JFF: I'm in a Focus Group, For.....

I love them! I tried pies and cakes once. I sampled baby wipes when my kids were little. I tried razors for a study. They are so much fun! And you get to keep/use the product.

I've done a bunch of them. Some in groups and some one on one. $60 is not bad.. The most I've received is $200 I think for some radio deal.

I am ex corporate marketing with Frito Lay and we did focus groups a lot. We also got paid in Frito credit to do the taste testing before we sent product out for the "real" test.

Sometimes it can be a lot of fun. Typically, it is not THAT much money if you count time, gas, etc but some things are interesting.

Some others I did....
testing razors... they sent me a new one weekly for 6 weeks
diapers when daughter was little
baby food when daughter was little
radio promos
advertising for several types of products and making mock ads
several food products.

OMG LOL!!

No, I haven't, but... Ramen... where was that gig when I was in college?!

No, I have not ever been in one, but I think I may enjoy it - please update us on your experience it could be something other moms/dads would enjoy!

I am in so many focus groups and survey groups I have a hard time keeping track of them all...but it's like having a second job. I am rolling in the Amazon dough...seriously, I don't know how to spend it sometimes, and it's no joke.

I was, up until this month, in a popular "allergy medication" focus group, but the mother company shut it down because they sucked us dry. It was worth it, though...I made a lot of money. Also, I recently made $140 for taking a REALLY repetitive survey on what my husband ate for three days...super detailed, had to keep a log...and the questions went so far as to ask if the water he drank made him feel more popular. :)

I did one for cat litter and another for baby wipes. We had to come up with a picture that showed how we felt when changing the litter and rank different brands by how we thought they would be (luxury, pricing etc) for the wipes. They were both like being in a room at a party just chilling and talking.

HAHAHA All I can think of is This is Annie, She's on a tight budget, like a Ramen Noodles every night budget. She didn't think she could afford car insurance................

We were never paid but my daughter was born in a university town and they had in babies come in at certain ages for the child psychology classes to observe.

I used to do it all the time, now only occasionally. I have done it for Applebees when they were having a menu change, I've done diapers, all kinds of foods, for lots of grocery stores, you name it, and the pay is GREAT!!! When you go to the place for the focus group, make sure you talk to someone that works there, and get your name on any list you can, for all other focus group stuff. Have fun making easy money!!!!

I'm usually disqualified b/c I work in marketing. :(

I did quite a few of those many years ago. I had forgotten about it. Some were 5 or 10 dollars, others much more. I'm going to check into that. Thanks!

ive been to a bunch. ussually you can only do one every 6 months so im really selsective on which ones i choose,...distance , pay...theyre fun. Some feed you and then you get to hang out and talk about the product and get paid. I wish they let you do them more often

Wow, just think of all the Ramen Noodles you can buy with $60! :)

I've done several, for various things. I've been paid as little as $10 for a quick survey at the mall and as much as $175 for a whole day (mock trial). I don't know anyone that makes "a living" doing this, but its good for a little extra cash now and then. And they are fun, getting to see how different people respond to things.

I've done these for years and LOVE them! It's like surprise, found money. I just did one two days ago. Google your area + focus groups or market research companies and get on all of their lists. Some key points to remember:

*NO, you haven't done any others in the past year.

*If they're asking you about a product you have knowledge of, then OF COURSE you use it! Don't get yourself in too deep though in case they want you to bring it or you would have to go out and buy special stuff.

You can make some surprisingly good money off of them. Three Christmases ago, I did so many that I made over $1000 between Thanksgiving and Christmas on them. It may depend on where you live, but most of them here pay $100-$200 for 2hours. Many pay $100 for one hour -or at least $75 or $80. Some of the taste tests only pay $50 or $60. Check around, you can probably make a lot more!

Some things I've done focus groups on:

Beer
Toilet Paper
Bank cards
Lawn Mowers
Perfume
Nasty, cheap wine
Fancy, gourmet M&Ms
Biscuits
Baked Beans
Beer commercials
Cat treats
Allergy Medication
Bras
Diapers
Formula
I actually did one with my oldest about 2 months ago on children's paper plates and cups
Infant toys
Energy bars
Juice
Makeup
Tampons
Essure permanent birth control
Television show pilots
Movie trailers
Honeybaked Ham
Fried chicken
and many, many more!

I was in one and ended up helping name the sour dough jack at Jack in the Box. It was cool but I didn't make that much I don't think. The place I went to you can only do it every few months I think. But that was a LONG time ago. But hey if you can make $60 in 2 hours go for it!!!

Sounds like fun, good luck!

I was for a brokerage company. They simply ask all their PRE-formulated questions you answer yes or no. .in some cases, they may delve further into your answers.. but there really isn't a way to tell what exactly they are looking to discover... also, sometimes, people sit behind one of those one way mirrors :) and can view the participants.. The good thing, OFTEN , they have yummy food prior or at break...

I forgot to add, once they have your name of a list.. you get called back for other groups. :) this happened to my husband.. it's easier for the companies this way if they have a call sheet as a oppose to calling people randomly..

have fun!