While no one has ever made Fortune’s Richest list working as a mystery shopper, it is undeniably true that you can actually get paid to shop. To advance and turn this into a steady stream of income however, you need to treat it as a professional position, and not as a hobby or occasional activity. Here are some tips on how you can earn a reputation among the companies you shop for as the best mystery shopper, and sky rocket your earning potential.

While most mystery shopping companies don’t require special training, obtaining your certification demonstrates that you’re serious about excelling in the job. The MSPA offers two levels of certification: Silver, which costs $15, takes about an hour, and measures your basic skills; and Gold, a DVD-plus-exam course which will cost $99 (plus shipping and taxes). Believe it or not, there’s more to being a good mystery shopper than wielding a credit card and filling out some forms; MSPA training will help you take your money making ideas to the next level. And while there are literally millions of potential shoppers listed in company databases, only a relative few have bothered to get certified. Your certification will help you stand out among the competition and earn some of the higher-paying assignments.

You don’t have to dress up in a business suit or heels to interview with a mystery shopping company. You don’t even have to brush your teeth. But when you fill out those online applications, take care to do so as your best self. Don’t skip blanks, be honest, check your spelling and grammar, and be thorough. The more information you provide, the more likely it is that you’ll be chosen for assignments that fit your qualifications. Another crucial step: if you move, remember to update all of your online profiles. You don’t want to be contacted about shops in Indiana when you’re now living in North Carolina!

Sounds basic, doesn’t it? But for whatever reason, many would-be mystery shoppers don’t take their commitment seriously. They don’t show up, the shop doesn’t happen, the client is unhappy, the agency is unhappy, and the shopper wonders why she isn’t getting any more assignments. Just because you don’t punch a clock, it doesn’t mean that you can be cavalier about your job. Show up, do good work, and watch your star rise. Another helpful tip: if you can build a reputation as someone who can fill in quickly in an emergency, you’ll enhance your reputation and be the go-to person for other assignments.

Each shopping assignment you receive will have its own particular instructions. Each company you work for will have a unique routine, and each client will be looking for certain service points. Even if you’ve worked for this company before, or it’s the twentieth time you’ve shopped that restaurant, read the instructions carefully to avoid making mistakes that will lead to a rejected report. This conscientious attention will help you bring your money making ideas to fruition.

Sometimes, your assignment will not be as clear as it should be. When this happens, don’t be afraid to contact the company or your scheduler for clarification. You’ll look smart, rather than foolish. It’s better to take the extra time to make sure you know what you’re doing than to assume that you do, only to find out you were wrong.

Vague shopping reports help no one. Writing that the “brown-haired clerk took too long to wait on me,” only tells the client that you were impatient. However, a report that states “Rhonda at register 2 took twenty minutes to get to me because she was talking to the customer in front of me, who was apparently a good friend from high school,” allows the client to help Rhonda improve her performance. Remember, when you’re on a shop, you’re working. Observe, take notes (you can do this surreptitiously on your cell phone, under pretext of texting), use (again, sneakily) a stop watch, and focus on the transaction. Don’t let your mind wander or you run the risk of forgetting an important detail. By writing complete reports, you give the client what they need and increase your chances of landing moreand betterassignments.

Like it or not, the ability to communicate clearly and properly in both speaking and writing is a hallmark of an educated personthe kind of person every company looks for. Make sure you proofread applications, reports, and every other communication you have with your agency. If English is not your first language or your strong suit, invest in a refresher course or a few good guides. This is effort that will pay off, not only in your mystery shopping, but in every personal interaction. Money making ideas often require a little investment in personal improvement!

When you receive your assignment, you’ll be given a time frame in which to accomplish it. This deadline is not arbitrary; it was determined by the client’s needs. First, be sure that you can meet the deadline when you accept the job. Then, do the shop and file the report on time. If you find you can’t complete your assignment during the time frame, due to an emergency, let your contact know as soon as possible so that he or she can schedule another shopper. Don’t fall into the habit of waiting until the last minute; you never know when a flat tire, sick kid, or computer disaster will leave you scrambling.  Again, the key is to treat your mystery shop just as you would a job in which you keep a time card.

As a mystery shopper, you’re self-employed. Even though you may have a scheduler or two sending you assignments, you’re the one who has to keep track of where you need to go and when you need to be there. This can be hard if you do it using scrap paper and random post-its with cryptic notes like “CVS.” Drugstores? Curriculum vitae? Who knows? And you found it on the floor of the minivan buried under two magazines and a backpack. Was it important?

So you can see, it’s important to keep it professional from the beginning. Set up a desk or other area in your home that is only for your mystery shopping work (not school papers, bills, or other clutter). Designate file folders and drawers for receipts, check stubs, assignment information, reports, and other material.  Keep track of invoices and reports electronically and always, always back up your files. Keep records of the usernames and passwords you’ve created for all of the job sites you access and update them as needed. Write down your assignments and information in a dedicated calendar (or use your smart phone) and carry it with you so that you don’t miss a job. By treating yourself as a professional, you’ll ensure your success.

Let’s face it: mystery shopping is a fun, fascinating job. You get to visit stores, restaurants, and other businesses you might not otherwise. You may have the chance to enjoy high-value assignments, such as hotel and resort stays. Perhaps you’ll test drive a luxury car. The whole undercover gig is exciting, particularly if you need to adopt a persona or wear hidden audio or video equipment. It’s like you’re James Bondin the mall!

But as much as you’d love to regale your friends and relatives with some of the more entertaining shop stories, you can’t. Your friends have friends who have friends who have friendsand at least one of them will work on one of your job sites. The more people who know you’re a mystery shopper, the more likely it is your cover will be blown and your effectiveness compromised. You’ll lose that assignment, and maybe others. Another consideration is client confidentiality. Businesses hire mystery shopping companies because they wish to make a genuine effort to improve their customer service. If you entertain your friends with stories of a particularly bad shopping experience, you’re damaging their reputation andby extensionthat of your employer. If your mystery shopping provider is dropped because of something you say, you may lose your job. So as hard as it may be, keep your lips sealed!

These are just a few ways to build your reputation as a professional mystery shopper. Keep improving yourself by constantly checking out online sites and blogs related to mystery shopping, attend training courses, and visit mystery shopping forums. Keep learning, keep doing, keep growing, and keep trying new money making ideas—the sky’s the limit!

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