Although answering surveys over the phone is becoming less and less common, telephone surveys are still used by market research companies to collect data.
Impact of the Do Not Call Registry
With the Do Not Call registry, market research must maintain their own opt-out lists of people who do not wish to participate in research conducted via telephone, however, they are exempt from being governed under Do Not Call rules. These rules are in place for firms looking to make sales over the phone; Market research companies and polling firms are not selling anything, so they are still able to conduct research over the phone.
That said, telephone surveys are not nearly as popular as they once were, as it is expensive to run a call center, and it’s difficult to eliminate interview bias. Online paid surveys have taken the place of talking to a telephone interviewer, though telephone surveys do still exist.
If you enjoy taking surveys over the phone and wish to participate willingly, there are still options available to you.
Surveys you can answer over the telephone
Paid telephone surveys consist of a phone interview; that is, a person will call you and conduct a survey. Some companies use phone surveys as a way to gauge customer service experiences, after you might do something like use a teller at the bank, or buy a new vehicle. These surveys do not typically offer any sort of compensation, though they can be a way to vent if you’ve had a less-than-ideal interaction with the company!
If you’re looking to earn rewards for participating in telephone surveys, there are definitely some options. The first thing to do is to become a member of survey sites who specifically conduct telephone interviews. If you are asked for your phone number, be sure to provide it. As well, you might have to agree separately to participating in phone surveys via a special checkbox, etc. – look for these when you complete your registration, or via the “Profile” link in your account.
Some surveys sites who are known to conduct telephone surveys include: Harris Poll Online and more.
» Full list of telephone survey companies
Note the distinction with mobile surveys
Notice that telephone interviews are different from mobile surveys in that during a telephone interview, you are speaking with a live person. With mobile surveys, you are simply answering surveys in a web browser or via text message (SMS) using your mobile device without ever talking to an interviewer.
If mobile surveys appeal to you more than telephone surveys, you’re in luck! There are many survey companies who offer their members mobile surveys. This is an especially great way to earn a few extra dollars when you’re waiting for the bus, are in between classes in college, or are playing on your cell phone anyway.
Mobile survey providers include: Opinion Outpost, YouGov, OneOpinion, and OpinionWorld.
» Full list of mobile survey companies
Still a little different are mobile apps
Most survey companies are a little slow in that they haven’t yet invested in the creation of a standalone mobile app for their users to take surveys through. Creating mobile-friendly surveys is relatively straightforward, but creating and maintaining an Android or iOS app requires a considerable amount of resources.
That said, there are some pretty progressive survey panels out there who do offer their users the option of downloading their survey apps so they can take surveys, check their points balance, and request rewards all in one place.
These survey sites include: Toluna Influencers, Ipsos iSay, and LEO Surveys.
Find all survey sites who offer mobile apps
If you’d like more information about how exactly this works, check out our post on making money with survey apps.
Sources:
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts
I am a disabled person trying to find a way to make some extra money because i get make it with my disability check so if you can please help me to find some phone survey companies i would be more than happy i can’t afford to pay for the ones you have to send money in to get started so again i would be very grateful for any help you can give me thanks and God Bless
Hi Elizabeth,
You don’t ever need to pay to join a legitimate survey website. Genuine sites will be happy to take you on as a panelist and will offer you rewards for participating, and will never require payment.
You can find a full listing of survey companies (who are completely free to join) who offer surveys over the phone here: https://www.surveypolice.com/pick-a-perk/search?mo_ids%5B%5D=14&p=1&page=1