How to Get More
Mystery Shopping Assignments
Learning how to get more mystery shopping assignments starts with doing excellent work. Mystery shopping companies want dependable shoppers who follow instructions, submit accurate reports, and meet deadlines. When you consistently deliver quality work, you improve your chances of receiving additional opportunities.
However, even experienced mystery shoppers sometimes find themselves running out of available assignments. That's when expanding your options becomes important.
Over the years, I've learned that getting more mystery shopping work involves three important things: submitting high-quality reports, building relationships with schedulers, and registering with enough companies to maintain a steady selection of assignments.
Want more help getting started? My book, Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, walks you through finding assignments, completing shops, writing reports, and avoiding many of the mistakes new shoppers make.
High-Quality Reports Make the Difference
If there's one thing I would emphasize to anyone wanting more mystery shopping assignments, it's the importance of submitting excellent reports.
Mystery shopping companies depend on accurate information to help their clients evaluate employees, customer service, and business operations. Your report is the final product they're paying you to deliver.
A good report should be accurate, objective, complete, and easy to understand.
Follow every instruction carefully. Answer all required questions, provide specific observations, and make sure your written comments support the answers you've selected.
Before submitting a report, review it for spelling mistakes, missing information, and inconsistencies.
If you repeatedly submit incomplete or inaccurate reports, companies may become reluctant to offer you additional assignments.
On the other hand, consistently delivering high-quality reports helps establish your reputation as a dependable mystery shopper.
Your reputation is one of your most valuable assets in mystery shopping.
Build Strong Relationships With Schedulers
Schedulers are responsible for finding qualified shoppers to complete assignments for their clients.
Developing a professional relationship with schedulers can help you learn about additional opportunities.
One of the best ways to build that relationship is by submitting quality reports and meeting deadlines.
Schedulers appreciate shoppers who complete assignments correctly without requiring repeated reminders or corrections.
If a scheduler contacts you about an assignment, respond professionally. If you accept the job, complete it as promised.
Occasionally, problems arise. A business may unexpectedly close, or circumstances may prevent you from completing the assignment.
Contact your scheduler promptly rather than waiting until the deadline passes.
Good communication demonstrates professionalism and helps maintain trust.
However, having a good relationship with a scheduler doesn't guarantee a continuous supply of assignments. Sometimes the available opportunities simply run out.
How to Get More Mystery Shopping Assignments by Expanding Your Options
Even if you're an excellent mystery shopper, you can eventually exhaust the assignments available through your regular companies.
Some businesses limit how frequently the same shopper can evaluate a location. Other companies may have only a few clients in your area.
That's why registering with additional legitimate mystery shopping companies is important.
You don't have to register with every company you find. However, working with several companies gives you access to a wider variety of assignments.
One company might specialize in restaurants, while another offers apartment evaluations, automotive assignments, or retail shops.
By expanding your registrations, you're less dependent on any single company for work.
Remember to keep your shopper profiles updated. Companies may use your location, experience, and other qualifications when determining which assignments are available to you.
Check Job Boards Regularly
Many mystery shopping companies maintain online job boards where registered shoppers can review available assignments.
Make it a habit to check these boards regularly.
Some assignments are filled quickly, especially those offering attractive payments or convenient locations.
You may also receive emails announcing new opportunities or assignments that schedulers are having difficulty filling.
Read these messages carefully, but don't accept a job simply because it's available.
Always review the requirements, compensation, travel distance, and reporting expectations before committing.
A well-paying assignment can become less attractive when it requires several hours of additional work.
Consider Different Types of Assignments
Another way to increase your opportunities is to become comfortable with different kinds of mystery shopping.
If you've primarily completed restaurant evaluations, consider trying retail stores, apartment communities, automotive dealerships, or business verifications.
Each type of assignment has different requirements.
Some involve simple observations, while others require detailed narratives, photographs, or specific conversations with employees.
Start with assignments you feel comfortable completing and gradually expand your experience.
The more types of assignments you're qualified to perform, the more opportunities may become available.
Don't Sacrifice Quality for Quantity
It's tempting to accept numerous assignments when your schedule is full of opportunities.
However, accepting more work than you can comfortably complete can lead to rushed reports, missed deadlines, and mistakes.
That can damage the reputation you've worked hard to establish.
I'd rather complete fewer assignments correctly than accept too many and risk submitting poor-quality work.
Remember, mystery shopping companies need reliable shoppers, not simply shoppers who accept the most jobs.
Keep Building Your Mystery Shopping Opportunities
Learning how to get more mystery shopping assignments takes time, patience, and consistent effort.
Start by delivering excellent reports. Build professional relationships with schedulers and demonstrate that you can be trusted to complete assignments properly.
When your regular opportunities become limited, register with additional companies to expand your options.
Above all, never forget that the quality of your work today can influence the assignments you're offered tomorrow.
That's one of the most important lessons I've learned from mystery shopping.
Get more mystery shopping assignments related reading:
How to Write a Better Mystery Shopping Report
How to Choose Your First Mystery Shopping Assignment
How to Stay Organized as a Mystery Shopper
About the Author
I'm Mystery Don (Donald J. Servais, Jr.), and I've completed mystery shopping assignments for restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, automobile dealerships, new-home builders, and other businesses.
I created MystShopper.com to share what I've learned from my own experiences, help new shoppers avoid common mistakes, and explain how legitimate mystery shopping really works.
I'm also the author of Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, which includes beginner-friendly advice, real-world mystery shopping experiences, and a directory of more than 150 mystery shopping companies.
Drawing on my 45-year career in television, I've also written 7 Keys to Success in a Changing Television Industry, a guide for people interested in building a career in television and video.
My goal is simple: honest guidance without the hype.
We're always looking for new faces to visit different places.
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