How to Earn Money From Paid Focus Groups

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Updated: October 16, 2024

How to Make Money from Focus Groups

Focus groups are a form of market research where companies gather small groups of people to discuss products, services, advertisements, or other topics. The goal is to get in-depth feedback and opinions from consumers. Focus groups typically last 1-2 hours and can be conducted in-person or online. Participants are compensated for their time, usually with cash or gift cards.

Paid Focus Groups in Brief

Focus Groups cover a wide range of topics - everything from food and beverages to technology, healthcare, politics, and more.

● Focus Groups usually have 6-10 participants led by a moderator

● The discussion is often recorded for later analysis

● Compensation typically ranges from $50-$300 per session

● You can participate in multiple focus groups, but not too frequently for the same company/topic

How Much Can You Make?

Focus group earnings can vary widely, but here are some typical compensation ranges:

• In-person focus groups: $75-$300 for 1-2 hours
• Online focus groups: $50-$150 for 1-2 hours
• Multi-session studies: $300-$1000+ for longer commitments, such as mock jury focus groups which can take multiple days and pay more than $750
• Product testing: $50-$200 for testing and providing feedback for 1-3 hours

Many people are able to qualify for and participate in dozens of focus groups per year. Treating it as occasional extra income rather than consistent part-time work is probably a realistic approach.

That said, some people are able to turn focus groups into a more substantial side hustle. For example, one participant reported earning an average of $2,745 per month over a 6-month period by applying and participating in as many focus groups as possible. This shows the potential for those who are very proactive about finding focus groups to qualify for.

Sign Up for Focus Groups

Sign up with reputable market research companies that have been running focus groups for a long time and pay people promptly. The first step is to register with legitimate focus group recruiting companies. Some well-known options include:

Focus Group Name	Website
Unparalleled Market Research	UnparalleledMRS.com
Hagen Sinclair Research Recruiting	HagenSinclair.com
User Interviews	userinterviews.com
Sago (Formerly Focus Pointe Global)	sago.com
Gromotion Marketing Research	gromotion.co.uk
Advanced Focus	ncedfocus.com
P&K Testing	PKTesting.com
Focus Scope	FocuScope.com
Focus Crossroads	scrossroads.com
Media Science Panel	MediaSciencePanel.com
Focus Forward Focus Groups	fffocusgroup.com
Advanced Opinions	advancedopinions.com
L&E Research	leresearch.com
FocusRoom	sroom.com
FocusGroup.com	focusgroup.com
Mindswarms	mindswarms.com
Recruit And Field	recruitandfield.com
AlderWeiner	AlderWeiner.com
Curion Insights	CurionInsights.com
Respondent	respondent.com
Probe Market Research	probemarket.com
Alpha Buzz Group	AlphaBuzzGroup
Murray Hill National	Murray Hill
SIS Market Research	sismarketresearch.com
FieldWork	fieldwork.com/join
FocusInSite	FocusInSite.com
PRC Market Research	PRC Market Research
Fusion Focus / RRU Research	Fusion Focus - RRU Research
Schlesinger Group	schlesingergroup.com
Nelson Recruiting	Nelson Recruiting
YouGov	YouGov.com

Create profiles or contact the above focus group sites to increase your opportunity to get paid for focus groups and you will be reached out if you are a good fit by the moderators. You can also fill out focus group surveys proactively without waiting to be matched for an upcoming focus group. Be sure to fill out your your demographic and interests completely and accurately.

How to Get Invited to Paid Focus Groups

1. Check for opportunities regularly
Most companies will email you when relevant studies become available. However, it's a good idea to proactively check their websites 1-2 times per week for new listings. The most desirable focus groups fill up quickly.

2. Be honest in screener surveys
When you see an interesting opportunity, you'll typically need to complete a short screening survey to see if you qualify. Always answer honestly - companies have ways to verify information and catch people who try to game the system.

3. Act fast when invited
If you're selected for a focus group, respond promptly to confirm your participation. Have your schedule handy so you can quickly check your availability.

4. Show up and participate fully
Arrive on time (or log in early for online sessions) and actively engage in the discussion. Recruiters keep track of reliable participants for future opportunities.

How to Earn More From Focus Groups as a Side Income

Cast a wide net: Apply to many different types of studies to increase your chances of qualifying.

Be flexible with timing: Groups scheduled during work hours often pay more.

Look for multi-session studies: These longer commitments typically offer higher total compensation.

Check local options: In-person focus groups in major cities tend to pay more than online ones. Cities like the following have a very high demand for focus groups and pay more than online groups:

Cities with Best Focus Groups
New York City, NY	Chicago, IL	Los Angeles, CA
Houston, TX	Phoenix, AZ	Philadelphia, PA
San Antonio, TX	San Diego, CA	Dallas, TX
San Jose, CA	Austin, TX	Jacksonville, FL
Fort Worth, TX	Columbus, OH	San Francisco, CA
Charlotte, NC	Indianapolis, IN	Seattle, WA
Denver, CO	Washington, DC	Boston, MA

Build a track record: As you participate in more studies, you may get invited to higher-paying opportunities. You can also form relationships with focus group recruiters by being reliable, and call them directly for focus group surveys and upcoming projects they are running before everyone else signs up.

Refer your friends: Some companies offer referral bonuses if you bring in new participants.

How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?

Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:

Make Money from Focus Groups and Class Actions

Applying for focus groups can reward you with hundreds or even thousands of dollars per year just for sharing your opinion in a fun setting. A great benefit is many focus groups provide drinks, snacks, and even lunch or dinner. You can also make money from class actions by regularly checking open class action settlement websites, filing claims for eligible cases you qualify for, and submiting clasim forms before deadlines.