Survey Scamming

I try my best to keep a positive spin on this blog, pointing out to people what works. However, on occasion I have to speak out against what does not work. Recently, "survey opportunities" offering $34.00, $37.00, $69.00 or $83.00 per hour earnings have been creeping through the internet search engines. There are legitimate survey companies that I mention in this blog, but these are NOT survey companies.

I checked out four, of them. Three were connected to Clickbank, an internet CPA Network advertising broker. This was evidenced by showing their Clickbank earnings copy and posted to the website. This is not to say that you could not earn an income using Clickbank, many people do, but you have to understand the industry.

People looking for survey work do not understand the industry.

Another, "survey opportunity" I checked out cost me $34.00. It also came via Clickbank, but had nothing to do with surveys. After paying PayPal account, there was no response. I was wondering what happened. Then ten days later, I received something in the mail. It was called "Data Reporting System:" two pocket size, 10 page reports. The opportunity reads as follows: "Your involvement is simple: As one of my Referrals....who will contributeto the marketing dollars required to distribute via Direct Mail as many Sweepstakes Sales Pieces as possible."
The booklets cost $2.00 each plus mailing (probably 50 cents to produce) and sold for $24.95.
And there are 20 different types of booklets that can be "designed especially for you."
What a Scam. What a total ripoff!

Clickbank should be checking out its advertisers more carefully.

RULE OF THUMB. If it sound too good to be true, it deserves lots of caution. Taking serveys is a legitimate way to earn grocery or rent money. But very few will make (sporadically) more than $25.00 an hour.

In my blog from June 16, 2009 titled "Working on Line," I mentioned three survey companies that are legitimate: Survey Club, Canadian Surveys, and Make More Money Online Taking Surveys. The first two are sign-ups. The advertisers pay them to pay you. The last charges a $68.00 fee, but promises higher pay $30.00 or more per hour.

There are many good, honest, legitimate survey companies out there. They work for Fortune 500 companies to get your demographic opinion on products. Most surveys will pay you $5.00 to $10.00 per survey, sometimes more. GOOD LUCK.

Elance, The Freelance Workers Dream

Do you know how to write? Design web pages? Program? Many opportunities are listed for work through www.elance.com In the last 30 days Elance has posted over 25,000 jobs. Over $200,000,000.00 has been paid out in the last year for freelance writing, programming, legal agreements, and website designing.

If you have a writing or technical skill Elance is looking for you. If you are knowledgable in a specific area or areas, Elance needs you. Elance can not keep up with all their postings, which have been exploding as more and more people are relying on the internet for their livlihood. Social relevancy and Google have increased the need for article and blog writing. Website design, html, php, and Search Engine Optimization knowledge are in high demand.

Check out www.Elance.com Go to Providers, check out Provider Services, take the tour, examine the guide and FAQs. Find a job that you can do and sign up as a provider.

Searching For Work Online

Most people who are familiar with an online job search will start with www.Monster.com. Certainly Monster is the largest and best known of the civilian job search sites. Most major corporations will pay to post new positions. Monster is geared primarily toward those with a four year college degree or more. If you are a professional www.Monster.com is the place to list your profile and resume.

For the average person, there are many local, community websites. Most ABC, CBS,NBC network TV stations and local newspapers will regularly announce and publicize these websites.

Another great source for work is www.jobsearch.about.com/workfromhomejobs This website will provide legitimate work form home job information. It will also link to a number of current articles
and offer sponsored links for further research.