To get paid for a Mystery Shop, you must perform it correctly. Using information that is accurate and objective allows the client to receive valuable feedback on its customer service. To ensure accuracy, some companies even check your report against in-store security videos. Others will throw in a bogus question as a quality check. Thus, it is important that you do your shop per the instructions provided.

Make sure you read the shop directions carefully for each shop, and know your due date. Marking your calendar right away when you are accepted for an assignment will make it easier to manage your time, so you have a big picture of your week. Even if you have performed a shop in the past, be sure to check for changes in shop requirements.

Know where you are going! To be sure you can find your way, either keep a map handy, print online directions, or get a GPS unit for your car. Also, some chains may have more than one location in a town, so double check that you are going to the right place.

Always carry a pen and small pad of paper with you when doing a shop to jot down names and important notes. Just be discrete! If available, ask for business cards or brochures to help recall details when doing the write-up.

If you can find an affordable one, get a small digital voice recorder (MP3 Player) you can stick somewhere inconspicuous. This will help tremendously in keeping track of timing and quoting an employee interaction. Make sure to carry extra batteries and check how much power you have left before starting a shop recording.

Always keep a backup of your report and any necessary proof (i.e., receipts, business cards) at least until you get paid. Sometimes systems go down, and receipts get lost. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to getting paid. Plus, you may be able to reuse your original report as a template for recurring shops.

Are you going to get rich being a mystery shopper? No. But it can help you make a little extra money, and afford you the opportunity to treat yourself and your family. Some companies are better than others for the amount of effort they expect you to put into a shop versus what they are willing to pay. The great thing is you can pick and choose which assignments you would like to do. You make your own schedule.

It is essential that you keep track of the companies you have applied to, along with usernames, passwords, and log-in sites. Also, as you go along you will find that many companies ask for similar writing samples and ask similar essay questions. I find it handy to have a Word document with all the writing samples and answers I have submitted, so I can reuse as much as possible. Also, having a list of the zip codes in your surrounding area can be handy.

Check your email frequently for job offers—many are on a first come, first serve basis. Sometimes shops are made available on a “self-assign” basis, which means you will get the job if you are the first to respond. For other shops you will have to be diligent about applying multiple times until you are selected by the scheduler. Some shopping companies only post to their internal boards, so be sure to make note of which ones you should check for jobs directly on their website.

It is important to keep track of your expenses and income throughout the year. Most often you will be a self-employed independent contractor, and be expected to pay for all your own business related expenses, including taxes. However, this means that you will be able to claim any business expenses as tax deductions (mileage, postage, home office, computer, etc.). As a starting point, the IRS publishes information for independent contractors on its website (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=115045,00.html). Consult a tax professional for additional details.

Put some time in upfront to establish a system to keep track of your mystery shopping activities. Come tax-time, you will be grateful to have all your information organized and ready to use.

Anyone who is observant and can follow directions can be a Mystery Shopper. It helps if you have flexibility in your schedule. This makes it an ideal opportunity for Stay-at-Home Moms, students, and retirees. A good mystery shopper must be detail-oriented, very reliable, an excellent multi-tasker, and have the ability to be discrete when needed. It is also important that the mystery shopper prepare before an assignment to assure the objectives of the shopping program are met with accuracy. Using information that is accurate and objective allows the client to receive valuable feedback on its customer service.

The first step is to apply with as many shopping companies and scheduling companies as possible. You can find a list of Mystery Shopping companies to apply to at http://www.momswallet.com/mysteryshoppingcompanies.html. Legitimate Mystery Shopping companies do not charge an application fee, so beware of companies asking for payment. You may be asked for your social security number for tax purposes. Just make sure this information is submitted securely, which can be verified by looking for https:// or “shttp://” before the website address.

I suggest doing some research on Volition and JobSlinger to see who is offering assignments in your state. This will give you a good chance of getting more immediate assignments. Also, sign up with the Scheduling Companies right away, as they often recruit shoppers across the country. For a list of Scheduling Companies, visit http://www.momswallet.com/mysteryshoppingschedulers.html.

You may also want to get at least Silver Certified via the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). Although not required, many shopping companies ask for your MSPA Certification number on the application and having it when you apply will save you the time of having to go back to enter it later. Some companies also give priority to Certified Shoppers, as it shows you have already invested time into getting to know more about the industry.

Pick up those “hard-to-fill” assignments to get your foot in the door with a company. These may be shops in out-of-the-way places, or low paying jobs. Look at these as being good training to get comfortable with the process. It may take some time to get your first assignment in an area with many mystery shoppers, but your chance will come to prove yourself.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about Mystery Shopping at http://www.momswallet.com/mysteryshopping.html.