The key to being successful as a Secret Shopper is where you’re located

I know that you don’t want to hear this, but whether you’re brand new to secret shopping or are an experienced veteran (happy Veterans Day by the way), where you’re located is going to depend whether or not you’ll produce a good extra income stream with mystery shopping. You know what they say, “Location, location, location!”

I’m not as busy with mystery shopping as I once used to be. I choose to grow my residual income online now, verses getting paid on a per job completion basis. Do I still do secret shopping jobs? Of course, if they pay well, are in my 10 mile radius, and aren’t too difficult, I will be more than happy to make the extra cash.

Unfortunately I turn down a lot of secret shopping jobs offered by various schedulers, but it’s no offense to them, it’s usually because the job is just too far away and the pay doesn’t cover the gas expenses and time I would have to put forth to successfully complete the job. Not to mention doing the hideous online report at the end of the day. Those are the worse, really.

How do I know location is so important to making money with secret shopping?

It’s pretty simple folks, if you are in or around a major city or suburb, you will have more local businesses and franchises around you. This of course equals more money in the bank for you as a mystery shopper. Sometimes it really isn’t that cut and dry. I used to do mystery shopping in Washington State. I’ve averaged around $700 to $1,000.00 extra a month doing mystery shopping part time over there. Once I moved to New Orleans, I’ve noticed a whole lot less jobs.

Maybe it was the fact that I just wasn’t registered with the right secret shopping companies that cover the New Orleans area, but I actually notice more jobs in outlying cities even though New Orleans is where you would think most of the jobs would be.

In Washington, I barely ever had to make my way up to Seattle because most of the jobs could be taken care of in smaller suburban cities.

How do I know if my area is good for earning extra income in secret shopping?

There is only one way to find out. You have to sign up with as many secret shopping companies as you can and see what kinds of jobs are offered to you and where they’re at. I’m just an online blogger, so I’m only familiar with areas I’ve secret shopped in.

Whether you’re new to mystery shopping or a seasoned vet, I hope this information helps you in your decision to continue in secret shopping as a way to supplement your income as your own boss.