Just about everyone I know is interested in making some money (esp if you are unemployed). So I put together a list of the Focus & Research groups that I am registered with in the Dallas area. There are more in other cities, just go digging around. I understand Austin has quite the plethora of medical studies. So if you’re a broke student and don’t mind being poked and prodded then go find them. Those pay upwards to $1,000 or more and they last a while longer. There are some of those in Dallas but most of the time you have to have something “wrong” with you to qualify for them and I’m pretty normal aside from allergies so I don’t do them.
The way it works is first you must get yourself registered in their database (see sites below). At some point you will get an email or phone call to let you know of a study happening, they will ask a few questions to see if you qualify. If you do qualify for the study/focus group they will give you the date, time and location. The calls are usually a week before so it’s good to be flexible. Expect to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours in the discussion. On payment, 95% of the time you get paid immediately afterward, some pay cash, most pay in check form.
The timing of the phone calls or emails are completely sporadic. It’s important that you answer the call because they don’t generally call back. I’ve even caught myself putting a conference call on mute at work to answer the call on my cell! As far as emails are concerned, I’ve setup filters in Gmail to have them forwarded right to my phone via text message so I get them right when they come in. I only do this for one company because they tend to send an email asking you to call them to see if you qualify. If you want me to explain how to do the forwarding thing let me know in the comments.
So what does a focus group entail? Sometimes you will be just sitting in a small group talking and giving opinions about a particular thing like socks, cell phones, or some other product. They are often guided by a discussion facilitator who usually has some paperwork for you to read or fill out. While you are discussing the product you can expect to be recorded via audio/video. Sometimes you may also have some people observing you from behind a 2 way mirror. Yes, it is odd, but you get accustomed to it. I have personally done taste tests, talked about cell phones for 2 hrs ($75), looked at student loan lenders and even played a juror in a mock trial!
This is not going to replace your normal income, it will only complement it. I find it makes for unexpected money that often helps pay for the little things you tend to forget to budget for, minor car repairs, gifts, or like myself, concerts!
Here are the websites to register at:
Clinical Connection (if you’re into getting poked & prodded)
If you have any questions…. reply to me on twitter @got80s or in the comments.
you rock!