Taking surveys is a great way to earn some extra cash. There are always companies that want to know what consumers think of their products, and so they are usually willing to pay for those answers. With some platforms, like American Consumer Opinion, you can earn up to $50 for every survey you complete! If you want to share your opinions, make a difference, and make some money, here are some ways to maximize your time, earnings, and fun.

The Do’s

1. Keep Information Up to Date

Whenever you experience changes, such as moving, switching jobs, or changing family status, it’s essential to keep your information on survey sites updated. Survey questions are often tailored to specific demographics such as location, job type, salary, and relationship status. As your life changes, you may fall into different categories and be eligible for more surveys. You may also have new perspectives and ideas that companies will be interested in hearing about. By keeping your information current, you'll have access to more surveys, even potentially higher-paying ones in niche areas.

2. Keep Realistic Expectations

Despite what you read online, taking surveys isn’t a surefire way to earn a fortune. Though you can certainly make a good amount of money taking surveys, it’s usually accrued over time or through a few intensive, long-lasting surveys and polls. There’s rarely any “get rich quick” schemes in survey-taking. If you’re looking to make a lot of money in a side business, survey-taking isn’t the path you should take. However, if you want to have some extra spending cash, then being a member of a survey site is perfect for you!

3. Take Lots of Surveys

It’s not always in your control, but if you have lots of survey opportunities, don’t pass them by! On American Consumer Opinion and most other survey sites, you will always be paid for every survey you finish. Thus, be sure to always finish your surveys and take as many surveys as possible, even if they seem long or boring. Usually, the longer the survey, the better you’re paid!

4. Join Multiple Survey Sites

There are tons of survey sites out there. From American Consumer Opinion to SurveyJunkie and more, there are lots of sites willing to pay you for your opinion. From there, it’s simple math: the more sites you’re a member of, the more surveys you are likely to get. Of course, it’s important to keep your information and answers separate from each site, and ensure that the site doesn’t have any rules against completing other market research while being a member. It’s also important to ensure that you don’t bite off more than you can chew and sign up for too many surveys at once. Use common sense, and make sure to work as much as you want!

The Don'ts

1. Don’t Be Shady

There are some lesser-known technical considerations when participating in surveys. You may not be aware, but survey sites are prime targets of fraudulent activity. To combat this, there are many checks, both manual and automated that check survey responses for fraud. Sometimes, an honest respondent can be singled out by fraud software just because they don’t know that their device is set to trigger fraud flags.

So, what can you do to make sure you’re not flagged?

Make sure your browser is completely up to date and accepts all cookies. Also, keep in mind that you may be flagged if you use Firefox private browsing, cookie blockers, Chrome incognito mode, browser AdBlock, a proxy/anonymous browser or a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

2. Don’t Lie

It might seem tempting to lie occasionally on surveys, but it never pays off in the end. Whether its signing up multiple times in one household, answering questions dishonestly in the hopes of making more money, falsifying information, or anything else, it’s important to remember that it’s not the first time it’s been tried. As such, survey companies are quick to pick up on these sorts of lies, and are quick to shut down the people that make them and bar them from earning anything at all. Thus, it’s always important to be as truthful as possible during surveys. Honesty really is the best policy!

3. Don’t Cheat

Cheating can come in many forms. Sometimes it’s as grand as setting up computer programs to answer surveys for you, and sometimes it’s as simple as rushing quickly through a survey. In any case, it never pays. Because fraud and cheating are big problems in the industry, most survey companies have dedicated teams and high-tech software looking out for precisely these sorts of cheaters. These seek out, find, and ban cheaters to ensure that the panels and surveys remain honest and to make sure that real panelists don’t lose their money to cheaters. Cheating might seem like the quick, easy, and profitable way to go, but it is always quickly found out and shut down.

4. Don’t Get Discouraged

Sometimes, it may seem like surveys never come; an endless stream of screeners, or a complete desert of any questionnaires at all. But it’s important to remember that, like the world, surveys are always changing. New companies are always coming up with new products and services to test out, all for different demographics. The only thing that won’t change is their desire for your thoughts and feelings. So while it might seem like it’s been a while since you received a survey, don’t worry! You’ll get one soon enough, and you’ll be back to getting paid for your opinions!