Become a Bzz Agent and a Secret Shopper
Trying New Products and Experiences Can be Fun and Free
Mar 22, 2009
Being a Bzz Agent and a Secret Shopper appeals to participants on different levels. Some people like being involved with trying different products, restaurants, and getting things for free. Some people want to be involved with telling companies the truth about their experiences as a customer By becoming a Bzz agent or secret shopper, consumers can be certain they will be heard. Bzz Agent calls itself "a community of communicators". The site is comprised of volunteers who test products and share their experiences and opinions about what they tested, and the testers report back to Bzz Agent. Bzz Agent then collects the information and relays it to the corporation that hired them.
How to Become a Bzz Agent
Becoming a Bzz Agent is not as simple as adding an email address to the BzzAgent database and waiting for boxes to appear in the mail. After signing up at BzzAgent, users must complete an interest survey of epic proportions; BzzAgent asks about the daily life details not many people think about, such as, "Do you interact with anyone who works in a small business and travels for business reasons, which often includes an overnight stay in a hotel?".
Once one registers with BzzAgent, the site emails users with offers that may be appealing. If a person chooses to participate, a box with instructions comes in the mail. There are also BzzAgent cards with a code to pass out to friends if the tester wants to share the experience. It is equally important to BzzAgent that users are honest that they are approaching friends or blogging on because they volunteered to help as a Bzz Agent, and Bzz materials stress that need for transparency in communication.
Once the tester uses the product, he or she logs into the site (where more surveys are waiting) and reports back on the product, how many people they shared it with and their reactions, and other information. BzzAgent also has connections through their Frog Pond, which connects users and experiences, and Gather, which is a social networking utility. Bzz Agents can collect My Points points for taking surveys.
How to Become a Secret Shopper
Feedback Plus is a reliable, ethical secret shopper company. In fact, the Feedback Plus website warns of scams connected to people trying to lure in mystery shoppers. After registering with Feedback Plus, the site will send email notices of opportunities to try restaurants or stores. Shoppers are given extremely specific instructions on when to shop and what sort of things to buy, order, or return. Unlike Bzz Agents, secret shoppers do not indicate that they are involved in the experience beyond the average consumer.
After following the instructions and completing the experience, such as dining at a restaurant for lunch and ordering an appetizer as well as a meal, the consumer emails details and a copy of the receipt to Feedback Plus, who quickly reimburses the consumer.
With the increasing understanding of the importance of budgeting, free is good, and becoming a Bzz Agent and a secret shopper is a fun way to have free experiences and try new products for free. Because companies realize how important word of mouth marketing is, and how new technologies facilitate word of mouth marketing, getting honest customer feedback about products, experiences, and customer service help businesses compete in a highly competitive world.
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