Make Your Mystery Shopping More Profitable

by Cathy Strucker,
Mystery Shopping Industry Expert

Some mystery shoppers think of shopping as a fun sideline. They are content to make a few dollars here and there, or get free stuff now and then. That is one way to approach mystery shopping, but if you want to be a successful and profitable mystery shopper there are a few simple steps that can make a big difference in your income. Here are some tips to help you make more money, as well as keep more of what you make.

1. CHOOSE ASSIGNMENTS WISELY. Consider the time involved in traveling to the location, doing the shop and writing the report. While it sometimes makes sense to take a low-paying shop (e.g., you are going to be in the area, you have a group of shops, the shop is simple, you are building a relationship with the scheduler or company, etc.) look for shops that give you the most return on the investment of your time.

2. EXPERIMENT. Try a different type of shop. If you generally accept only restaurant or retail shops, try something new. Accept assignments for apartments, banks and financial institutions, or other service industries. These shops typically do not include reimbursements, and fees may be higher. Also be open to shops involving technology, such as those using digital cameras, digital voice recorders or video recorders.

3. EXPAND INTO COMPATIBLE INDUSTRIES. Many shoppers enjoy doing surveys, merchandising, demos and other types of work in addition to mystery shopping. These jobs can often be worked into your shopping schedule and can help make you more profitable.

4. MOVE UP. Everyone starts as a shopper. As you become more adept and you feel you could take on more, you may want to apply for other types of positions within companies. Some of the most common positions: video shopper, telephone shopper, scheduler, editor, project coordinator. You must be the best of the best to be considered for these other positions.

5. PLAN! Group assignments by location or type. Many successful shoppers create routes by accepting multiple assignments that can be completed in one trip. A few minutes spent mapping out your travel route will save time and gas. Or, a shopper may do several locations of the same client. If all of the scenarios are the same, your preparation time may be the same for six shops as for one.

6. CREATE A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE. Schedulers like to work with shoppers who take their work seriously and act professionally. All of your communications with mystery shopping companies should be businesslike. Use proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. Save and document all of your work and confirmation submissions. Respond promptly when you are contacted. Most importantly, do what you say you will do.

7. IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS. Consider obtaining certification to become a more educated shopper and to demonstrate your commitment to being a professional. Take a grammar or business writing course to improve your reporting skills.

8. CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS. High-end shops (those that pay the most and have the best perks) get offered to shoppers whom schedulers know they can depend. Always do your shops on time and follow the guidelines meticulously. Get your report in as soon as possible and do not miss deadlines. Do not cancel shops you have accepted. Let schedulers know that you are available to help when they have cancellations or last minute jobs. When you help out a scheduler who is in a tough situation (probably because another shopper flaked on her) that scheduler will remember and will want to work with you again. Be the go-to shopper; it can pay off big.

9. CUT OUT TIME WASTERS. It is easy to get on the Internet to check job postings, and still be in front of the computer two hours later looking message boards, reading e-mail and surfing Web sites. Be focused when you get online. Do not search every job board several times a day. Limit the time you spend in forums and chat rooms.

10. TRACK PAYMENTS. Keep track of what you are owed and when it is due. After you earn it, make sure you receive it. Although I have always been paid for my work, there have been times when payment was delayed or made in the wrong amount. Mistakes happen and checks do get lost in the mail. If you track how much you are supposed to receive and when, you will immediately know when there is a problem. Be professional when approaching a company about payment, and give them all the information about the shop in order to help them locate your shop information quickly.

11. MAXIMIZE TAX DEDUCTIONS. A CPA friend of mine likes to say that it is not how much you make, it is how much you keep that matters. Keep good records of all of your expenses so that you can deduct all of your reasonable and necessary business expenses. Talk to your tax preparer to see if it makes sense for you to deduct a percentage of your actual car expenses instead of the standard mileage rate. (It means keeping more records, but may result in a larger deduction) Ask if you qualify for the home office deduction.

12. REDUCE EXPENSES. Every dollar you save on expenses goes straight to your bottom line. Could you save transportation expenses by grouping assignments? Could you reduce your cell phone or Internet expense by changing providers or switching to a new plan? And do not incur expenses just to get a tax deduction. It is not smart to spend $100 just to save $25 or so on your taxes.

13. BE THE BEST. Shoppers who are reliable, and who consistently produce quality reports on time, will receive more and better assignments. Mystery shopping companies typically consider only about 10% of their shoppers to be excellent. Be a top10-percenter and you will make more money while doing the shops you most enjoy.

Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper.s Manual. Sign up for her free email mystery shopping course at IdeaLady.com and get news and updates on mystery shopping in her blog at MysteryShoppersManual.com