1. Quiz
  2. Your result
  3. Your plan
  4. Your guide

Step-by-step guide

Paid research studies and surveys: from sign-up to your first cash-out

Take part in academic studies and market research surveys online for small payments. This guide covers which platforms accept South Africans, what Prolific says studies must pay ($8 an hour minimum), how cash-outs reach your bank, how to avoid the many "get paid to like videos" scams, and a worked rand example with clearly labelled example figures.

  • 23 lessons
  • 5 modules
  • About 2 hours
  • First lesson free

Is this guide for you?

Good fit if

  • You have a smartphone or laptop and some spare time most days.
  • You can read carefully and answer honestly.
  • You want a small top-up, and are fine if it stays small.

Think twice if

  • You need a steady income to live on.
  • You don't have a PayPal account or can't open one.
  • You get frustrated when you are screened out of surveys.

Honest expectations

  • Prolific says studies must pay at least $8 (or £6) an hour and recommends $12 (or £9), but how many studies you get varies a lot.
  • SA money sites report survey earnings of roughly R200 to R1,500 a month (JustMoney), so think of this as pocket money.
  • Any "job" that asks you to pay first, or pays you to like videos, is very likely a scam.

What is inside

  1. Module 1

    Is this right for you?

    What it involves, who pays, and honest expectations.

    1. How paid research studies and surveys workFree · 5 min
    2. Honest expectations4 min (in the full guide)
  2. Module 2

    Set up and price

    What you need and what to charge.

    1. Your startup kit, costs and skills5 min (in the full guide)
    2. Set up step by step: ready for your first study6 min (in the full guide)
    3. What it pays and how you get paid: real 2026 figures5 min (in the full guide)
    4. Your numbers: a worked example in rands5 min (in the full guide)
  3. Module 3

    Your first week

    The first steps, in order.

    1. Your first week, step by step6 min (in the full guide)
    2. Week one, step 2: Set up PayPal and link your bank3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Week one, step 3: Fill in your profile fully3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Where to sign up: trusted platforms5 min (in the full guide)
    5. Your 14-day playbook to your first paying customers6 min (in the full guide)
    6. Messages to copy: your first customers5 min (in the full guide)
  4. Module 4

    Your first month

    A routine that brings in customers.

    1. Your first 30 days: build a routine4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Month one, task 1: Track your real hourly rate3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Month one, task 2: Decide if it is worth your time3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Common mistakes with paid studies4 min (in the full guide)
  5. Module 5

    Months two and three

    Repeat what works, grow and stay safe.

    1. Days 31 to 90: repeat what works and grow4 min (in the full guide)
    2. Months two and three, task 1: Use it only as a top-up3 min (in the full guide)
    3. Months two and three, task 2: Keep looking for steadier work3 min (in the full guide)
    4. Free courses to fill your skill gaps4 min (in the full guide)
    5. Getting paid safely and spotting scams4 min (in the full guide)
    6. Tax: what to put aside, with worked examples6 min (in the full guide)
    7. Risks, rules, tax and staying safe5 min (in the full guide)

What it costs to start

ItemCostNote
Data for a month of studies (example range)R0 to R300Example range. Use Wi-Fi where you can.
PayPal accountR0Free to open.

Try it before you buy

Lesson one is free. If it helps, the whole guide is R149 once-off.

Start the free lesson

Reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Earn Path team. Next review due 26 April 2027.