Marketing Research Evolves –
Paid Surveys Come Of Age
By Alex Ruban,
online_surveys_paid@yahoo.com
http://www.onlinesurveyspaid.com
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Up until the 20th century, buying
and selling was simple. Businesses were largely local
which allowed for a close relationship between suppliers
and consumers. Competition was non-existent and the
opinion of consumers was felt to be irrelevant.
The rapid advancements during the
Industrial Revolution quickly changed business operations
from a seller’s market to a buyer’s market. Early
marketing students had been educated as economists,
schooled in the principle that demand was relevant
to purchasing power. However, it became apparent that
demand was much more complex than the financial ability
to buy and that desire had become a factor in business.
New concepts in advertising proved
that purchasing desires could be magnified and shaped
by elements beyond mere availability of products.
Extended markets allowed greater production of goods
and transportation options quickly taught businesses
that they needed to know specifics about customers
to be able to compete.
With the modern marketplace being
fiercely competitive, companies today have a greater
demand than ever to monitor the pulse of consumers.
However, the busy lifestyles of consumers in general
made it more difficult for companies to engage people
in telephone and direct mail surveys. Consumers perceived
that they were being given a sales-pitch versus participating
in independent research. And who has time for that?
The Internet age introduced easy access
to consumers for marketing researchers. They could
reach both general consumers and business consumers
easily by posting their surveys online; however, there
was still the issue of enticing people to take the
time to participate.
Over the years, consumer science and
market research have evolved collectively into a finely-honed
craft. Companies spend over $250B globally in an effort
to convince people to buy their products and services.
Of that amount, over $750M goes for market research
alone.
Being the savvy bunch that they are,
marketing researchers finally grasped the concept
of offering consumers something of value in return
for their time and participation versus asking people
to participate just for the sake of offering their
opinions to help businesses in tailoring their products
and services. To meet their own ever increasing demands
for consumer information they began offering various
incentives in exchange for time.
Consumer survey incentives range from
entry into drawings for cash prices, points awards
that can be accumulated and redeemed for merchandise
and even cash payments to participants. Specialized
surveys for professionals such as those in the IT
industry often pay quite well. Researchers also pay
consumers to participate in customized studies through
which they can learn about their perceptions of specific
products and/or services.
In addition to paid incentives, some
marketing research companies offer people free products
for sampling. They forward new products to consumers
to try with the agreement that the consumer will later
provide an assessment of the product. After trying
the product, consumers complete an online survey sharing
their experience with the product and indicating whether
or not they would buy it on their own. Test products
can range anywhere from household cleaners, snack
foods, health/beauty products and all the way up to
electronics. In many cases, participants are allowed
to keep the products at no charge.
By taking advantage of paid market
research offers, consumers can actually earn a part-time
or even full-time income, depending upon the amount
of time they invest and the number of research panels
in which they participate. This has proven a productive
source of supplemental income for stay-at-home moms,
small business owners, retirees and college students.
Simply by signing up at paid survey web sites and
checking their e-mail for survey invitations, they
can earn extra cash and incentives on a regular basis.
Another advantage of earning extra
cash by joining Internet-based research panels is
convenience. Participants can respond to survey invitations
24/7 which is much easier than trying to work a second
or part-time job.
Market researchers also know that
small businesses are the pulse of the American economy.
With the emphasis in today’s markets having shifted
primarily from that of products to the service industry,
researchers always have a demand for opinions and
details of purchasing practices of small business
owners.
Small business owners and work-from-home
professionals can have a significant impact and can
shape the quality of products and services available
to them by participating in online surveys. This allows
them to tell companies exactly what instead of hoping
that someone out there will finally deliver what they
need.
Plus, they will be rewarded for the
time they invest. The concept of paid surveys makes
it a win/win situation for both sides. Be aware that
the market research profession is largely legitimate
but there are some Internet sites that are a scam.
Never pay a sign-up fee for receiving information
about available surveys.
A complete list of reputable marketing
research organizations that seek the opinion of consumers
and values the time they spend on surveys is available
for review at http://www.onlinesurveyspaid.com.
This site features a diverse selection of both national
and international research organizations that are
actively seeking new members to join their panels.
Remember that you have something market
researchers value: your experience and opinions as
a consumer. Use that information to negotiate participation
in research surveys and you will enhance your lifestyle
and income.
© 2005, Free Paid Surveys
Online Directory. Reprint rights granted so long as
article and by-line are printed intact and all links
made live.
Alex Ruban
has been the owner and editor of Online
Surveys Paid since March, 2003. His site
provides information about hundreds of free legitimate
paid online surveys, polls, and focus group providers
along with detailed reviews, descriptions of each
program, paid survey guidelines and useful tips.
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