Do you want to earn money by participating in paid focus groups? This post has everything you need to know about making money with market research studies.
I participated in my first focus group during my sophomore year in college. It was for a new radio station. The 2-hour segment required me to listen to music snippets and rate each song on a scale of 1 to 10. After the session, I received an envelope with $100 in cash — not bad for a few hours of easy listening.
Over the years, I have participated in various focus groups where I have earned cash or gift cards.
Interestingly, I did not apply for these opportunities; They came because I used the product or gave it as a gift.
Earn money by participating in paid focus groups
If you want to earn some extra cash by participating in online focus groups, there are many places to apply. Best of all, these opportunities pay well, typically $50-$150 for an hour of your time. And often, you get free products to sample, a nice little perk!
For short online and telephone surveys, expect to earn $5-$20 for 15-20 minutes.
Are you ready to cash in on the given focus group opportunity?
Here is a list of places to find consumer research firms
1. Respondent
Launched in 2016, Respondent A market research firm that offers extensive focus group studies. Just create an account and browse the various ongoing projects. Some focus groups are in person, while others are online.
A few researches were going on when I searched the platform:
1) Share your digital banking experience – $45 for 30 minutes
2) Men’s Fashion Website Testing – $50 for 60 minutes
According to their website, the average hourly wage is $140 per hour, and payments are made through PayPal. You can earn money by referring friends and family to the platform. If one of your referrals completes a study, you’ll earn $20!
Be sure to read our full respondent review.
2. Focus groups by Schlesinger
Focus group by Schlesinger (which acquired Focus Point Global) conducts market research studies through online surveys, phone interviews, in-person events and product testing opportunities.
To participate, fill out the online application and respond to the study you are eligible for. For in-person focus groups, you must be located in the United States, but online opportunities are available worldwide. For every study you participate in, you’ll earn points that can be traded for gift cards and Visa debit cards. 100 points worth $1.00 in cash and rewards.
3. User Interviews
User interviews Recruits people for focus groups, surveys, and website testing gigs offered from the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. Studies are conducted online, over the phone, and in person, and the average payout is $40-$200 for an hour of your time. You can read our full review on user interviews to learn more.
4. Adler Weiner Research
Adler Weiner Research Focus group participants were recruited within driving distance of Chicago, Los Angeles, and Orange County. They have been in business since 1960 and conduct market research through focus groups, in-depth interviews, in-home visits and shop-along visits. To apply, fill out their online questionnaire and wait for an invitation via email. Adler Weiner Research has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
5. Alibaba
alibaba Conducts various types of user studies, including surveys, interviews, and usability studies. Participants will receive monetary compensation of a check, coupon or gift card for their participation.
6. Field work
field work managed by Paying focus groups and individual studies nationwide in Seattle, San Francisco, Orange County, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lee, and New York City, but they also set up temporary locations for their clients. As needed. They conduct general studies and healthcare studies and actively seek nurses, doctors, physician assistants and other medical professionals. To get started, fill the online application and wait for the invitation. Studies are often conducted through a focus group format, but they also include opportunities for taste-testing, product trials, phone interviews, and online studies. Compensation ranges from $50 to $100.
7. Find focus groups
Find focus groups An online platform that lists focus groups nationwide. On their site, you can browse by location, see what subjects are available and how much each study pays. This company is not a market research firm but a focus group marketplace. According to their website, they check all the opportunities listed on their site.
8. Google Usability
Google User Experience Research Conducts consumer research on own online products and services. Studies are conducted online and in person, and for each study you complete, you’ll receive a small gift, such as a gift card from a major retailer or a Visa or MasterCard debit card.
9. Apex Focus Group
Apex Focus Group Conducts focus groups, clinical trials, and paid survey panels in the United States. Studies are conducted both in-person and online, and participants must have a high school diploma. Average compensation is $35-$75 for a single session and $350-$750 for a multi-session study. Apex Focus Group has a B+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
10. Appointment of Nelson
Launched in 1980, NELSON APPOINTMENT Conducts paid focus groups, surveys, phone and web interviews, taste tests, new app tests and mock juries in the US. First, fill the online profile and wait for the relevant opportunity. Upon completion of the study, the hosting company will pay by cash, check or Visa gift card.
11. MindSwarms
MindSwarms is a third-party platform where you share your ideas via video on your webcam, smartphone or tablet. To join, fill out the online application and answer questions via video for the study you qualify for. Participants earn $10-$50 for each survey they complete; Payment is made through PayPal.
12. Nichols Research
Nichols Research Conducts consumer research through focus groups, surveys, personal and telephone interviews, product testing, online studies, and more. To apply, sign up online and wait for an opportunity via email. Participants will receive a gift or honorarium for their time and participation. Nichols Research has an A+ rating with the BBB.
13. Probe Market Research
Probe Market Research Offers a wide range of opportunities such as focus groups, online surveys, mystery shopping gigs, mock juries, product trials and more. Focus groups pay between $50-$400 per study. Probe has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau for Market Research.
14. L&E Research
L&E Research Conducting market research since 2011. They offer online, phone, and in-person studies in Austin, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Minneapolis, New York City, Raleigh, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Tampa. Many of their studies are for healthcare professionals, but they also have scope for focus groups and everyday consumers. Average salary is $50-$100, tuition paid in cash, check or Visa gift card. L&E Research has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau.
15. Survey junkies
Survey junkie An online platform that rewards users (from the US, Canada and Australia) with points for participating in surveys, focus groups, product testing gigs and web searches. You will earn Amazon gift cards or cash points through your PayPal account for each study or survey. With Survey Junkie, your account must reach a 500-point balance ($5.00) before you can request payment. Survey Junkie also has a mobile app so you can participate in studies on the go. If you want to know more, you can check out our review on Survey Junkie.
16. GLG Insights
GLG Insights A market research firm that conducts studies in a wide variety of professional industries. Research is collected using phone interviews, in-person research studies, and simple online surveys. With GLG Insights, you set up your profile and hourly rate to participate and wait for invitations to study that match your professional skills. Once you complete a study, you will be paid by direct deposit.
17. Ipsos
Ipsos Recruits individuals to participate in market research through paid online surveys. They accept users from all over the world and it’s easy to get started. Sign up for a free account, verify your email address and phone number, and answer a few simple profile questions You can start the survey immediately, or you can complete the profile questions to match you with more opportunities. For every survey you take, you’ll earn points that can be traded for digital gift cards at major retailers, cash through PayPal, or a Visa card. 500 points equals $5 in cash!
18. Ping pong
ping pong Conducts video research studies for various companies. With PingPong, you can earn from €10 to €100, sometimes more. However, you will need a computer or laptop with a webcam and mic and an internet speed of at least 20 Mbps Payments are distributed via PayPal or TransferWise and they accept participants worldwide.
19. Recruitment + field
Recruitment + field A market research firm that conducts consumer, B2B and healthcare studies. Studies are conducted through in-person focus groups, online surveys, phone surveys, and product testing gigs. You will be compensated for each study in which you participate. Recruit + Field has been in business since 1977 and they accept participants from all over the world.
Conclusion
Participating in paid focus group studies can be an excellent way to bring in extra cash. You’ll need to fill out some preliminary questions to see if you’re eligible to study, but once you’re accepted, it’s an easy and flexible way to make money from home.
I recommend creating a separate email account for these activities, as you will receive many emails from these companies Another thing to consider is that if you are not comfortable sharing information like your age, gender and household income, then this is probably not the right opportunity for you. Market research firms want to know these details, including behaviors, thoughts and opinions.
While there are plenty of legitimate focus groups to take advantage of, you need to be aware of scams. Follow these simple scam prevention tips, and research companies extensively before committing to an opportunity.
Have you participated in focus groups for extra money? We’d love to hear about your experiences!
Originally published on September 3, 2015. Content updated March 2023.
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