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.
I particularly enjoy being a "taste
tester". Do they just pay you to be entertained by your expression when
you taste something? No, of course. You are paid for the valuable feedback
you provide. It's a fair exchange as you get a chance to earn extra cash.
You'll be paid for sitting
on your duff and flapping your chops. Here's your chance to get paid to
test taste food and beverages (much of it, yet to reach the market!).
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 should be 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)".
Interested in horses? They provide horse
browbands and the horse ezine. Have a peek at
Things
For Horses.
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
wretched joint?", 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.
I had this happen to me COUNTLESS times. Some people are quite
surprised to hear this, but it's true! So, try your hand at focus groups and see
if you can reel in some fast cash. Please note: I am in no way saying
you'll get rich doing this! But the hourly rate sure is dandy!
Provided by
Get Paid For Your Opinion,
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
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Focus Group Benefits...
