5 Strategies To Make Quick Cash by Just Sharing Your Opinion
Written by
Martin Dasko
Edited by
Chris Cluff
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Many side hustles will pay you for performing odd jobs and tasks based on your skill set. If you don’t have digital skills or you’re looking for an income stream you can perform at your leisure, there are various ways to get paid for sharing your opinion.
With that in mind, let’s explore multiple strategies for how your opinion can become an income stream online.
Let’s dig a little deeper into how you can make money just by sharing your opinion.
Product Testing and Focus Groups
“Product testing means trying out new stuff and telling companies what you think,” said Kraig Kleeman, CEO of Z-Branding. “You might get free products or money for your time. Companies want to know what you like and don’t like before they sell their products to everyone.”
You can earn some money from product testing and trying out new concepts before they’re publicly released. Companies spend money on focus groups to conduct market research before releasing products or gathering general public sentiment. You can check out platforms like Product Report Card, Respondent or User Interviews to see their necessary qualifications to test out websites and apps.
Filling Out Surveys
You could make some money by completing surveys where you give your opinion on different topics. You can complete some of these surveys in minutes while you watch a program on the couch. You can also earn gift cards and other perks if approved for enough surveys.
There are numerous websites available that will pay you for completing surveys. Here are some of the more popular ones based on user reviews:
“Some of these apps offer other money-making opportunities in addition to surveys and focus groups,” said Todd Stearn, founder and CEO of The Money Manual. “With Cointiply, you can also get paid to play games, watch videos and sign up for various services. Meanwhile, with Apex Focus Group, you could even participate in a clinical trial.”
You can also complete surveys and participate in product testing with some of these platforms. There’s also the Swagbucks Discover program, great for free product samples and testing opportunities.
It’s also worth noting that these two options are listed first since they’re the easiest to qualify for and you can start earning some money for your opinion fairly quickly from the moment you sign up.
Mystery Shopping
“Mystery shopping is like being a secret agent for businesses,” said Kleeman. “You go to stores or restaurants and check things out without anyone knowing. You’ll get paid for your time and may even get free stuff. It’s an excellent way to share your thoughts while having fun exploring new places.”
Companies will pay you to pretend to be a regular shopper to gather your opinion on the overall experience, from how the brand is perceived to the customer service.
Platforms like iSecretShop and Field Agent where you can apply to see if you qualify. You’ll be paid for your time, land free stuff and get insights into the retail industry’s workings.
Start a Newsletter
You can start a newsletter, giving your thoughts on a specific niche to become an industry leader. One of the most common options lately has been Substack, where you can grow a free newsletter to attract premium paid subscribers.
Find a topic that you’re passionate and knowledgeable about so you can create consistent content. If your newsletter gets noticed and traction, you could start selling subscriptions.
Offer Reviews on Social Media
You can make money from offering reviews and sharing your thoughts on different products through affiliate marketing and selling advertising on social media. If your account grows, you could create an income stream where you get paid for your opinions and insights.
The goal is to find a niche where you can create consistent content with your insights and a platform to commit to. Even though there are no guarantees, your YouTube channel or Instagram page could become a source of extra money one day.
Closing Thoughts
You could get paid to give your opinion, and the money will vary depending on how much time you have to put in. For example, while it may take longer to grow a newsletter, you could become the industry leader in your niche over time.
On the other hand, you can make some quick money and collect gift cards from filling out surveys in your spare time. It’s up to you to test out the different options to see what works best for you.
“Most of these apps offer you the opportunity to make some extra cash or earn gift cards, but they generally aren’t going to pay enough to substitute for a job,” said Stearn.
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