So, everyone loves free stuff. And companies love to get feedback from real people (plus they know you'll talk about their products). That's where product testing comes in. Many companies will send you full sized products or samples, in exchange for feedback. They ask you to let them know about conversations you've had, post to Social Media, take a short survey about the product, etc. This is by no means a complete list, but it's a good start.
First I'd like to tell you about my favourites. I've gotten more things to try from BzzAgent than any other company. They customize the offers based on your responses to surveys, so you're less likely to get things you aren't interested in. Over the couple of years I've been a member, I've gotten to try everything from brandy to snacks to beauty products. True, there are sometimes long periods without an offer....but when they come, they're worth it!
Another I've had good luck with is Crowdtap. They have "quick hits" that enable you to give feedback, "challenges" that give more in-depth feedback and so on, and "missions" that enable you to try things. Plus there are monthly giveaways.
PINCHme is a little different. Once a month, they make samples available. You select which you'd like, and they mail them. You try them, and then take a short survey. No reporting back of conversations or anything like that. They only send sample sizes though, NOT full sized products. Still, it gives you a chance to try things you might not have heard of.
There's Smiley360. I've only had a couple "missions" with them over the couple years I've belonged (and a while back, they reset everything and all my history/points disappeared). But if you check in regularly, and keep trying out, you might get a few products to try.
For about 8 years, I've belonged to Kraft First Taste. For a while, they were sending out full-sized products right to my door regularly. Then they switched to sending "free product" coupons. Those became "free product" coupons you had to print. And in recent months, I haven't seen a single offer. I'm not sure if they're just taking time off from gathering feedback, or if they're phasing the program out, or what. But it's worth looking into.
Listia is like a "free eBay". You get points when you sign up. You can complete surveys, watch videos, etc for more points. You use points to "buy" items (though some may require shipping costs). And if you have things to sell, you can earn points from that. I've used it a while now and know it DOES work.
This one's a bit different....the National Consumer Panel. If they're looking for people in your area, they will send you a scanner. You scan the items you buy, and earn points. They also have surveys that can earn you points. You save up the points to order free gifts from their catalogue. There are monthly giveaways you can enter as well.
There are several I've belonged to for a while and gotten nothing from. Because it could just be my luck, I'm sharing them here. But I cannot vouch for them. SheSpeaks SOUNDS like a good idea. You give feedback on products you test (as well as anything you feel like reviewing), plus they have links to articles and giveaways that might interest their members. HouseParty is a bit more complicated. You apply to host parties. If approved (I never am), you invite friends/family for a party and share the products and coupons with them. You also need to provide pictures of your party. All You Reality Checkers is another I've belonged to for a while and gotten nothing from. Again, they supposedly offer products to test. There are also articles, giveaways, etc. The site usually loads VERY slowly, which keeps me from going on often (which could be why I never qualify to try anything....). L'Oreal USA Consumer Participation Program is another I've not had luck with. They send you surveys to see if you qualify for in-home or on-location trials.
The Home Tester Club is one I've recently joined. They periodically offer products to test. You try out for campaigns. I haven't been a member long enough to evaluate, but it looks promising. Another I just signed up for is The Pink Panel. Supposedly, they give out beauty products to try.
Also, there should be a widget below (if I did it right, apparently a lot of people have trouble with the widget). This is for Influenster. I literally just joined this one today. But it seems that they sound out BOXES of free stuff to those who qualify.
This next paragraph will be about product testing opportunities I've HEARD about, but not yet checked out (beyond searching for and visiting the initial page). There's McCormick (yes, the spice and flavouring people). The Mills Advisory Panel (General Mills and Small Planet Foods). Product Testing Services apparently lets you try out a variety of products. And there are at least two shoe companies that have testing programs (though what I gather is you wear them for a while and RETURN THE SHOES, as well as give feedback). These two are Nike and New Balance.
And finally, here's a link for a BUNCH more product testing sites. I haven't gone through the list, so I don't know if any I've mentioned are on there, if the links all work, or how/if the programs work. But if you're looking for still more free stuff beyond what I've mentioned here, it couldn't hurt to check it out (I will be eventually).
So, until next time....