Paid Interviews and Focus Groups: What to Expect
A paid interview or focus group is the best-paid kind of opinion research, and for many people the least familiar. Here's how one usually goes, from the first email to getting paid.
1. The invitation and screener
You'll usually get an invitation through a research platform or a market research firm, followed by a screener questionnaire. For focus groups this can include a short phone call to confirm you fit the group they need.
2. Scheduling
Live sessions have a fixed time. Researchers plan around each participant, so only accept a slot you're sure you can make, and give notice if something comes up. Reliability is one of the main things researchers look for when they invite people back.
3. Consent and confidentiality
Before the session you'll usually be asked to agree to:
- recording, since sessions are often recorded for the research team,
- confidentiality, sometimes a non-disclosure agreement, if you'll see unreleased products,
- how your data will be used, which a legitimate research firm explains clearly.
Read these properly. You can ask questions before agreeing.
4. The session
In an interview, a researcher asks you about your habits, opinions or experiences, and may ask you to try something while you talk. In a focus group, a moderator guides a discussion among several people. There are no right answers. Researchers want real, honest reactions, including negative ones.
Practical tips: join a few minutes early, test your camera and microphone beforehand, and keep the session's details to yourself afterwards if you agreed to confidentiality.
5. Getting paid
Payment usually comes after the session, by gift card, bank transfer or a payment service, often within a few days to a few weeks. The invitation should say how much, how and when. If it doesn't, ask before you agree.
Red flags
- You're asked to pay anything to take part, for "registration", "materials" or "verification".
- You're asked for bank passwords, card PINs or one-time codes.
- The "research firm" has no website, address or way to check it's real.
- The pay is wildly out of line with the time, such as hundreds of dollars for a ten-minute chat.
Our guide "Is this survey site safe?" has a fuller checklist.
This is part of a 4-part guide on paid studies and user testing. The main article explains each type of study and what it asks of you.