Question 1

I've joined the team, now what?

Accepted Answer

Well, first make sure you received our welcome email message, thanking you for joining our awesome team. If you don't see it in your email inbox check your spam or junk file.
 
Next, we will review the information you provided when you joined, and when a survey opportunity comes up for you we will email, text, or call you based on your contact preferences.

Question 2

Are you going to sell my data?

Accepted Answer

No Way. We don't sell your personal data. We get paid by City, County, and State government agencies to conduct survey research. We also work with public agencies like Department's of Transportation and public transit agencies. They pay us to do research, we ask you questions and present the findings to them. They then make decisions based on the collected data that make your community better because now they know what their residents want. Pretty cool huh? If you want to read our full privacy policy, look for the black bar at the top of the website. Sometimes, the surveys themselves will have additional privacy related comments from the client. Be sure to read that information as well. You are never under any obligation to participate in a survey.

Question 3

What types of surveys will I be asked to do?

Accepted Answer

The most common types of surveys will be:
 • City Services (rating the services provided by the City where you live)
 • Parks and Recreation Services (rating parks and recreation services and programs in the City where you live)
 • Library Services (rating library services and programs in the City where you live)
 • Transit Surveys (transit agencies sometimes look for information from riders and non-riders)
 • Household Travel Surveys (State departments of transportation sometimes gather travel information from residents in certain metropolitan areas).
 • Statewide Surveys (state agencies looking for ratings on various aspects from a large sample of people across the state where you live)

Question 4

How do I participate in a survey?

Accepted Answer

We have an inhouse programming team that creates hundreds of online surveys for communities every year. Our programming team also develops mobile apps for data collection purposes.
 
However, if you prefer a less high tech option we've got you covered there as well. We can provide our surveys to you via mail or one of our inhouse Kansas-based call center employees can give you a call and do the survey right over the phone. 
 
So to answer your question, our surveys are available:
1. Online
2. Over the phone with our call center
3. Via mail (paper surveys with free mailback option)
4. Mobile app (only for select projects)

Question 5

For the paid surveys, how do I get paid?"

Accepted Answer

ETC Institute has partnered with RewardsGenius by TangoCard. What does that mean? Well, RewardsGenius is one of the largest suppliers of online Visa debit and electronic gift cards in the US. So after you successfully complete a paid survey opportunity you will receive an email that contains a voucher. You click on that voucher and it takes you to rewardsgenius.com where you can select from around 100 different gift card options including a Visa debit card option. You even have the opportunity to donate your reward amount to charity.
 
Here is the rewards catalog link which will be similar to the options you will be able to choose from https://www.rewardsgenius.com/reward-catalog/.(https://www.rewardsgenius.com/reward-catalog/)
 
Also, we typically email our incentives out once a week. So you won't need to wait very long once you've completed your survey. If you ever have any issues, or need us to resend your incentive, just let us know and we will be happy to help.

Question 6

How many people has ETC Institute surveyed?

Accepted Answer

In the last 40 years?...no idea. I can tell you in the last 10 years, ETC Institute has surveyed over 3,200,000 in more than 1,000 communities. Our research has laid the foundation for billions of dollars in new public investments for communities just like yours. In fact, considering how many people we've surveyed, we've likely already made improvements in your City.

Question 7

Are you going to bother me all the time with surveys?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. Since we only conduct survey research for government or public agencies, we aren't going to be bombarding you with surveys everyday. When we send you an email/text/phone call for a survey opportunity, you can be sure it is important.
 
Plus if we contact you and you don't feel like doing it you don't have to. Participation is always voluntary.

Question 8

How is this different than other survey panels/paid survey groups?

Accepted Answer

There are some huge differences.
 
For one, our surveys always revolve around improving your community. Your city government may hire us to reach out to local residents to get their opinions about: Parks and Recreation services, overall City services, Library services, etc. Your opinions will directly impact the decisions your City leaders make. It will help them prioritize and set budgets.
 
If you have a large public transit system in your town, we might also reach out to get your feedback on those services.
 
We have a mix of free and paid survey opportunities. When we offer monetary incentives, we don't offer $0.50 or $1 per survey like some panel groups. Our incentives will usually run from $10 - $25 but can go even higher.

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