Survival Guide to Online Surveys

 I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a Top 20 list, so here it is! I’ve incorporated the favorites of our readers as well. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

1) Pinecone Research: This site is consistently in the top 10 of the best surveys sites. Pays by check or Paypal…read more

2) Survey Saavy: One of the best all around survey sites. Pays money earned by check…read more

3) Opinion Outpost: Reliable site that pays $1 for every 10 points by check or Paypal…read more

4) Postmaster Direct/ My View: Earn points for each survey, 1 point=$1. Great site that pays cash by check…read more

5) American Consumer Opinion: cash award for completed surveys from $4 to $50…read more

6) Global Test Market: Another survey site that shows up in any top 10 list. Points=cash…read more

7) Surveys.com: cash rewards for every survey by Paypal…read more

8  Esearch: cash payments by Paypal…read more

9) Your2Cents: Payment is by check with no minimum balance to request your money…read more

10) Synovate: Top survey site that pays cash for points earned…read more

11) Clear Voice: Pays cash by Payoneer, or prepaid debit card…read more

12) NFO/My Surveys: Request a check after earning 1000 points, 100 points=$1…read more

13)Lightspeed Panel:Earn points (1150 points=$10) for cash with payment by Paypal…read more

14) Survey Spot:…cash for surveys taken or sweepstakes and drawings, pays by check…read more

15) Greenfield Online: surveys pay from $1 to $10 dollars by Paypal…read more

16) Harris Poll Online: points for gifts or gift certificates…read more

17)Ipsos-I-say: surveys for cash, sweepstakes or drawings…read more

18) E-Poll: pays by points which can be redeemed for gift cards at various locations…read more

19) Valued Opinions: surveys pay between $2 and $6 to be redeemed by gift card…read more

20) Zoom Panel: earn points for gifts and prizes…read more

Don’t miss out on any survey info! Put you email address in the box to the right to get each post delivered to you by email!

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 I’ve finally completed my top 12 list of online paid survey sites. It has taken months of research and above all, many, many hours of taking surveys from countless sites. There were times that I wanted to jump from the nearest tall building (some of the sites not listed here would drive anyone to distraction!) But I persevered. I have listed each of them, but click on the “read more” link to go to my actual review for more in-depth information. I’d love for each of you to leave a comment, listing your 5 favorite survey sites and I’ll publish the results!

1) Pinecone Research: This site is consistently in the top 10 of the best surveys sites. Pays by check or Paypal…read more

2) Survey Saavy: One of the best all around survey sites. Pays money earned by check…read more

3) Opinion Outpost: Reliable site that pays $1 for every 10 points by check or Paypal…read more

4) Postmaster Direct/ My View: Earn points for each survey, 1 point=$1. Great site that pays cash by check…read more

5) American Consumer Opinion: cash award for completed surveys from $4 to $50…read more

6) Global Test Market: Another survey site that shows up in any top 10 list. Points=cash…read more

7) Surveys.com: cash rewards for every survey by Paypal…read more

8  Esearch: cash payments by Paypal…read more

9) Your2Cents: Payment is by check with no minimum balance to request your money…read more

10) Synovate: Top survey site that pays cash for points earned…read more

11) Clear Voice: Pays cash by Payoneer, or prepaid debit card…read more

12) NFO/My Surveys: Request a check after earning 1000 points, 100 points=$1…read more

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Maybe being a born again non-smoker has stirred these long suppressed feelings. Come to think of it, I’ve never had these feelings, ever.  But  I am on a cleaning spree and in a BIG way. I’ve cleaned out from under beds, the closets, drawers…it’s amazing. I think I found about $100 in change under the sofa cushions in my son’s room. I’ve found things I thought were long gone, a watch, a favorite pair of shoes, Sylvester, the iguana (ok, no pets, but it could happen). The closet in the hall has always been referred to as “the Bermuda Triangle”, what goes in is never to be seen again, but no more….I’m on a roll!

I was so excited when I saw the Wine survey in my inbox today from Yourfreesurveys.com.  Finally a subject close to my heart. I’ve taken so many surveys lately that I’m on overload with the questions about finances, ugh… and insurance…oh my…but anyway, it was a fun survey to take, and I do know a little about wine. Mostly, now that it’s been deemed a health food (drink) by the powers that be, I’m all about getting my daily requirement in! On top of that, it put $8 in my account. Can’t beat it.

My View is another one of my favorites. It’s not open to everyone, if you try to join, they will tell you it’s by invitation only. They send 2 to 3 surveys a week and they are very well laid out. You’ll know in the beginning if you are disqualified or not. They pay with My View points, which believe it or not is 1 point = $1! What a novel idea! You don’t have to earn 6000 points to get a dollar! It takes about 8 weeks for payment to go through after you put in your request (when your account reaches $25).

I took a survey from My View today that was about a local restaurant, asking opinions on new items, etc. I was disqualified when they gave a list of cities and asked in which city I lived. I’m from a smaller town outside of one of those bigger cities, so I checked the “none” box and was exited from the survey. But they offered another immediately and I qualified. They asked questions about movie commercials during the Super Bowl.

Sign up is easy, a short survey to get started, then on to the member page where you’ll find a list of available opinion surveys. Below that, you’ll find about 15 personality profiles that you can take which will give them a better idea of which surveys to offer you. It’s time consuming, but necessary!

I’ll leave you this political tutorial in this the week of Super Tuesday results.

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It’s been a few weeks now since I’ve been a smoker (with the occasional 2 puff lapse here and there).  I do feel better, no triathlons just yet, but give me time. My house doesn’t smell like a 3 day old grease fire anymore, and after about $150 at the dry cleaners, my clothes don’t either. So, I’m supposed to be all happy and proud of myself for kicking a 30 year habit…oh, I’m proud…just not all that happy yet. Instead of smoking, I’m eating everything in sight, and for a “slender all of her life” chick, that’s a new one. Don’t be surprised to see me on next season’s “Biggest Loser”, if I can’t get a handle on this hand to mouth disease. I’m also still really, really jumpy…thank goodness my kids are off at school…

I’m going to talk about E-Poll today. I joined a couple of months ago and I’m going to give it my “shrug” rating (you’ll have to get a visual of me lifting my shoulders here). It’s a good site in a lot of ways, it’s just not one of my favorite ones. The surveys they send are easy to take, mostly about media and entertainment. I got about one a week in the beginning, and now I’m getting about 2. I love the surveys and the site layout, and they do send you your “payment” in a timely manner when you’ve earned enough points to cash out.

The drawback for me is that it takes a long time to get to the point of cash out. At E-Poll,  generally earn 500 to 3000 points per survey completed. You are sent to the Rewards store where you can add your points to any number of charities (if you wish) or gift cards at various stores: Amazon, Home Depot, etc. It takes 3500 points for a $5 gift card, 6750 for a $10 card, on up to 17,250 for a $30 one.

I’m the queen of instant gratification, but I’ve heard (and read) lots of positive feedback about the site, so I’m going with the “shrug” review until further notice. Once I figure out how to do it, I’ll make a video and do a shadow puppet shrug like this one!

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You’ve probably noticed a few changes on our Blog in the last few days. We are trying to add some bells and whisltes so that you can get more out of the experience. Reading about survey sites, although informative, can be downright dry and boring. So…I’m adding some pictures and videos that I like, hopefully to bring a smile to your face as you learn about this process. My goal for today is to be as happy as this baby is!

I’ll be discussing Lightspeed today, so far so good! I joined several months ago, and I have mostly positive impressions to this point.

I was delighted to hear from Rebecca on my Good, Bad and ugly post from yesterday, about her  good experiences with mindfield. Thanks, Rebecca! I hope to get lots of feedback going forward. I will admit that my first experience with mindfield (which was an offer) turned me off, and I may have given up too soon.

BTW, I said my goal was to be like that laughing baby, the reality is this:

Lightspeed has a well laid out member page, with easy access to information. You’ll be able to check on available surveys, your account information etc. with just a click. They pay with a point system (75 to 1000 points per survey) with 1150 points = $10. They are very upfront about what you will receive in terms of rewards.

I have gotten several surveys a week from the beginning. I haven’t qualified for all of them, but I have accumulated about 1500 points so far without spending too much time on it.

As on many of the survey sites, you’ll find member profiles to take so that they can better match you up with available surveys. It’s important to take those to get your demographics in the system. You’ll find a column for Current surveys, which pays point, and mini-polls and quick match surveys, which enter you into a sweepstakes. You can pick and choose what you want to do.

Don’t give up, here’s a little inspiration for ya! Dancing on out..

I’ve updated this review. You’ll find the the most up-to-date information about lightspeed here in a blog post June 2010.

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