Get More Mystery Shops
One of the big questions that a relatively new shopper will ask is, "How do I get more work as a mystery shopper?" Mystery shopping sometimes has a slow start. You shouldn't expect to keep up with the amount of work that an experienced shopper gets after having carefully established a reputation of quality work and reliability, as well as relationships with schedulers and other shoppers. However, there are some steps that you can take to get a jump start on mystery shopping.
Apply, Apply, Apply
You'll see this phrase often in the mystery shopping world because it's the biggest thing that you can do to get work -- apply with more mystery shopping companies. Applications are (at least at reputable sites) free, so all this takes is time.
Make a goal for yourself depending on how much time you have to commit. For example, set aside a set hour per day to check your mystery shopping job boards, and if you're done ahead of time, apply for another company; alternately, you could plan to apply to one, or another set number, of companies per day.
To make your applications quick and effective on your quest for shops, here are a few tips:
- Apply for the big companies first. This will give you more "bang for the buck" for each application. Try reading some MSP reviews and targeting companies that have high volumes of shops.
- Try applying for SASSIE companies all at once. The form is nearly the same and very easy to complete quickly. You can find SASSIE-specific lists on our MSP Lists reference page.
- Save your written answers to long questions such as a positive or negative mystery shopping experience, companies shopped for, why you want to be a mystery shopper, and other essay-style questions in order to reuse them. Many companies ask similar questions.
- If you are a slow typer, finding software (such as RoboForm) that automatically fills in forms for you may be helpful.
Work Creates Opportunities For More Work
Consider taking shops that aren't necessarily your favorite. Schedulers often reward shoppers that they have worked with in the past with the most exciting or rewarding shops,
and these shops may not always be visibly posted for you to know about. Often,
MSPs will have feedback ratings for shoppers (though they may not be
visible to you) that will qualify you for shops that aren't given to new
shoppers or shoppers with poor work. In addition, an MSP you do shops for
might get a new and attractive client; if you have a great history of shops,
you're much more likely to qualify for those new shops.
Check, Check and Check Again
You're competing with other shoppers
for assignments. Make it part of your routine to check five or ten job boards right as you get up in the morning, right before bed, and periodically throughout the day. Check all
active job boards at least once each day or two. Check your e-mail often. It's not uncommon for shops in a metropolitan area to be given away within hours, even minutes. Shops can be posted at any time of the day or night.
Start a "core list" of bookmarks for companies that seem to have shops often in your area, and check those most frequently. I sort my mystery shopping bookmarks into a folder and have the highest priority on top, and work my way down when I have time. Also, consider using Firefox or another browser that will save your user logins and passwords for you.
Network and Learn More
Consider joining a mystery
shopping forum or other online community. You'll often hear which companies get
new clients, or when they post shops. Schedulers often post directly to major
mystery shopping forums with available jobs, as well. If a shop comes up in your
area, consider signing up with that company even if you can't do that particular
shop -- that way, you'll be contacted, or able to see the job board in case they
offer bonuses or other local shops. I often check back through older job
postings just to see which companies seem to be doing business in my area.
Not sure where to start? Try here for some great online resources to start with.
Treat Every Shop With Care
Schedulers often work together and share shoppers' information. Treating mystery shopping companies well -- by being reliable and creating quality work -- will only benefit you in the long run. No scheduler wants to get stuck with a shop that's not done or not usable. Being known as a great mystery shopper will only help your ability to get
more work and increase your earnings. Be reliable and consistent.
Keep Records and Set Goals
Set up a spreadsheet or some other way of documenting which sites that you've applied for and when. Many companies won't let you in right away, and other companies won't have a site that you can look at (they simply call or e-mail with shops). Still others may reject you for various reasons, such as not having work in your area. It doesn't pay to spend time re-applying for the same company, so maintain a list.
Be persistent. Set goals for yourself and realize that you will be able to increase your income from month to month as long as you are focused at expanding to new companies and new types of shops. Mystery shopping can be fun and rewarding, but the more that you invest time in creating relationships with shopping companies and building up your own skill, the more rewarding it will be for you.