If you are looking for ways to make money online for free, focus groups are a great way to earn some serious extra cash. They are super easy to sign up for and only require you to give your honest opinions on certain goods or services. And the best part is you can work from home!
With focus groups, you can earn up to $300+ per hour depending on the project. Now that is good money!
So why are companies willing to pay so much? And what are some good platforms to use for joining focus groups? We'll go over all of that and more below!
What are Focus Groups?
All companies, even the big ones like Coca-Cola or Walmart, want to make sure that the products or services they offer (or plan to offer) are actually what their customers want. One way to figure out what customers want is by asking them in focus groups.
Focus groups are a group of 6-8 people brought together with the goal of gathering information about people's opinions or thoughts surrounding certain ideas and products. They are usually conducted by research companies.
So, when a company wants to study trends, improve their business plans, or test out a new product or idea, they will hire a research company to get information on their target market.
Overall, focus groups are used to help companies predict trends, improve products, and develop new products.
How to Make Money Online with Focus Groups
It is actually quite easy to get started making money with focus groups. The difficulty comes in matching the criteria to join in the focus group. Just because you sign up for some, does not mean you will actually be selected for it.
To make money on a regular basis you'll need to keep your profile up to date and check in regularly for new opportunities. And, of course, if you want it to be a business, treat it like one. This means always being professional and showing up on-time, ready and willing to give your honest opinions.
Here are the basic steps to start participating in focus groups:
- Find a focus group in your area or online.
- Sign up to get on the list and check back regularly for upcoming opportunities
- Once selected show up on-time, be honest, and speak up.
- Get paid. What we've all been waiting for!
Research companies are always looking for different kinds of people. Scientists, doctors, teachers, mechanics - you name it! Everyone can have a voice!
What to Expect From Focus Groups
So this is your first time participating in a focus group? Here's what you can expect.
Focus groups can either be in person or online. If they are in person, you are typically taken to a small conference or meeting room. There may be one or two moderators who will guide the discussion. And the session may be recorded.
There may also be times where the execs or other company officials will come in person just to watch and take notes.
Typically, there will be about 6-8 other people in your focus group. And they may provide light snacks and drinks. You don't need to prepare anything for the meeting and you will usually get paid in cash once it's finished.
However, with everything going more and more online, your pay may be in the form of a pre-paid Visa card, gift cards, or reward points that you can use later to buy what you want. Pay often ranges from $50 - $150 per hour but you can find some extraordinary ones paying more than $450 per hour.
One thing to note here is that there are no right or wrong answers. So feel free to speak your mind!
The Best Focus Groups for Making Money Online
When it comes to making money online for free, these companies can help you get the cash you want. And, thanks to the pandemic, many have started doing online focus groups. Some even offer pay for completing surveys in addition to doing the focus groups.
Respondent
On their website, Respondent says they are "the best place to leverage your expertise". And maybe they are. They are geared towards business professionals such as marketers, execs, software developers, and business owners.
And if you fall into any of those categories, you can make from $100 up to $700 an hour, depending on your profession. Their average payout is $140 per hour. Plus, you can earn more money by referring your friends.
The company does take a 5% processing fee but the rest they will transfer to your Paypal account.
User Interviews
User interviews is a company that is completely online. With over 2000 studies conducted every month and an average pay greater than $50 per study, you could potentially make some big bucks here.
It is very easy to sign up with User Interviews. And in addition to focus groups, they offer surveys, tests, interviews, and diary studies. With pay that can get as high as $1500.
Google User Experience Research
Because of the recent pandemic, Google UX Research has gone remote, having video chats online or conversations over the phone to conduct their research. Previously, they would do in person at their office, from a research van, or at your home or office.
You must be 18 years or older to participate and be someone who uses the internet. The studies typically last between 60-90 minutes during normal business hours. And they will give you a small thank you gift once finished. Though, not everyone will get one.
Recruit & Field
Recruit & Field was founded in 1977 by Bette Dyszel, and they have worked with some big brand name companies over the years.
They mainly do in-person focus groups, phone interviews, online surveys, and in-house product testing. They prefer regular consumers, business professionals, and medical professionals to participate in their studies.
Their average pay ranges from $100 - $275 per study.
Experience Dynamics
With Experience Dynamics, everyone is welcome. They offer a range of ways to make money in addition to online focus groups. These include phone interviews, surveys, website walk-throughs, field studies, diary studies, and usability testing.
Their main focus is on visual design and usability. And they pay between $50 - $150 per study.
Just think you could be earning $275 an hour just by sharing your opinions!
Mindswarms
Unlike the other companies listed here, Mindswarms collects data in the form of videos. They have a database of over 250,000 people in 79 countries. And they are one of the only companies that allow kids to participate.
For kids between 13-17 years of age, parents must give consent in their first video. Any child below 13 year of age must be accompanied by a parent in every video.
With Mindswarms, you can earn $50 per study which consists of 10 questions. Keep in mind though that your answers will be video taped.
Rare Patient Voice
If you are a patient or a caregiver, Rare Patient Voice might be the company for you. With Rare Patient Voice, you'll be given the opportunity to participate in interviews, surveys, and online communities with the aim of trying to improve the lives of patients with rare diseases.
For participating in these studies, you will earn $100 per hour. Not bad, considering you'll also be making a difference in many people's lives.
20 | 20
20|20 has been in the market research field since 1986. Recently, they have rebranded to become the Schlesinger Group which also owns Inspired Opinions and Focus Group.
Consumers, business professionals, healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers are welcome to join their panel. They have roundtable discussions online and at the office. In addition to that, they offer surveys, online webcam discussions, and online interviews.
With them, you'll definitely have to keep your profile updated as the ones who are picked are the ones with updated profiles. The pay ranges from $50 to $350 per study with surveys being worth $1, $5, and $10.
You can receive your pay via pre-paid Mastercards or virtual Visas. Be sure to use them quickly though because they will expire in 6 months! You can also earn points and later redeem them via Paypal or with a gift card.
Engaged Studies
Engaged Studies is based in DC but you can participate where ever you are, as in addition to focus groups, they have online discussions and website usability studies.
The more detail you provide in your profile the more projects you will be eligible for. Their studies include a wide variety of topics such as TV viewing, mock trials, and medical conditions. The pay ranges from $50 to $250 per study.
SIS International Research
Focusing on B2B, healthcare, and consumer products, SIS International Research has studies on topics ranging from skin care and appliances to cars.
They offer focus groups, interviews, and other research studies and can do in-person groups in specific cities around the world. The pay differs per study and ranges from $50 to $250 as far as I've seen.
Focus Insite
Focus Insite offers mainly online study options for those of us not yet ready to mix and mingle. They are looking for anyone from regular consumers to technical or business professionals.
They have a nice layout where you can easily see what studies they currently have available along with the pay. Pay differs depending on the study and ranges from $50 to $350.
GLG Insights
With GLG Insights, you are not simply a panelist but a Network member. GLG recruits only the top execs and industry experts. So it really is an exclusive network.
On their website, they are not really forthcoming about the pay but I imagine it can be quite hefty as these execs would not participate otherwise. Time is money. But they have stated that since 1999 they have paid over $1 billion in consulting fees to their network members.
Probe Market Research
Probe Market Research works for some big well-known brands so they are always recruiting for new studies. They conduct their interviews in-person, online, or over the phone.
Their sign-up sheet is pretty easy with simple check boxes for most of the categories. For their focus groups, pay ranges from $50 to $400.
Other Focus Groups For Making Money
- Plaza Research - Minimum pay $35-50/hour
- Field Voices - Focus groups, online surveys, in-person research, home visits
- WatchLab - Online, in-person, in-home
- dscout - Must download the App; Complete studies on the go
- Fieldwork - Also has a national database for those who don't live in their areas
- Pingpong - Pay range: 10 - 100 euros per hour
- FindFocusGroups.com - To find groups near you!
It is super easy to start making money from home today with focus groups!
All in All
Participating in focus groups can be a fun, exciting way to make some money online. They are super easy to sign up for and virtually anyone can do it.
The key to making good money with focus groups is consistency. You must always keep your profile up-to-date and regularly check in on the site to see if their are new studies available. But with focus groups, you can make some good coin.
All in all, go get that money honey!
*DISCLAIMER: The Information provided in this post is simply the opinions of the blogger and is given in the spirit of educational fun. It is not investment advice. Please do your own research and decide what is right for you before investing in any asset. If necessary, seek the help of a certified professional in discussing your options.