Earning income, whether it is “passive” or not, requires effort. You need to put in some initial effort before you can start earning money, whether it is through a side gig or through passive income.
That said, the amount of work you have to put in will vary depending on the type of income stream you choose. For instance, some people make extra money by taking consumer surveys via apps or online platforms.
This method typically doesn’t yield as much money as other income streams. However, it is a very easy way to make a little more cash during your free time. That’s because these surveys often don’t require much attention. Although you want to fill them out honestly and thoroughly, in many cases, you can complete them while watching TV.
This guide will cover some of the more popular apps and platforms you might consider using if this idea appeals to you. They include:
Survey Junkie
Although anyone can use Survey Junkie, its creators target millennials in particular by comparing consumer surveys to social media influencer culture. Survey Junkie’s creators assert that users are essentially becoming influencers by offering their opinions on products and services.
It’s worth noting that some online survey platforms won’t award users any earnings if they don’t qualify for a particular survey. That’s not the case with Survey Junkie. Whether your answers qualify or not, you’ll still earn at least some “points” for completing a survey.
It’s important to understand the difference between points and cash, however. Survey Junkie doesn’t immediately allow users to earn cash. Instead, when you complete a survey, you get a certain amount of points. You can only redeem those points for cash once you accumulate $10 worth. Luckily, many users find this doesn’t take very long, and even claim you can earn up to $200 a month if you use Survey Junkie consistently.
Swagbucks
Swagbucks (which you can access both online and via an app) is one of the most popular online survey platforms. Unfortunately, unlike Survey Junkie, if your first few answers to a survey indicate you don’t qualify, you won’t be eligible for any rewards for that survey.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t consider Swagbucks if you’re trying to earn a little income on the side. Swagbucks compensates for this drawback by letting users earn money in a variety of ways.
Along with taking surveys, you can potentially earn money by playing video games, watching videos, or even simply signing up for email newsletters in some cases. This flexibility is one of the key reasons Swagbucks has remained popular for years.
Pinecone Research
Companies are willing to pay people to take surveys because they value consumer opinions. They want to know how customers feel about their products and services.
That means there are some instances when companies will provide consumers with free products in exchange for their opinions. You might want to look into Pinecone Research if you’d like to receive some of these free offerings from time to time.
Keep in mind that not all Pinecone Research surveys involve testing free products. However, if you use the platform often enough, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually be asked to participate in these types of surveys occasionally.
Just keep in mind that reviews indicate the app version of Pinecone Research isn’t very user-friendly. Most users prefer to access Pinecone Research online instead.
Shopkick
Using Shopkick doesn’t actually involve merely taking surveys in most instances (although that is an occasional option). Instead, you have the potential to earn extra goodies by doing something you may already do on a fairly regular basis: shopping.
When you go to certain stores, you can scan the barcodes of various items, then answer questions about your experience in the store. Shopkick won’t technically offer you cash for your participation. However, it will offer such rewards as Amazon gift cards, which many people consider to be just as good as cash anyway.
Prize Rebel
Prize Rebel is an option worth considering if you’d like to exercise some control over the types of rewards you earn for taking surveys. While you can simply choose to earn direct payments to your bank account, you can also choose alternative rewards, such as gift cards for a variety of retailers. The fact that it’s also a basic survey site means you don’t have to do anything other than sit in front of your computer and answer questions.
Surveys on the Go
If Prize Rebel appeals to those who want to control what types of rewards they receive, Surveys on the Go may appeal to people who want to control what types of surveys they take. Surveys are separated into such categories as business, entertainment, sports, and other popular topics. You can choose which categories most interest you when signing up. This ensures the platform is more likely to send you surveys for which you qualify.
Again, you can’t earn a substantial income by taking online surveys, but what money you do earn will take minimal effort. These are merely a few options to consider if that’s something you’d like to do.