There is a marketing research company in our town. You get in their database and they'll call you to ask questions to see if you qualify for a particular study.
I found them through an ad in a local paper, but then found that many neighbors were participants. I was paid $50 for 30 minutes of my time, answering questions about packaging on a new product that my child used at the time. We actually spent 20 minutes on the interview and 10 minutes talking about my family.
I did another where I was paid $75 for 2 hours of my time in true focus group. We were given product to use in our homes, as we normally would. Then we were paid to talk about our experience and opinions.
They give you a check before you leave
And they have been known to "overbook" the group to insure they have enough respondants. I saw them pay a few people and send them on their way. I think they were paid $50 to just show up.
I get many phone calls and rarely qualify. When I do qualify, I haven't been able to go due to scheduling. But now that my kids will be in school full-time, I hope to have more time.
The important thing is you really can't make this a "job". The first qualifying question is about when you last participated in a study. They don't want "professional respondants" and the time frame is dictated by the client, not the research firm. And it may vary depending on how difficult it is for them to fill their study. Best I could expect to do is maybe 2 per year.
