Making money with online surveys and market research

 

Participating in online surveys is a popular way to earn some extra cash. While it's not a get-rich-quick scheme, it can be a convenient way to supplement your income during your downtime. 

Below is a list of some legitimate survey sites (these can vary depending on where you live) and tips to help you maximize your earnings.

Legitimate Survey Sites

1. Swagbucks

   

Swagbucks offers a variety of ways to earn, including taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and playing games. Points (called SB) can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.

   

Cash out as low as $3 for gift cards; $25 for PayPal.

2. Survey Junkie

 

Survey Junkie focuses primarily on surveys and offers a straightforward platform. Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

Minimum of $5 to cash out via PayPal or gift cards.

3. Pinecone Research

   

Pinecone Research is an exclusive survey panel that often invites members to test products. Surveys pay a flat rate of $3, which is higher than many other sites.

   

Cash out as low as $3 via PayPal, check, or gift cards.

4. Vindale Research

   

Vindale offers paid surveys, but also pays for other activities like reading emails and watching videos. The platform focuses on cash payments.

   

Minimum of $50 to cash out via PayPal.

5. InboxDollars

   

InboxDollars pays you for taking surveys, watching videos, shopping online, and even reading emails. They offer a $5 sign-up bonus.

   

Minimum of $30 to cash out via check or PayPal.

6. Toluna Influencers

   

Toluna provides surveys and product testing opportunities. You earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.

   

Minimum of $10 via PayPal or gift cards.

7. YouGov

   

YouGov is known for its political and public opinion polls, but it also offers surveys on consumer products and services. Points can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

   

Minimum varies by country, but typically around $50.

8. MyPoints

   

MyPoints offers surveys as well as rewards for shopping online, playing games, and watching videos. You earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal.

Cash out as low as $3 for gift cards; $25 for PayPal.

9. PrizeRebel

   

PrizeRebel offers surveys along with other earning opportunities like watching videos and completing offers. They have a tiered membership system that increases earnings potential.

   

Minimum of $5 to cash out via PayPal or gift cards.

10. Ipsos i-Say

    

Ipsos i-Say is a global market research company that offers surveys on a wide range of topics. Points can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.

Minimum varies, but typically around $10.

11. Pureprofile 

Pureprofile offers surveys covering a range of topics and price points and you can get $0.10 even if you don’t qualify for a survey.

Payout: you can get paid out after you reach $20 to either your bank account or PayPal.

Tips for Maximizing Earnings

1. Sign up for multiple sites: Join several survey sites to increase the number of surveys you receive. Some sites may only offer a few surveys per month, so being on multiple platforms can maximize your opportunities.

2. Complete your profile thoroughly: Fill out your profile completely and accurately on each site. This helps you receive surveys that are better suited to your demographics and interests, increasing your chances of qualifying for surveys and your earning potential.

3. Check for surveys regularly: Survey opportunities can fill up quickly, so check your email or the survey site frequently to grab available surveys before they’re gone.

4. Use referral programs: Many survey sites offer referral bonuses. Invite friends or family to join using your referral link to earn extra points or cash.

5. Be honest: Answer surveys honestly and consistently. Sites often have checks in place to detect inconsistent or dishonest answers, which can lead to disqualification or account suspension.

6. Watch for high-paying surveys: Prioritize surveys that offer higher rewards relative to the time required. Some surveys pay much more than others, so focus on these to maximize your earnings.

7. Set up notifications: Enable email or app notifications for new surveys. This ensures you’re among the first to respond, increasing your chances of qualifying.

8. Avoid scams: Stick to well-known, reputable survey sites to avoid scams. If a site asks for an upfront fee or too much personal information, it’s likely a scam.

9. Redeem your rewards promptly: Don’t let your points or earnings accumulate too long on a survey site. Cash out regularly to avoid losing your rewards if a site shuts down or changes its policies.

10. Stay organized: Keep a record of the sites you’ve joined, the surveys you’ve completed, and the payments you’ve received. This helps you track your progress and ensure you’re getting paid correctly.

By using these tips and staying consistent, you can make the most of your time spent on survey sites, turning it into a reliable source of extra income.

Building a YouTube channel with your kids

 

Creating family-friendly content that generates ad revenue and attracts sponsorships can be a rewarding venture, offering opportunities for both financial gain and a positive impact. Here is a rough guide to help you create and monetize your family-friendly content. 

1. Identify Your Niche

Choose a focus area: Identify a specific area within the family-friendly genre that aligns with your passion and expertise. This could be parenting advice, educational content, family travel, kids’ activities, cooking for families, or product reviews.

Research your audience: Understand the demographics, interests, and pain points of your target audience. This will help you tailor content that resonates with them and attracts advertisers and sponsors.

2. Create High-Quality Content

Educational and entertaining: Ensure your content is both educational and entertaining to engage families and keep them coming back.

   

Age-appropriate: Create content that is suitable for the entire family, avoiding topics or language that might be inappropriate for children.

   

Consistent quality: Maintain a high standard in production quality, including clear visuals, good audio, and well-organized content.

   

Regular posting: Develop a content calendar and stick to a consistent posting schedule to build a loyal audience.

3. Build and Grow Your Audience

   

Leverage social media: Use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to reach a wider audience. Tailor your content to each platform’s strengths and audience preferences.

   

Engage with your community: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and create content that addresses your audience’s questions and interests.

Collaborate with other creators: Partner with other family-friendly content creators to cross-promote each other’s content and reach new audiences.

SEO and keywords: Optimise your content for search engines by using relevant keywords, creating compelling titles, and writing descriptive tags and captions.

4. Monetisation Strategies

(check out my full post on this here)

Ad revenue (e.g., YouTube, Blog Ads):

YouTube AdSense: If you’re creating video content, enable monetisation on YouTube to earn ad revenue. Focus on growing your channel to meet YouTube’s Partner Program requirements.

Blog advertising: If you have a family-focused blog, sign up for ad networks like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or AdThrive to place ads on your site.

Affiliate marketing:

Join affiliate programs: Promote products relevant to your audience, such as family gadgets, books, or educational tools, and earn a commission on sales generated through your affiliate links.

Create content around products: Develop honest reviews, tutorials, or listicles featuring affiliate products that your audience would find valuable.

   

Sponsorships and brand partnerships:

     

Reach out to brands: Once you have a solid audience, reach out to family-friendly brands for sponsorship deals. Create a media kit showcasing your audience demographics, engagement metrics, and examples of past successful partnerships.

     

Sponsored content: Offer to create sponsored blog posts, videos, or social media content featuring a brand’s products or services. Ensure the content aligns with your brand and remains authentic.

   

Merchandise:

     

Develop your own products: Create and sell family-oriented merchandise, such as branded clothing, educational materials, or digital downloads.

     

Sell through multiple channels: Use platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or your own website to sell your products.

5. Adhering to Family-Friendly and Ad Guidelines

Follow platform policies: Adhere strictly to the content guidelines of platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook, especially those related to children’s content.

   

Use disclosure and transparency: Always disclose sponsored content and affiliate links to maintain trust with your audience and comply with legal requirements.

   

Avoid controversial topics: Stay away from divisive or controversial topics that could alienate your audience or violate platform rules, leading to demonetization or account penalties.

6. Growing Your Revenue Streams

   

Diversify income sources: Don’t rely on a single income stream. Explore various monetization options, including ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise, to create a stable income.

   

Create a subscription model: Consider offering exclusive content through a subscription model (e.g., Patreon, YouTube Memberships) where loyal followers can support you in exchange for special perks.

   

Host live events: Engage your audience through live webinars, workshops, or Q&A sessions, potentially charging a fee for participation.

7. Analytics and Optimization

   

Track your performance: Use analytics tools to track the performance of your content, including views, engagement, click-through rates, and ad revenue.

   

Optimise based on data: Adjust your content strategy based on what’s working. If certain types of content or topics generate more engagement or revenue, consider focusing more on those areas.

   

A/B testing: Experiment with different content formats, titles, thumbnails, and posting times to see what resonates best with your audience.

8. Legal Considerations

COPPA compliance: If your content is aimed at children under 13, ensure you comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to avoid penalties.

   

Copyright and licensing: Use licensed music, images, and videos, or create your own to avoid copyright infringement issues.

   

Tax considerations: Keep accurate records of your income and expenses related to content creation, and consult a tax professional to understand your obligations.

9. Building a Long-Term Brand

  

Stay authentic: Authenticity is key to building trust with your audience. Focus on creating content that reflects your values and genuinely helps or entertains your viewers.

   

Evolve your content: As your family grows or your audience’s needs change, be willing to evolve your content to stay relevant and continue attracting new followers.

   

Invest in your brand: As your revenue grows, consider investing in better equipment, professional help (like video editors or designers), and marketing to further elevate your content and brand.

By following these steps, you can create engaging, family-friendly content that not only delights your audience but also generates sustainable ad revenue and attracts sponsorships.

Managing debt while maintaining a family budget

Paying off any debt you have while also maintaining a family budget can be challenging, but with careful planning and discipline, it is possible to achieve your financial goals without compromising your family's needs. 

Here is some practical advice to help you manage both your debt and budget.

1. Assess your debt situation

   

Start by listing all your debts, including credit card balances, loans, and any other obligations. Note the interest rates, minimum payments, and total amounts owed. This helps you understand the portion of your income that goes towards debt repayment and can motivate you to improve this ratio over time.

2. Create or reevaluate your family budget

   

Monitor your family’s spending for a month to understand where your money is going. Categorise your expenses into essentials (housing, food, utilities) and non-essentials (entertainment, dining out).

   

Based on your tracked expenses, create a monthly budget that prioritises essential expenses while allocating funds towards debt repayment.

   

Make budgeting a family effort by discussing spending habits and goals, ensuring everyone is on the same page. I have a previous blog post available on how to do this effectively.

3. Prioritise your debts

   

Pay off debts with the highest interest rates first to save money on interest over time. Continue making minimum payments on any other debts.

   

You could also pay off the smallest debts first to gain momentum and motivation, as you can see quick wins while making minimum payments on larger debts.

   

Consider debt consolidation if it allows you to lower your interest rates and simplify payments, but be mindful of any fees or risks involved.

4. Cut unnecessary expenses

   

Look for areas where you can cut back, such as dining out, subscription services, and entertainment. Redirect these funds towards your debt repayment.

   

Call service providers (e.g., internet, insurance) to negotiate lower rates or switch to more affordable plans. Plan meals, use coupons, and buy in bulk to reduce grocery expenses without compromising on quality.

5. Increase your income

   

Consider taking on a side job or freelance work to earn extra income, specifically for debt repayment.

   

Consider selling items you no longer need, such as clothing, electronics, or furniture, to generate extra cash. If possible, have other family members contribute by taking on part-time work or doing odd jobs.

6. Use windfalls wisely

   

Apply any unexpected windfalls, like tax refunds, work bonuses, or gifts, directly to your debt.

   

While paying off debt is important, ensure you have an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses and avoid accumulating new debt.

7. Automate debt payments

   

Automate your minimum payments to avoid late fees and ensure consistency. If possible, automate extra payments on your prioritised debt.

   

Consider setting up your payments in a way that mimics the snowball or avalanche method, automatically directing extra payments to the appropriate debt.

8. Monitor and celebrate progress

   

Use a spreadsheet or a debt repayment app to track your progress so you can see how far you have come. Celebrate small victories, like paying off a credit card or hitting a certain debt reduction target, to stay motivated.

9. Avoid new debt

   

Stick to cash or a debit card for daily expenses to avoid accruing more credit card debt.

   

Build or maintain a small emergency fund (even $500-$1,000) to cover unexpected expenses without relying on credit.

   

Save for major purchases instead of using credit, or if you must finance, ensure the payments fit comfortably within your budget.

10. Seek help if needed

   

If you are struggling to manage your debt, consider seeking advice from a non-profit credit counselling agency. A credit counsellor may help you create a debt management plan, which could reduce interest rates and create a more manageable payment plan. You can also join online forums or local support groups focused on debt repayment for encouragement and advice from others in similar situations.

By following all or some of these steps, you can create a more balanced approach that allows you to pay off your debt while still meeting your family's needs and maintaining a healthy financial lifestyle.