One Extra Money Blog Reader’s First PayCheck
Today I want to share an email I received from Sandra a couple weeks back. Sandra is an Extra Money Blog reader who emailed me with the following message:
Hi Sunil;
I just wanted to send you copy of my first check doing surveys, now to apply everything that you had taught us. Thanks for everything you do.
Thank you,
Sandra XXXXXXX
XXX-XXX-XXXX
Note: Last Name and Phone Number blurred for Privacy. Click on the check image to enlarge)
I am able to share this email and check image with you thanks to Sandra’s permission. When I first started in internet marketing, I was constantly exposed to bloggers and marketers touting how much they make online, but eventually that gets a bit old.
What helps sometimes is to see others (the average reader) able to replicate the success and share it to inspire others who are aiming to achieve the same. The message here is that if I can, so can Sandra, and if Sandra can so can anyone else. I hope Sandra’s email has satisfied some of that today.
If you are wondering how Sandra was able to make her first $50, she signed up with Vindale, a reputable New York based market research company that pays people for testing various products and services (you get to keep the products at the end of the test). They also offer surveys and focus groups both locally in your area as well as over the phone.
I’ve made a significant amount of money with Vindale over the years, initially as a participant and more recently as a lead generator to their program. Vindale rewards me with $5 each time I successfully refer a candidate. You can read my full review of Vindale here.
I’ve said this before but it’s worth repeating. You can make some good money with get paid to companies such as Vindale, but the real money can be made by leveraging your web presence. I used to participate in Vindale’s offers, but over time referring others have become more lucrative for me as my web presence has grown over time.
Similarly, there are other such “Get Paid To” companies that I promote on some of my niche sites. CashCrate is another good example. You can see a list of these companies here. These companies collectively are responsible for generating a few thousand dollars for me each and every month.
If you are interested in reading more about this method of making money online, I recommend you read my article on how to make money with paid surveys. You can also read other relevant articles here.
Sandra, thank you for sharing your success with us and I wish you more continued success in the future.
Readers: It is often said that seeing is believing, and that is why social proof works so well. Do sharing examples like Sandra’s provide you more inspiration? Does it instill belief in you that “it can be done”?
Sunil
Inspired
Next: Learn to Say No to Monkeys to Get Ahead Financially in Life
17 Responses to “One Extra Money Blog Reader’s First PayCheck”
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Making money online, the blogs that I come across lately tell opposite sides of the stick. On one extreme, they brag about how easy it is to make thousands of dollars. On the other hand, some blogs humbly admit how difficult it can get.
What’s your opinion on this?
Jim – there are quick ways to make money online, and there are more challenging ways as well. The quick ways are limited in what they have to offer, whereas the long term methods are more rewarding. Nothing surprising is it?
The important thing to remember is that one can make money online, and one can make very good money provided the approach is prudent. If you want thousands of dollars, the methods are certainly simple, and can make you “rich” relatively quicker to the alternative, but none are easy by any means.
If you want a $50 paycheck from taking surveys like the one displayed in this post, you can likely achieve that relatively easily within 2-4 weeks.
Great question – I will shed more light on this topic in a future post.
Hi Sunil,
I have done several of the survey companies online and found that mostly the rewards were small. I will definitely check your lists. I believe that blogging is a special talent and like other talents we are not all gifted. But as you said there is money to be made out there. A little luck, a little work and presto — a pay check! Thanks for sharing the list of companies.
Welcome Ann and thanks for your comments. Let me know how your experience goes, or if you need any help/clarification.
Hi Sunil,
Thanks so much. I do just that! I appreciate your interest and help. I’ll be reading you often!!
Hello Jim and Sunil,
In my little experience as a blogger and online money makers i found plenty scams since the HYIP era until now. Vindale seems like a legit service and once i will try it i will make a review for it.
Welcome to the blog Radu. There will always be scams as long as there will be a desire and opportunities to make money. Have a look at this for a review of Vindale: http://easyextramoneyonline.com/paid-surveys-2.html
That is a great story. I think the first check I got online was $4.75 for Yahoo advertising on an old GeoCities site I had built in high school. Things have changed since my GeoCities days, but I will never forget what it felt like making my first dollar online.
I do remember those days. Many lost a ton of work (and all the hours they invested) when the geo and angel sites folded. Another reason not to rely on third party platforms. But to your point – the first one is certainly memorable.
I love seeing examples. Real life examples are important for everyone to be able to compare, contrast, and make better financial decisions going forward. It is said money is such a taboo subject most of the time.
Welcome to the blog KC – No taboos here. We will discuss everything 🙂 What’s on your mind?
Completing online surveys can be a great way to earn some extra money as long as you join legitimate companies. Just keep a look out of scams out there waiting to rip you off. If a survey company asks for some registration or member’s fee, stay away. Never pay someone to go to work for them.
Welcome to the blog Dan. I agree. In fact, I would say to steer away from those that ask for credit card info as well. That said, some that do ask for that info are very much legitimate, but I only recommend you pursue those if you are well disciplined (need to stay current with cancelling paid offers timely before the credit card gets whacked).
Hi sunil, I can never find these types of companies in the UK, do you know if any? Every one I come across seems to be either low returns, or long waiting periods for pay out.
Hi Frank, most, if not all, survey companies are low returns and long waiting. It’s just the nature of the “game”.
Have a look at this list for UK companies: http://easyextramoneyonline.com/paid-surveys-for-uk-residents.html
Let me know about your experience. All the best
In the past, I have had some success with Surveys. At first, the few dollars that do come in do not seem like that much. but over a years time, it does add up.
Well said Lisa. It can be rather discouraging initially, but adding referrals certainly do wonders for this income stream.