Step One
The first step on a free offer (FO) site is to enter an e-mail address. And, what happens when you do that?
Well, first of all, expect an increase in your incoming e-mail. The Terms of Service (a.k.a. the "fine print") for the FO site at which you enter your e-mail address states that they believe your interests include hearing from their clients who have offers they would like to extend to you. This is often why many people sign up for a free (read disposable) e-mail account before they participate in a free offer site. That's probably a little overkill since the vast majority of the e-mail you're going to start receiving is from legitimate companies that are seeking to initiate a business relationship with you. Unless, of course, you even fear that type of occurrence, in which case you shouldn't be signing up at any site, much less an online free offer site.
Secondly, when you complete your participation in the required number of offers, some sites will want you to register a "completion verification form." This form may be sent by e-mail and often, rules will say the form must be sent to the same e-mail address with which you originally signed up. "Your results may vary." Which means check the Terms and Conditions at each site in which you choose to participate.
Step Two
After that, you will fill out your demographic information (name, address, age, etc.). This is so the FO site can verify that you are a US citizen (we apologize to our international friends, but that's a restriction found on most FO sites-we believe it's because of the shipping requirements and costs). And, your birth date information will be used to establish that you are over 18 years of age. That's another restriction: sorry, no minors without parental etc., etc., etc.
Step Thereafter
Once all the "paperwork" is done, then comes the dozen or so survey pages followed by the silver/gold/platinum ad selection pages. There will be a required number of selections you must make to qualify for the main incentive item that attracted you to the site in the first place.
Free Offer Sites - Opening Gambits