A paid research study can be a great way to earn money fast for stay at home mom income.
What are focus groups and paid research studies?
And how can you do focus groups for instant cash?
Learn the answers to these questions and more.
What are Focus Groups?
What are focus groups?
If you haven’t checked out focus groups for instant cash in your area, I highly recommend you do so.
They can be fun and profitable.
A focus group is a paid research study of a group of similar people, called together to evaluate a product or service.
This might be a product that is going to come out onto the market soon, or one that is already available that the manufacturer is considering revising.
A manufacturer will hire a research firm to conduct a paid research study, and the firm will pay individuals to come and give their unbiased opinions on the product or service.
Focus groups for cash are sporadic, and cannot be depended upon for a regular source of income, but they often pay well when you qualify for one.
The amount of money each focus group is worth will vary, but generally, you are looking at $50-200 for 1-3 hours of your time.
Focus Groups for Instant Cash
In order to participate in a paid research study, you need to be put into the firm’s database. Find market research firms in your area at FocusGroups.com.
Paid research study groups are so interesting and entertaining! I have done them based on:
- Political TV Ads
- Flavored Snacks
- Paper Towels
- Art Supplies
- Flavored Beer
- House Wines
I’ve had research firms feed me lunch and dinner in addition to compensation. One time, I qualified for a $150 focus group about pens.
When I got there, the research firm had over booked the study. They took me aside, told me I was no longer needed, then they paid me the $150 anyway and I got to go home! It was a 3-hour study for everyone else.
They almost always pay in cash, and it is your responsibility to report your income to the IRS. Unless you make over $600 from any one firm in a year, you will not receive a 1099 from them.
Network with Other Participants
It is an extremely good idea to network at any focus groups that you attend. Often, other paid research study participants will know of additional research firms in your area that you are unfamiliar with. You can even learn about different sources of quick cash in your community.
Sign Up Your Spouse
I sign my husband up for the research firm databases as well. He has participated in several paid research studies himself over the years, usually before or after work, sometimes on his lunch hour. One time they paid him $200 to come into their facility before work and shave with a new type of razor! He came in three times during one week, used the new razor, and collected his cash.
Qualifying for a Paid Research Study
Its really important that you give your best contact information to the firms. I give them my cell phone. This way, when they are qualifying people for their paid research studies, they get a hold of me right away.
Some firms call almost once a week, others once in six months. It depends on how busy they are.
When the research firm contacts you, they will have a study that you may qualify for. They will call you and ask you a couple dozen questions, to see if you meet the exact requirements of the manufacturer. Don’t be discouraged if you do not qualify. It is hard to tell exactly what the manufacturer is looking for. Just take the time to answer all their questions, and make sure that the firm knows that you are not put-out doing so.
Most of these firms are not allowed, to use the same participant on too many studies too close together. For instance, one firm may require that you have not completed a study within the last 90 days, while another may be six months.
One of the first questions they will ask you when trying to qualify you for a study, is if you have participated in a study within the last X amount of months. I always answer this question based on when I did my last study with that firm, not with any firm that I work with. This seems to work well.
Also, when they ask you the qualifying questions, try not to be too firm on your answers. Words like “always” and “never” can disqualify you for a study very easily. You don’t want to be indecisive, but saying you would “never” try a particular brand isn’t the best idea. It helps to listen to the person qualifying you as well. Sometimes, they give you little “clues” along the way, based on their tone of voice or inflection. Pick up on these clues (don’t lie) and you may qualify for more studies.
Middle of the road answers are likewise not good. Keep in mind that if you just choose “sometimes” all the time does not make you a good candidate either.