Most of us have heard of focus groups in passing, but have you ever done one? Focus groups are one of the easiest ways to make quick cash, and they’re all over— if you know where to look.
This section will give you the inside scoop on how to find and participate in focus groups. With a few secret tips on getting studies, you’ll be well on your way to earning some easy side income.
Take it from me— I’ve done hundreds of studies— and thank yourself later.
Focus Group Tips
Here are some general tips and things to know as it relates to focus groups:
- Apply to as many databases and fill out as many screeners as you can. This will maximize your opportunity of getting accepted to a market research study.
- Many companies claim to only let you participate once every 6 months, though this should not stop you in your tracks. Not only have I occasionally done multiple studies with the same company within said 6 months; but I’ve also often done dozens of studies within a 6-month period with different companies (mostly pre-recovery).
- Don’t forget that focus group income is technically taxable! As long as you earn under $600 from any given company in any given year, you should be fine though. If your earnings from any specific market research firm exceed $600, you’ll likely receive a 1099 in the mail (as I can attest to).
- Oftentimes, market research companies will pay you a referral or finder’s fee if someone you know qualifies for and completes a study. In other cases, they may pay you to refer someone to their database. This is another good way to earn a little extra cash.
- Online surveys are not focus groups! I’m not saying you shouldn’t do short web-based surveys, if you enjoy them, but they generally pay much less and are much less engaging than actual focus groups.
- You don’t need to live in a large metro area to qualify for focus groups! Sure, it helps, but it matters less than you may think – especially in this post-COVID, Zoom-based society we now live in. All in all, don’t let your location deter you!
- Some companies will hold raffles for early and on-time arrivals for in-person studies. In other words, you can often win another $50 or $100 just for showing up on time.
- Sometimes, companies will “overrecruit” for studies, meaning some participants will be designated “backups,” and get paid just to go home (or log off Zoom). Often, companies will not count backup participants as having participated in a study (for the purposes of the 6-month rule).
- It sometimes helps to get to know recruiters (those who usually talk to you on the phone to see if you qualify for a study). That’s because they’ll often help point you in the right direction in terms of what to say to qualify. In the end, just remember they get paid for getting you into a study.
- Be (mostly) honest with your answers! At the very least, if you’re ever going to fudge the truth, make sure to remember what you said. Recruiters will ask you the same questions again– often multiple times– to weed out the liars. Some companies even threaten a ban for giving false responses– though I’ve never been banned from any company, since I’m again, (mostly) honest, and otherwise cover my tracks.
- Some companies will pay cash, while others will pay check or gift card. Debit gift cards (issued by a major bank, like Visa) are a pretty common incentive in the market research world.
- Likewise, some companies will pay immediately or on the spot (mostly in-person studies), while others can take weeks– or even months– to pay out. If you end up doing a few studies within a short timeframe, it might help to document those that have paid you already and those that haven’t.
- Add focus group company email addresses to your address book, so you don’t miss their screeners (or incentives, after completing a study).
- Craigslist can be a great tool for finding local focus groups! Search for “focus group” or any similar search term (e.g., “market research”) under Craigslist’s “gigs” and “jobs” sections for the best results.
- Social media can also be a great tool to stay in the know. Focus group companies will often post their newest studies to Facebook, for instance, before anywhere else.
- Focus groups can take different formats. Some will be one-on-one interviews; others will entail group discussions. As alluded to, some will be in-person and others will be online (or even over the phone). Even forum-like online bulletin boards are a common format.
- Some focus groups may only last 30 minutes, while others may take many hours (or even many hours spread out over many days, in the case of online bulletin boards).
- Finally, have fun! Focus groups are meant to be relaxed, and researchers want to know your honest opinion. Giving articulate and well-thought-out insights may not only increase your odds of getting invited to future studies– but may qualify you to participate in any next phases, in the case of multipart studies.
Focus Group Firm Database
Location: Charlotte, NC
Remote Studies?: Unknown
Pay: $25 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Chicago, Los Angeles, Orange County, CA
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $150 and up
Payment Method: Cash, check, gift card, prepaid debit card (depending on study)
Location: Los Angeles
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $150 and up
Payment Method: Check (remote); cash (in-person)
Location: Austin, TX
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Varies
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Boston area
Remote Studies?: Occasionally
Pay: Generally $75 and up
Payment Method: Various (gift card, check, PayPal, Venmo, electronic bank transfer)
Contact Design (AKA Survey Feeds)
Location: Boston
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $50 and up
Payment Method: PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, Amazon gift card, check
Location: Palm City, FL
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $50 and up
Payment Method: Cash (in-person); check (remote)
Location: App-based
Remote Studies?: Yes (via dScout app)
Pay: Varies
Payment Method: PayPal
- Note: Most dScout studies require you to upload video responses. Also, dScout has “Express Missions” that you can qualify for on the spot, and only take a few minutes. Express Missions generally pay $5 and up.
Location: Sacramento
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Various (U.S.)
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Usually prepaid debit card (depending on study)
Location: Various (U.S.)
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $250 and up
Payment Method: ACH or check
Note: First Court exclusively recruits for mock juror studies. Studies typically take all day.
Location: Dallas
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $75 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: NYC
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: NYC and Orange County, CA
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: PayPal
Location: Various (U.S.)
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Unknown
Payment Method: Unknown
- Note: Frank Luntz’s studies are generally politically-based, and recorded for— and aired on— television.
Location: Miami
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $50-$300
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Northern California
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $25 and up
Payment Method: Check, Visa gift card, Amazon gift card, PayPal (depending on study)
Location: Portland, OR
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Various (U.S.)
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Prepaid debit card
Location: Online
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: $50 and up
Payment Method: PayPal
Location: Los Angeles
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: $50 and up
Payment Method: Cash, check, or Visa gift card (depending on study)
Location: Des Plaines, IL
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: $50-$400
Payment Method: Check/prepaid debit card (depending on study)
Location: New Jersey
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $50 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Various (US and Europe)
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Prepaid debit card
Location: San Diego
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $85-$250
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Chicago
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100 and up
Payment Method: Unknown
Location: Atlanta
Remote Studies?: Yes
Pay: Generally $100-$200
Payment Method: PayPal or Amazon gift card
- Note: Well Played Research exclusively recruits for video game-related studies.
Do you have any additional tips or focus group companies for our database? Please don’t hesitate to contact us or drop a comment below!