may be some legitimate sites that ask for this, it's really not worth the risk.
  • Always do a quick search on Google of any site you are considering. Check forums, reviews, and general reactions. This does not include testimonials or advertisements, which are probably posted by the company itself.
  • Make sure the company lists legitimate contact information. They should have at least an address and phone number listed.
  • I know it's cliche but if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Use your logic. Payment should be within the same range as other sites, not ridiculously higher. Also, don't trust sites that say something like, "Make $100 a day!"
  • While GPT sites will often pay you a bonus just for signing up, this is unusual for survey panels. If they do give a bonus, it should be relatively low (ie: anything more than $5, and that's pushing it, is probably a scam).
  • If you have any doubts, read the FAQ, Terms and Conditions, Policies, etc. Make sure everything sounds legit and they are not contradicting themselves.
  • If you are still unsure about a site after all of this, contact me. I will do my best to assist you and tell you everything I know about it :)
Note: Please, if you have ever been scammed by any paid survey, GPT, or other method of making money online, let me know through the contact form. I will look into it and post it in the Scam Alert section (with credit to you if you would like). You'll be doing a great favor to others by spreading the word so others won't end up victims as well.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Paid Survey Reviews

I will add more reviews later, but here is a great bunch of recommended sites to join so you can start making money right now!
Say Nation
This site is a bit newer than the rest, but I love it! It’s really easy to reach payout. They do have the option of Paypal too. It’s fairly easy to qualify for surveys and they send a lot of them. But even if you don’t qualify, they still give you 25 points!
HCD Surveys
This site is a bit different because its focus is not on market research so much as surveys on political and social issues. The surveys are very short and usually include a video which you have to watch and move a bar on the bottom of the screen indicating your feelings/opinions during the video. It’s simple, fun, and you are well-compensated for your time.
Lightspeed Panel
This site is really good at sending only the surveys for which you qualify. It’s a piece of cake to reach payout, which includes the option of Paypal.
Clear Voice Surveys
I don’t usually qualify for their surveys, but I’m still able to make payout since they still pay a slightly lesser amount just for attempting a survey! They don’t offer cash, but they do have Amazon gift cards, which are almost as good. And they pay fast. I’ve gotten my Amazon e-card within seconds of requesting it!
Survey Savvy
They do not have nearly as many survey opportunities as the others. But what really makes them stand out is their great referral program and their low payout minimum (only $1)! Tip: Make sure you fill out your member portraits (Survey Savvy's equivalent of member profiles.) You probably won't get any surveys if you don't.
 
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