I love doing Focus Groups. I love the $100 an hour they pay me for participating as well. I would like to help you participate in these activities and make the same stipend I do. First, I will explain what Focus Groups are. Next I will tell you how to become a participant if these group activities appeal to you. Finally I will give you some tips so they call you back again and again.
Focus Groups
A Focus Group is generally about 6 to 15 individuals who sit in room around a conference table and talk about a subject which a client organization wants first hand feedback from the public. They provide a group leader called a Facilitator to announce the subject and keep the group on task answering the questions of the client organization. Representatives of the client generally sit in an adjacent room with a one way mirror and a video recorder with sound recording capabilities to find out the responses of the Focus Group. They then summarize and submit this information to various departments of the client agency involved with the project.
First, each person in the room introduces themselves, announces their job title and the Company they work for. If you don’t work you can still do this type of activity. For example tell them that you are a freelance writer for Associated Content, an online content publishing company. If you are retired there are focus groups for retirees, since this is one of the fastest growing demographics in the United States. It pays to look neat, well groomed and fairly well dressed, although business casual attire is fine. The facilitator then introduces himself or herself. However, the clients identity is usually keep secret during the Focus Group discussion, to prevent people from showing either a bias to or against the client company.
Topics often include advertising campaigns. You are shown three different approaches and are asked to choose the one that you thought was the most effective and why it was so effective. One Focus actually served three types of ice cream and the participants were asked to pick their favorite of the three and state the reasons it was their favorite. Often you can ask for to be in Focus Groups in your area of expertise such as information technology, communications, media, etc. These specific areas tend to pay more per session. You can also tell them the minimal stipend you will be willing to participate for. I started getting $100 and hour, occasionally $150 and hour, but I noticed they were making lower and lower offers. I called up the Focus Group organizer and asked her to “please only consider me for Focus Group, which pay $100 per hour or more”. They did and that problem was solved.
I was in Focus Group to reviewed MS Windows XP software before its Beta Release. Most topics have been to evaluate advertising and slogans. However, I have done box design for products. I was also asked to comment on cell phone design and cell phone functionality as well as to discuss many other diverse topics.
How To Participate In Focus Groups
There are many companies that sponsor Focus Groups and maintain a participant data base. Shugoll Research is a Bethesda, Maryland based company which I have been doing Focus Group participation for over many years. American Home Research in Rockville, Maryland is another. AAPS specializes on health issues. However, look in your local newspaper for research firms and Focus Group offers near you. Also just search the Web for the name of hundreds of Focus Group and research Firms in your area. Phone them to be included in their data base for future topics as well as current.
How To Keep Getting Call Backs
Dress appropriately, speak clearly, participate in the discussions, don’t fall asleep (I saw this happen once), offer insights, pay attention even to what others say and don’t be afraid to disagree with them, do what your facilitator says – these will get you call backs again and again.
How are you paid?
You are usually full cash in an envelope at the conclusion of the Focus Group Meeting. Sometime a check is given instead.
Enjoy this money making activity and have a good time, I do. Please read my next article on How To make $100 An Hour In Mock Trials. You will be happy you did.
