I personally feel this is one of the most important blogs regarding secret shopping I can write.  After all, getting started and making money is what it’s all about.

How much does secret shopping pay? Because I want to spend more time in this blog about “in the beginning of secret shopping,” I’ll be detailing more about income in another blog later.  But, very quickly, new shoppers should expect to average around $25.00 per hour. As for me, currently, I am taking time off from shopping to focus on my blog and site.  This is one of the beauties of this industry…I don’t have to ask for time off, just take it and come back when I’m ready. But, over the last year, I was working more specialized assignments, and I was averaging around $40.00 an hour. Additionally, I received thousands in free stuff. There are shoppers that make six figures, but I could consider this the exception. Simply put, the money is not bad.

So, if the secret shopping industry is not a scam, pays well, offers all the flexibility I insist it does, why do so many people quit the industry in the beginning? I know why…lol…because they lack the knowledge and understanding of what secret shopping entails for the first few months.

In a regular job, a person works for one company, receives and hourly wage and one paycheck. Secret shopping is contracted work. Because of this, a typical full day may include assignments from 8-10 companies. So rarely, and I do mean rarely, will you ever work for one company exclusively. This causes frustration in the beginning.  Most don't understand this concept of the industry and don’t know where to find 8-10 companies to work for. Those that do, don’t understand the shopper/company relationship and what is about to transpire between them and these 8-10 companies they submitted apps with….So, here’s what happens.  I have heard this literally from dozens of people.

Mr. New Shopper finds secret shopping directory. Starts submitting applications. After one week and 20 applications, Mr. New Shopper hasn’t heard from any of the companies and becomes very discouraged. So, Mr. New Shopper stops submitting apps. Another week goes by, and Mr. New Shopper gets a call from one company….hope is restored!!!! He completes the assignment and can’t wait to do another one. He now thinks he’s headed for his new career with this one company. After all, they called him. So he sits by the phone for a week and gets no more calls. Another week goes by with no calls, and Mr. New Shopper gives up on secret shopping.

This is a common scenario.  Though companies have work, it is spread out all over the country or all over the world.  For example, secret shopping company "A" might have 2,000 assignments available but they are spread over 50 states.  That's about 40 assignments per state.  I'm in Southern CA.  Split 40 assignments over the whole state of CA, and there might be one shop available in my area...I'll have a whole blog on this subject (relativity in the industry) but this should give you an idea of why Mr. New Shopper didn't get any calls.

Okay, so how do we overcome this problem in the beginning? Well, I have to tell you, I have so much info about this industry, I can probably write for the next five years, but I don’t think anyone wants to wait that long to get started.

So, if you notice in my earlier posts, “Maritz” and “Sassie” I listed links for four companies. I do not receive any pay of any kind for posting any info about secret shopping. I’m not getting kickbacks, referral pay, or anything for referring specific companies. So why would I list these four?...It was for a much more methodical reason. I wanted all of those interested in secret shopping to have links to companies that might get them working very quickly…..not like Mr. New Shopper, submitting 20 applications and waiting around. Click on "Other Secret Shopping Information" in my directory for Maritz and Sassie.

Not all companies do this, but these four companies have shop lists on their sites. There are more companies that have listings on their sites, and I will be blogging them as well….Good reason to start subscribing to my blog. After getting started with the quicker companies, new shoppers can then start filling in with the other companies that don’t list their shops and shop offers are more occasional…like in Mr. New Shopper’s situation.

If you have read my intro article on AC you should know about volition. For those that haven't, volition.com has a FREE, REPUTABLE directory for secret shopping on their site and I will always recommend them; however, I have noticed on more than one occasion, in their descriptions of secret shopping companies, they will state the company offers shop lists when the site doesn’t….just be aware in case you come across this situation.

I consider my blog not about throwing everyone a directory and leaving them to figure it all out. I consider my blog to be about learning the industry to succeed in the industry….hence my site address…www.secretshoppingforsuccess.com Now, it’s up to everyone to define their own success…If you want to make extra money, make full time money, get free entertainment…it’s all up to you.

The bottom line about secret shopping is it will take time in the beginning to get started. The application process, approving applications, getting that first assignment…all of it, requires patience in the beginning…..I can not emphasize this enough….It can be started around a full time job, motherhood, or anything else life throws at you. For those that stick with it, you could have a life time job waiting for you whenever you want to work.

New to Secret Shopping? I recommend reading my other blog "MSPA" posted at the top of my directory.

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