Ever been part of a "focus group"?

[crim son]

I just attended my first. It took one hour & fifteen minutes. We were served food and beverages, had a nice chat, and I left the place with a check for fifty dollars! I do hope they call me again :)

[MrCoffee]

1. what were you focusing on?

[crim son]

4. We were discussing health issues of children in my state,

Maine, esp. obesity, and what we believe should/can be done about it. Very little disagreement among us, as it happened.

[MrCoffee]

7. they're focus grouping fat kids?

i don't get it. was there a question as to whether someone would think we need more fat kids?

[crim son]

11. The marketing company would not reveal who was interested

in our opinions, but the questions raised were, e.g., should the State and Federal governments have a hand in responding to the "epidemic" and if so, how? Should the food industry be required to take steps to inform the consumer about what they're eating, and if so, what are the steps? Stuff like that. Is the average parent well-informed about what causes childhood obesity? Etc. Etc. I've no idea what they'll do with the information though.

[Bucky]

22. I used to organize focus groups. Sounds like some food company is...

gonna try out a new product line. The questions about insurance and government regulation are often "psychographic" questions that won't show up in any of the ads that your group's input will help generate. On the other hand, we also handled lots of work for state government agencies. They often do focus groups, too, as it is a valid form of scientific measure of a market.

[bridgit]

2. oh yes, going to one tonight...

:hi:

[crim son]

5. Really? That's funny!

I hope you have a pleasant time. And that the food is acceptable!

[bridgit]

8. dunno, this one is specific to banking institutions & such...

:shrug:

[crim son]

13. Hmmm. I don't know a thing about that.

I'm all about housewifely pursuits...:(

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. No, but I used to run them.

Glad you had fun. :hi:

[bridgit]

6. yeah, that's part of how i got into the database...

:rofl:

[crim son]

9. Hi MrsGrumpy!

I imagine that running them would be interesting for a while, although it would frustrate me having to keep my opinions to myself. Also, I'm no statistician.... I'd enjoy the interviews/discussion though.

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. It was fun...in the beginning... and then it was tedious.

A job basically. I do enjoy talking, but, like you said, I wasn't allowed to interject my opinion. :hi:

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

10. I've been to hundreds

I sat on the other side of the mirror. We gorged on M&Ms and tried to not fall asleep.

Tip: don't use the mirror to adjust your underwear.

[crim son]

12. LOL! If I find myself participating again

I will take to heart your sage advice. In this case we were actually filmed and the whole thing viewed on a screen in the ajoining room. Tried to maintain my digity the whole time, but likely failed.

[AngryAmish]

14. I did one for an internet mortgage company a few weeks back

Got $150 for 1 hour. Pizza was so-so.

[crim son]

17. That's pretty good money.

I would love to be paid just for having opinions. I've so many of them; I'm sure I could make a living wage :P

[AngryAmish]

33. Wanna game the system?

This is kinda dishonest but...

You can sign up for these things. Look up market research companies on the internets (it is a series of tubes...).

They give you forms to sign up. Lie about your income. Say that your household income is over $100k or $200k whatever. In order to incentivize rich folks to participate you have to pay them more. Also say you are a smoker. Tobaccy companies pay well. Say you have weird, expensive interests. Good luck.

[crim son]

34. DONE!

A little dishonesty never hurt anybody :evilgrin:

[AlCzervik]

15. yup, just one time and it was for Orida foods, they were launching a

disgusting line of new french fries, some were blue and some were chocolate flavored, really gross but we got free tickets to the aquarium on pier 39 in SF and $25, the whole thing took about 20 minutes.

[crim son]

16. I'd do it if it only took twenty minutes.

Plus, I might be able to dissuade somebody from putting more horrible crap on the market.

[HEyHEY]

18. Yeah, when I was in my early teens

They stopped calling me cause one day I denied going to a nike focus group and told them it was for political reasons.

[crim son]

20. I guess you're not allowed to think, unless it's about

athletic wear.

[Tyo]

21. Yes, for a self-cleaning cat's box

They had imitation kitty poop for us to use and everything. Got $70 for participating.

[crim son]

27. And I have that litter box!

Okay, maybe it's not the same one, but it's self cleaning and I like it. Alas, the kitty poop is authentic.

[Tyo]

31. Yeah, our kitty poop is pretty real too....

and we have the old fashioned scoop-it-out-yourself kind of cat box.

[Lisa0825]

23. Yes, a few months ago.

It was a very interesting chat on the new drug therapies resulting from the Human Genome Project, about how INCREDIBLY expensive they are, and their effect on the health care system.

While the focus group's originator was anonymous, the moderator said we would probably be seeing the subject on TV soon. Recently, I have seen commericals by several pharmaceutical companies about what landmarks these drugs are and how people can call to get info on how to get help with getting them.

The result of our group's discussion was that we were most afraid of a (an even worse) two-tiered system in which only rich poeple could afford these miracle cures (and truly, some are miracles), because of the poor state of our health care system. Even the guy who started out spouting rethug talking points agreed with that sentiment in the end.

I thought it was a very interesting experience, and I would love to participate again.

[crim son]

28. I think the subject matter sounds fascinating.

I wonder if your group's expressed fears had/will have any impact? Wishful thinking perhaps.

[bluethruandthru]

24. I've done several.

Everything from ad campaigns for the post office to fashion for women in the workplace. Most have been interesting and usually pay pretty well.

[crim son]

29. I hope I get called again.

It isn't hard work by any means!

[Kat45]

25. I've been trying to get in a focus group for ages.

Even got on a list of people they call for the groups. After they ask me all these questions on the phone, I end up not being eligible. Sometimes they already have their quota in my age/demographic group; sometimes the group is already full; sometimes one little thing causes me to not qualify. I'm unemployed, so I have the time and need the money--and I also always have an opinion.

[crim son]

26. I've had that happen several times too.

This time apparently I was JUST RIGHT.

[bluethruandthru]

30. I got called more when I was a smoker.

Once I quit smoking...I didn't get as many calls. Weird. But, a couple of times I was in groups relating strictly to smokers.

[crim son]

35. Small price to pay, though, for a longer life.

Good for you, quitting smoking!

[Wapsie B]

32. Yes I was.

I lived in Cedar Rapids for a time. This area is home to a well-known media consulting firm, Frank Magid Assoc. It was a nice experience, much like yours.