Working from home can be very successful, but it also takes a lot of work.  One way of successfully working from home is to be a mystery shopper or as some call it, "secret shopper."  A secret shopper evaluates businesses and rates them on the service that they provide. 

The Top Ten Tips for Being a Successful Mystery Shopper:

1. Be very thorough. If you're going to mystery shop, do it right.  They're paying you for a service, make sure you are thorough and get every detail.

2. Accept only assignments that you can complete. Never accept an assignment you can complete during the time frame indicated.

3. Emergencies are acceptable. If you have an emergency and can't complete your assignment please contact your scheduler immediately.  They get paid based on you completing your assignment.  Be considerate!

4. Dress appropriately.  Look the part the of the shopper.  If you're going to a fast food restaurant, then it would be okay to dress very casual.  However, if you have a shop that is more upscale dress the part.  You're an actor/actress, play the part and enjoy yourself.

5.Evaluation and Submission:  Make sure that you complete all paperwork and submit your assignments in a timely manner. Once again, be considerate of the scheduler.  If you can't get your paperwork submitted in a timely manner, contact your scheduler.  Please note, if this happens more than once, they may drop you as a mystery shopper.  They need contractors that will complete the assignments in a timely manner.

6. Please complete your paperwork correctly:  Use a spellcheck program and check your spelling and grammar before submitting your paperwork.

7. Check the website often:  In order to get the best shops, you need to check the website often.  The early bird definitely gets the worm when it comes to mystery shopping.

8. Photos:  If you're required to take a photo, then take it!  Then make sure it's uploaded with your submission.  You many even want to take two photos of everything. You never know when something could happen and accidently delete your photo.  Make sure that the photographs are clear and show what is required for that assignment.

9. Honesty: Please be honest.  Mystery shopping is an important job.  Companies and consumers are depending on you.  Saying everything is great, is not what's best for the consumer or the company that you are representing.  However, if it is great, then say it!

10. Social Security Numbers and Bank Account.  Please be careful about giving out your private information. Please check out the company thoroughly before giving them any information and remember when you give out this information, you're doing it at your own risk.