INTERNET JOBS - MYTH vs. REALITY. PART - 1: PAID SURVEYS

In the first place, is there really any such thing as an "Internet Job"? Legally valid, trustworthy, following established business models and recognized by Governments and statutory bodies? The answer is Yes. The main categories at the time of writing this Post are: PAID SURVEYS, AFFILIATE MARKETING (EARNING COMMISSION INCOME FROM ONLINE SALES), ARTICLE WRITING, FOREX TRADING & ONLINE STOCK TRADING.  Unfortunately, in the Internet jungle, they are mixed up with a lot of fake jobs that pose to be genuine. You need to learn how to make out the genuine jobs from the fake ones.  

There are some myths about Internet jobs too that have become popular these days that need to be busted so that job seekers can proceed with goals that they can really expect to achieve while escaping the pitfalls.

I've personally tried my hands at various Internet jobs for quite some time in the past and here's what I learned:

Internet jobs have some unique advantages. One big advantage is that in several cases, you can start with ZERO investment. Another advantage is that you can start immediately. TODAY if you wish! The minimum requirement is a computer or mobile phone with access to the Internet.  You also need to be fluent in one or more languages (English is preferable but NOT A MUST), an adult (over the age of 18) and have basic educational qualifications (I would say, a +2 pass or higher).  You will also need an email account.

Myths about Internet jobs are discussed below:

1.   Getting rich overnight is a HUGE MYTH.

2.  Expecting to earn immediately is also a DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING MYTH - it takes a lead-time of 1-6 months after joining an "Internet Job" before you can expect to receive your first 'pay'.

3.    Expecting fabulous incomes like ₹30,000/= per month and above is a third GLOSSY BUT SENSELESS MYTH - I think it would be fair to expect ₹2000/= - 3000/= per month if you work hard (there are serious skill and other requirements to be met before one can expect to earn higher incomes). 

But there are people out there on the Internet and other media that would have you believe quite the opposite. They tell you that they know hidden secrets and will show you how to unlock your way into overnight riches. Give them a ear and they'll tell you even more alluring things and personal "testimonies" - How Mrs. Sharmila Rajan, for example, started earning ₹50,000/= a month, after joining them, doing just 2 hours data-entry work from her home PC! Or how Dilip Pawar, a jobless, highly frustrated engineer from Delhi, on the brink of financial breakdown saw their ad, joined them and hey presto! two months later is earning ₹80,000/= per month. He is into online selling, earning handsome commissions and the sky is the limit as regards his future income. He simply can't believe the miracle that has happened to him! He is so pleased with his present position that he scorns the idea of looking for a 'job' - because jobs give you just a measly, fixed income and you can't ever become rich by doing any job, particularly if you are in India.

All this and more, accompanied by smiling photos of these 'successful' folks, photocopies of their bank passbooks, pics of their office rooms and so on as 'proof'.

Quite plainly, these ads are false and misleading. Those who insert them target the gullible, those new to high-tech, Internet and computers and in particular, educated, unemployed people (both fresh college graduates as well as those who have lost jobs) whom they well know, being a highly frustrated and troubled lot will fall for anything that looks possible. Once they have made you dream enough into your future success, and you believe you are 'convinced', you are hooked! You click the ACCEPT button and in exchange for a 'small', one-time fee (typically around ₹500/=, which they make it very easy for you to pay online!) they begin to share their 'secrets' with you. But wait, it's only after you also sign an online legal disclaimer that frees them from all later consequences!

Proceed on the chartered path and you'll soon meet the grim face of reality. Sure, your benefactors have introduced you to valid income earning opportunities. But you'll discover that it isn't really a stairway to heaven that they just sold you. It's a paltry 'dal-and-roti' kind of deal that they've left you with. You cannot expect a daily or regular income. Your first 'pay' comes months later and when you get it, it looks like the pocket money you got from your parents during your student days!

So be wise and save yourself the mental torture as well as your precious money!

The bottom line?

1. Be wary about Internet Job advertisements and invitations. Do not join if you have to pay any kind of fee, even if it is in the form of postage stamps or International Reply Coupons (IRCs).
2. If they dangle 'freebies' before you, while you're taking a look at their offerings, look the other way! They may not be worth anything at all.
3. Don't expect to soar to riches doing Internet jobs. Rather look at earning about ₹2000/= per month and that too, after a lead-time of 1-6 months ie. after starting on a job, allow for 1-6 months before expecting your first 'pay'.

I'll now discuss the Internet Jobs that I mentioned above, one by one viz. PAID SURVEYS, - AFFILIATE MARKETING (EARNING COMMISSION INCOME FROM ONLINE SALES), ARTICLE WRITING, FOREX TRADING & ONLINE STOCK TRADING. If you look carefully, you will find that these are the very ones that Internet Job advertisers remix, call by other names etc. and sell to you. As it's going to be too huge to fit all into one single Blogger Post, I will be creating several posts - one each for each job category! Please read each one, based on your interests. The remaining part of this Post deals with Paid Surveys only.

PAID SURVEYS

Internet surveys are conducted by Market Research (MR) companies, who in turn, are hired by manufacturers of products and services from all over the globe. These companies hire MR firms to obtain various kinds of market information in order to give suitable names, prices, incentives etc. to new products/services OR to boost sales of existing ones.

This is a legally valid, honest Internet job (not one, for example, that engages in gambling and cheating to earn revenues) and you can expect to be paid for your work, provided the MR Company you sign up with is trustworthy.

Let me make it clear at this point that one’s background is no restriction or limitation, whatever, to being eligible to take survey jobs. You just need to be thorough or passionate about some area in life to be a good survey respondent. To explain, take the case of the modest housewife. Her opinions are of the highest value to companies conducting surveys related to household gadgets (washing machines, grinders, juicers, mixers, coffee filters, sewing machines etc.) kitchen appliances (electric chimneys, pressure cookers, rice cookers, non-stick cookware, crockery, cutlery etc.) household items such as detergents, bathing and washing soaps, first-aid medicines, food items, milk, dairy products, vegetables, fish, meat etc.

TRIED & TESTED

Here are some MR companies that I have been a panelist with at some point of time. They have actually paid out cash to me or a family member and I therefore recommend them as trustworthy:

1.   Global Test Market                                                           
2.  Technology Advisory Board (for IT professionals)
3. Brand Institute (for Health care professionals). Brand Institute pays $5-15 per survey. They pay soon after successful completion of a survey. According to my experience, among Survey companies, they pay the fastest!

 NO ASSURANCE, BUT WORTH TRYING

And here's another list of MR companies that you can try. However, I cannot assure you about their trustworthiness as I have signed up with only a few. And where I've signed up, I haven't been a panelist long enough to be due for a payment or reward!

1. Zippy Opinion
2. Opinion World 
3. Toluna 
4. Valued Opinions
5. IndiaSpeaks
6. iPanelonline
7. AIP Surveys
8. American Consumer Opinion  
9. Opinion Square
10. Permission Research   (Caution: This MR company may collect your private data. DO NOT join if this is not acceptable to you)
11. The Socratic Forum
12. Executive Advisory Board

In order to get a steady income from surveys, it is advisable that you sign up with the maximum number of Survey sites possible. I would personally recommended signing up with a minimum of 10-20 sites to earn an income of around ₹2,000/= per month. Of these, it is essential that at least 5 are reliable, steady and verified as in the "TRIED & TESTED" list above.

NOTE: 

1. Different MR companies follow different rewards practices. Some will pay you money (thro' PayTM, PayPal, cheque, direct transfer to your Bank Account etc.). Others reward you popular gift vouchers like those of Amazon & Flipkart. A third category will offer you both options and you can chose between cash or gift voucher.
2. For every survey you complete successfully, money or "points" are added to your Account. You must reach a minimum balance before you can withdraw or redeem for gift voucher(s). This results in the 1-6 month lead-time mentioned earlier.

TIP: You can find more MR companies by searching the Internet for (say) "Top survey sites in India" from time to time.