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DALLAS, May 26, 2006 -- Over the last three months, I have spent hours taking on-line surveys. I began this project for two reasons: to investigate the viability of actually making some money and so that I could become somewhat of an authority on this type of home business.

I began by searching the internet for keywords such as "get paid to take surveys, online surveys, home based businesses", and so on. I quickly discovered that there are literally hundreds of choices. There are services that sell you lists of company web sites who will pay you cash and other types of compensation if you will answer their questionnaires. There are supposedly free lists and every other source that you can imagine.

Since my time is valuable, and after trying to "go it alone", so to speak to work through the free lists, I opted to join a service. The sign-up was rather simple and for my $34.95 I received a huge database of links and descriptions broken down by how I would be compensated from each of the companies listed. Some offer cash, some offer prizes,some a combination of both and many enter you in their monthly drawing for cash.

So, armed with my list I began signing up with every company who offered cash and began to take surveys in anticipation of having those checks showing up in the mailbox. I must admit that it is rather easy work but it can be somewhat time consuming. I set a goal of 5 surveys per evening. At first it took a little getting used to the various sites and trying to navigate the signup process in order to get to the actual business at hand, but I quickly mastered all of the fine print and details and was off. Again, my goal was 5 surveys per day.

After about a week, I began to wonder what all of the fuss was about . I would get an occasional e-mail from one of the companies but nothing spectacular. I was filling out forms left and right, rating everything from candy bars to dish liquid but had not really made a dime. I had many promises of samples of toothpaste and shaving cream and chewing gum and had been entered in countless, "monthly drawings for cash", but still no hundreds and twenties in the mail.

Still on my 5 per day schedule after two weeks, and then something happened, My e-mail volume began to pick up considerably. I would faithfully respond to each one by accepting their offer to take another survey. Day after day the e-mail kept rolling in until I was receiving anywhere from 15-20 per day. At this point, I had to make the choice to call it quits or double my efforts just to keep up with all of the survey requests. I, being both curious and motivated by greed charged ahead.

Soon, the samples and free merchandise began to arrive, but still no cash. However, that did not deter me because I have been able to sell many of the gift cards, and various other prizes on ebay. Talk about 100% profit. I am now getting more offers that I can accommodate. I have several offers per week to be a secret shopper which pays $75.00-$100.00 per job. I have also been able to attend several focus groups around the Dallas-Ft. Worth area which pay in the neighborhood of $200.00 per day. This is admittedly not going to make me wealthy but in the short time that I have been at it I have been able to make a house payment.

To sum up my experience, I had planned to quit this project when my research was completed, but I have had so much fun giving my two cents worth to big brother that it is hard to quit. The momentum is still building and some actual cash payments have begun to arrive. My daughter has begun to take some of the load off by taking about 5 surveys for me each day. Would I recommend this as a career? I would have to say no as a stand alone venture. As a supplemental income I would have to say that I would. The interesting thing is that it continues to grow and has presented some opportunities for other related income streams that I could have never anticipated.

I have shared my experience for those considering giving this a try. On our web site I have listed and compared 3 different services that I have used during this project. They all have their pros and cons but for the most part, I have found them all to be quite similar and each will do the job for you. Personally, I am fond of Survey Scout since that was the first service that I tried.

Good fortune, don't give up and thank you for visiting eBooks and eBusinesses.

Media Contact:

Tara Kane Elson and Associates

Article Source: http://wah-articles.work-from-home-directory.com/

About the Author

Tara kane is the managing Partner and media Coordinator for Elson and Associates; A Dallas, Texas Consulting and Marketing Firm.