How To Join A Focus Group And Make Extra Money In 2024

Want to make money for your opinions? Joining a paid focus group is a fantastic way to get paid just to tell companies what you really think about them.

In this article, we will discuss all about focus groups - how much you can earn, where you can find opportunities, as well as the pros and cons. 

An Overview of Joining a Focus Group: A Primer

Market research companies conduct in-person and online focus groups for companies looking to understand what people think about their products and services.

To get these insights, research companies will look for people matching a specific profile and ask them to share their honest opinions. The focus group participants can be paid by the hour, though most likely, they'll be compensated per focus group.

During these user interviews and surveys, participants will have to answer questions based on their experience testing the products and services or give out information about the research topic. 

How Much Can Joining a Focus Group Earn You? 

Focus group opportunities pay different amounts per survey. 

Some of the factors affecting the amount being paid are the niche in which the research is being performed and the study location. 

The average payout for focus groups is around $25 per hour, according to ZipRecruiter. 

This amount can go as high as $35 hourly in certain cases, depending on the kind of research being conducted. 

How Much Does it Cost to Join a Focus Group? 

Most focus groups allow you to register on their websites for free. You can fill out an application with your personal details and wait to be called if the recruiters feel you are a good fit. 

The number of focus groups you’ll be accepted for depends on the kind of profile the company is searching for. You are shortlisted only if you are a good fit for the market research. 

Where Can You Find Focus Group Gigs? 

There are a lot of paid clinical trials and focus groups that you should sign up for to increase your chances of getting called to participate. Here’s how to find these opportunities:

Where to Independently Find Focus Group Work

You can find focus independently, though it can take a longer time to land a gig this way. Some local market research companies can take out ads in your area looking for people to join their group. Most often, these are in-person focus groups.

You can also search on social media and forums, especially those that are gig worker-centric. People will often share lots of these opportunities there, and you may find an online focus group to join.

Gig Economy Companies That Offer Focus Group Work

To make things easier for you, here is a short list of legit consumer research companies that you can start applying to: 

• Broad Focus Clinical 
• Ascendancy Research
• Focus Insite 
• AcurianHealth 
• Tech Research Studies

Visit their website and check out the locations they’re conducting research in. If you find paid research studies being carried out near you, it is a good idea to apply right away. 

Remember to follow their social media pages to stay updated with the latest studies conducted. 

Online focus groups also allow you to overcome the location barrier and participate anyway. 

Since it is free to submit an application, you should register to ensure you get selected whenever your profile matches an ongoing study.

Applying to multiple focus group companies allows you to maximize your chances of being called to participate and get paid. 

Why You Should Consider Joining Paid Focus Groups As a Side Hustle 

A focus group provides people with a legitimate opportunity to earn side income by answering questions about their experience. 

Here are some of the main reasons why someone can consider participating in a focus group as a side hustle: 

• Low stress involved: In many cases, the questions asked are fairly simple, which makes it a stress-free way to earn money. 
• No skills: Unlike some other side gigs, you don’t need any previous skills to be join focus groups. As long as you fit the criteria for the study, you will get paid just for your honest thoughts during user interviews. 
• Try out new things: Focus group studies allow you to try out new products from big companies before they hit the market, which can be exciting if you're interested in the topic of the research. 

Problems With Joining a Focus Group 

Like any side hustle, there are downsides to focus groups. 

In many cases, they may not be fruitful just because there isn't any relevant research conducted. 

Here is a quick overview of the problems with joining paid focus groups: 

• Payment problems: Some paid focus groups may take a lot of time to pay you. Although rare, some companies may miss out on your payment, which can cause a lot of inconvenience. 
• Personal information security: A market research company may make money by selling your personal information to third parties without your knowledge.
• Large number of scams: Although we've mentioned some legit focus group opportunities, there are many fake ones online.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Focus Groups Pay?

The amount that focus groups pay varies. In some cases, it may be as high as $100-150 per session or near the average of $25 per session.

Do Companies Still Do Focus Groups?

Yes, companies still do paid focus group studies with people to test their new products. Research is conducted in all kinds of areas, opening up opportunities for people from all walks of life to apply.