Companies are always looking for regular people to help them evaluate new products. They hire marketing companies that run focus groups to allow people to test products, share their opinions, and point out opportunities for improvement. While you probably can’t make a living off focus groups, you can get up to $200 to participate in a single focus group session.
This side gig is best for people with flexible schedules, as many focus groups take place during the day. There’s usually an initial survey or questionnaire before you attend to make sure that you don’t have a conflict of interest (for instance, if you work for a toothpaste company, you’d probably be excluded from a focus group about dental care products).
Legitimate focus group hosts never charge a fee for access to their opportunities. To find focus groups near you, search “your city + focus groups” or check the directory on FocusGroups.org.