Originally posted on May 10th, 2013. Updated with new information and links.

One of the Frequently Asked Questions I get is, “Should I fill in surveys for opportunities to win?

My response is, “Yes and no.

WHAT?!

This is where one must look at the time it takes to complete the survey versus the prize being offering combined with the odds of winning.  If the survey is fairly short, fill it out, AND if the prize is amazing, fill it out, AND if your odds of winning are good, fill it out.

One of the keys to winning is to fill out the maximum amount of entries in the shortest amount of time, therefore if one of the components of filling out a survey is not balanced, skip it.  You could potentially enter dozens of sweepstakes in the time it would take you to complete one survey with poor odds of winning and a mediocre prize.

There are two types of surveys. Survey companies, and then there are companies that offer surveys.

What is the difference?

Surveys are all that survey companies do. Sites such as Leger Opinion or SwagbucksREAD: Legitimate Paid Survey Taker Jobs (and How to Avoid Scams)

Then there are the surveys at the bottom of receipts.

@contestqueenALWAYS ask for a ##receipt. ##sweepstakes ##giveaway ##instantwin ##instantprize ##grandprize ##returns ##exchanges ##smallbusiness ##fyp ##foryoupage♬ Money, Money, Money – Black Abba

Do you enter surveys for a chance to win?