Okay...a bit about focus groups (the offline variety).

Just to be clear, I will be talking about focus groups you attend in
person (NOT the ones done online, with you at your computer).

What is a focus group and why do they have them?

A focus group is where a few people are brought together (generally
in a room) to chat about a product, service, or whatever. Of
course, the point of all this is so the one who commissioned the
focus group can gather information to make decisions.

Who participates in focus groups?

Focus group moderators generally seek out participants who are
closely related on at least one characteristic (example: Outgoing
males 18-35 who are big hockey fans). The hope is that these people
are typical/representative of the group the focus group moderators
wish to learn about.

Facts about focus groups

• The average size of a focus group is 8-10 people. Sometimes more,
  sometimes less.

• Focus groups generally last 45 minutes to an hour or 2.

• Typically you receive refreshments. Many times, a sandwich and
  coke, etc.

That's a little backgrounder. Don't worry, we'll discuss it more in
coming issues. I have been in numerous focus groups. And, at one
period I actually worked at a few focus group companies.

The focus group invitation

Okay, let's fast forward and say you get an invitation to
participate in a focus group. I will talk about how to get
invitations later. Yeah, I know, out of order. Ooops.

First of all...

Of course, be sure to arrive early so you find parking AND... find
the exact room you're supposed to go to!!!

BUT.... here's the twist....

Yes, make sure that you arrive nice and early... and you find the
EXACT DOOR to the room. Close enough to touch it.

But, don't go in... just yet.

Be within arms length of the door, but do NOT go in the room
till seconds before the official start time. But, don't be 1 second
late. I'll tell you why in just a sec.

Okay, say you're supposed to arrive by 6pm. Well, it's 5:59pm and
59 seconds. Once second to go. Okay, time to walk in. Since you're
only 6 inches a way, you'll make it through in the nick of time.

Be sure the receptionist sees that you have arrived early. Smile at
this person.


If you're sure that the receptionist has seen that you arrived on
time, let everyone in the room go in front of you (if there's a
line). You score points for being courteous. BUT, there's a bigger reason for doing so and I'll tell you what it is in a few seconds.

Again, you are in the door BEFORE the official start time. But once
in, you head to the back of the line that exists in the room, if
any. It may be that everyone has already arrived and is seated.
I'll say what to do in this case, in a bit.

Why was I trying to be last in line?


You see, many times focus group moderators "over-book". That is,
they purposely invite 1 or more people to the group than is needed
(over the quota).

One reason they over-book is because some intended participants
actually will flake out and not appear as agreed (even though
they're being paid to sit in a seat, they just don't show up!).

The extra people will generally be sent home before the focus group begins.

Your goal is to be the one that is that "extra" person.

Don't worry, you'll be paid if you are sent home early. But, just verify that
you'll be paid IN FULL -- before you walk out!


Here's how to be the one who gets picked to go home EARLY... with pay.

Okay, you're in the door. Last in line. After you have checked in,
you want to make sure you are HOVERING very close to the person in
charge of processing incoming people. The receptionists. The one
(s) who ask for your name and look for your name on the list.

Again, be right in front of them... within whispering distance.

All the while, be and present yourself as a loner. Be quiet. This
will increase your odds of being sent home before the focus session begins (with pay). They prefer talkative types in the group so they'll try to send the quietest ones home first.

Of course, if you don't get sent home, drop the loner act, and be a
bit chatty. Don't be abrasive, however. You do NOT need to be the
most talkative person.

Now, if the receptionist (s) motion to you or calls you over,
immediately draw as close as possible. If the person asks: "You
want to go home?", move close and WHISPER: "With FULL pay???". If
the person says yes, be sure to act all surprised... don't act like
you know this stuff happens! Pause for a second. Then quietly
say: "Okay". And, say, "But, you'll still consider me in future
focus groups, right, I'm (give your last name)?"


NOW...They usually don't want others to know that you get to go home early... with FULL pay. That would set a bad tone. SO, be sure to play the game. Be quiet. Don't make a show. Don't jump up and down
screeching "I get to go home... with pay! So long SUCKERS!".
Instead, conceal your check and your euphoria...and look all
depressed and scamper off... Save your ear-to-ear grin till you get
in your car. Then tear off down the road like a madman before they
change their minds and grab you! No, don't do that!!

Note: Some times the receptionist is also one of the persons who
calls people to invite them to be in the focus groups. So, be cool
with this person. In fact, say straight out: "Please keep me in mind for
future focus groups, I'm ___ (give your last name)".

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Okay, what if they don't immediately send you home?

Well, in most cases they won't send anyone home early.

But, here's what you do while you're waiting for them to HOPEFULLY pop the big question:

• Do NOT sit down.

• Stay as close to the receptionist as possible.

• If you're sitting, give up your seat to others.

• If someone tells you to sit, just POLITELY say your legs are cramped and you need to stand. This sends a message, too. "Send home that person -- they can't sit down without feeling pain"!

Since you're close to the receptionist (s), you are in the best
position to partake in the opportunity to go home early.

If someone says: "Anyone want out of this place?", raise your hand high
and move forward. Don't be shy now. Get directly in front of the
person who asked. If anyone tries to crowd in front of you, throw
an elbow into their solar plexus. No, just kidding!! Actually,
most people will be hesitant till it sinks in that they'll be
paid. By that point you'll be starting your car with one hand and
holding your check with the other.

Keep in mind: You have nothing to lose. Just confirm that you'll
be paid – in FULL. If they were to say you won't get paid (very
unlikely!!)... decline the invitation and instead sit down. But,
this has never happened to me. I just don't think they'd do that
given that they told you to come and it isn't your fault they overbooked.
And, you spent gas money, etc. Besides, you can just say you'd
rather stay.

I had this happen to me COUNTLESS times. Some people are quite
surprised to hear this, but it's true!
 

Provided by http://CompleteListOfPaidSurveySites.com the fun job resource. Find out how to get paid to participate in focus groups. You may copy this article and post it anywhere so long as you do not change anything (keeping this link and information in place).

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