Guide to Focus Groups (San Francisco and elsewhere)
The Focus Group List (San Francisco and elsewhere)
You might have heard about market research focus groups. Companies seek your opinions on advertising and new products, so they hire independent third-party companies to gather people together for interviews. It's a good way to make some cash if you've got the time. Focus groups generally pay $75-$100 for 1-2 hours. A few very specifically targeted groups pay more, sometimes $150+ for an hour.
Visit their websites to register online and to become a participant (respondent). They all have quick and easy signup forms on their sites, so don't bother them by phone. It's easier and quicker to sign up online.
They'll keep you on their list, call you once in a while, and ask you a few questions. If you qualify, you are invited to attend a focus group. When you get there, tell them what you think. Don't suck up, because they are looking for constructive criticism from real people. Also, don't worry about your info being sold to telemarketers. They have to keep your info confidential to avoid impropriety and conflicts of interest. For more info on privacy, see my guide to privacy and privacy links.
Some of these companies are in San Francisco (415 area code), some have additional offices in other cities, others are online.
By the way, this is a better option than the so-called "Mystery Shopper" scams that just fleece you for up-front money. Read this Federal Trade Commission warning about Mystery Shopper scams.
Also, please note that Silent Way does not perform surveys!
Also check the links in the Silent Way Directory: Focus Groups.
Nichols Research
www.nicholsresearch.com
44 Montgomery
Suite 1550
San Francisco CA
Also in: Sunnyvale CA, Concord CA, Fresno CA, and Reno NV.
415-986-0500
408-773-8200
Plaza Research (Iopinion)
www.plazaresearch.com
www.iopinion.com
55 Stockton
Suite 400
San Francisco CA
Also in: New York area, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Atlanta,
Philadelphia, Ft. Lauderdale, Phoenix, Tampa and San Diego.
415-984-0400
Ecker & Associates
www.eckersf.com
220 S. Spruce, Suite 100
South San Francisco
222 Front St, 3rd Floor
San Francisco CA
650-871-6800
Fleischman Field Research
www.ffrsf.com
250 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94108
1655 N. Main Street, #320
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
800-277-3200
415-398-4140
Consumer Research Associates
www.superooms.com
450 Sansome St., 8th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94111
Also in Dallas, TX.
800-800-5055
415-392-6000
G Focus Groups, Incwww.gfocusgroups.com G Focus Groups, Inc
733 Fillmore Street, Suite 3
San Francisco, CA 94117877-928-2721SurveySite
www.surveysite.com Online only. Usually an online survey that enters you in a drawing for $.
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.416-642-1002
Cobbey + Associates
http://cobbey.com
One Sansome Street, Suite 2000
San Francisco, California 94104
877-433-3242
FieldworkIn San Francisco and a dozen cities.
Tragon Research
www.tragon.com
Tragon Corporation
365 Convention Way
Redwood City, CA 94063-1402
Chicago Office
1400 East Lake Cook Road, Suite 105
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089-1865
847-808-2080
If you are in a survey taking place in Redwood City, note that it only pays $25 per hour.
650-365-1833
MBS Internet
www.mbsinternet.net
Online only.
Benchmark Research
sign up by phone,
800-369-2875
490 Post St, Suite 1442, San Francisco CA; Austin TX; Fort Worth TX; San Angelo TX. Details.
Please mention that you were referred by Tony Brooke of San Francisco (here is my contact info if they ask for it).
66 Bovet Road Suite 105
San Mateo, CA 94402
Also in La Mirada, CA and King Of Prussia, PA.
650-574-9044
Corey, Canapary & Galanis
447 Sutter
San Francisco CA
415-397-1200
Fitch
www.fitch.com
730 Montgomery
San Francisco CA 94111
Also: Ann Arbor MI, Boston MA, Columbus OH, London UK, Osaka Japan, Paris France and Singapore.
415-283-1600
ZoomPanel.com This company has been unresponsive to "unsubscribe" requests, so I do not recommend taking partin their surveys, which only get you an entry into a drawing instead of actual compensation.
"MarketTools and zTelligence are registered trademarks of MarketTools, Inc."
One of their clients is techwatcher.com.
Online only. Earn "zoompoints", a drawing entry or cash.
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