Cincinnati is the best of the big 3 C’s in Ohio. Just ask Reddit. Or some random blog on the internet. That’s how I made my decision, anyhow. But I have undeniable faith – the internet has never lied to me (said no one ever).
However, if you’re seeking to give/receive more valid opinions, try signing up for focus groups!
Focus groups allow you to voice your thoughts, comments, praise, and criticism for brands and products in a small group setting. The best part? You get paid!
We already covered the top focus groups in Cleveland and Columbus, so we really did save the best for last. Keep reading to see how we ranked the best paid focus groups in Cincinnati!
Paid Focus Groups in Cincinnati you can participate in
Cincinnati has quite a few nationally recognized companies headquartered in the city (the most Fortune 500 businesses per capita, in fact), including these popular companies:
- Kroeger
- Proctor & Gamble
- American Financial Group
Brands like Kroeger and P&G are billion-dollar manufacturers, which is a good indicator that Cincinnati has products constantly in development that need your testing and opinions! That means that it is going to be fairly easy for you to find paying focus groups near you.
Online focus groups that are worth checking out
If you’re stuck inside (or just prefer a lazy Sunday once in a while), you can complete paid online studies to make some extra cash from home.
Check out our list of the top online focus groups below. We always recommend you sign up for a few (or all) of them to maximize your chances of getting picked!
1. YouGov
A household name in the focus group world. With over 3 million members and counting, you can get a steady stream of opportunities from surveys, product tests, and focus groups. You are notified via email when you qualify for an opportunity.
Qualification: Residents of the USA and be at least 14 to join.
Click Here to Apply for YouGov
2. SurveyJunkie
This company is awesome because it’s also a mobile app! So you can qualify and take online surveys on-the-go, as well as from the computer. Definitely recommend checking this one out.
Qualification: Residents of USA 16+ only.
Click Here to Apply for Survey Junkie
3. Respondent Focus Groups
This platform runs a bit on the professional side, so some may be a bit specific or difficult to qualify for, but they do allow you to browse the projects available before you sign-up so you can see if it’s a good fit!
Qualification: Residents of USA, Canada, UK and Australia. Must be 18+.
Click Here to Apply for Respondent
4. Branded Surveys
From video surveys to more traditional focus groups, you can get rewarded with gift cards, PayPal, or e-vouchers. Choose your own adventure!
Qualification: Residents of USA 14+
Click Here to Apply for Branded Surveys
5. Toluna Influencers
is another diverse firm that offers a variety of surveys and payout options – from cash to gift cards. You can redeem your reward after you earn $10.
Qualification: Residents of USA must be 14+
Click Here to Apply for Toluna Influencers
Top 5 Market Research Companies in Cincinnati
Now, here’s what you came for! Keep reading for the best paid focus groups in Cincinnati. It was a tough race, this time (no, we don’t always say that) – so you can’t go wrong with any of these on our list. You can learn more about our ranking criteria if you want to challenge our good taste 😉
1. L&E Opinions:
This firm is definitely earning our respect here at Stan’s Gigs.
They operate 10 locations across the U.S., mainly around the south and Midwest and have made our top 5 a couple of times already.
I always appreciate that they list all available studies without having to register beforehand. If you are a business or medical professional, you can sign up for their specialty panels where you can make some extra dough from your expertise.
L&E has national clout on Facebook with over 50k likes and 4.6 stars, but their local online presence is only a solo 5 star Yelp review. If you need more convincing… they’ve been in business since 1984 and have a cool referral program.
Oh yeah, and free refreshments. Find their Cincinnati spot off of Carver Rd near the Blue Ash Recreation Center.
2. Various Reviews:
Various Reviews is a smaller local firm in Cincinnati located inside the Reed Hartman Tower.
They won us over with top-notch ratings on every review platform… except Yelp where they don’t seem to have any presence. They are even accredited since 2009 with an A+ rating!
Plus, they highlight previous clients like Proctor & Gamble, LensCrafters, Walgreens, Kroeger, and plenty other big-wig consumer good companies.
There’s not a lot of transparency around their pay, but with so many happy campers and social proof I can’t imagine it’s less than average.
Fill out a demographic survey to join their database and get invited to studies.
3. J&R Coordinating Services:
This is another local firm located near Kanter Road.
They have 4.7 stars on Google and 4 stars on Facebook with over 500 likes.
J&R has multiple study options including focus groups, taste tests, one-on-one interviews and at-home studies. They have a great site which makes it simple to sign up.
The average pay averages $30-75 for about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on content and length of study.
Take an initial screener survey to be in their participant pool.
4. Nielsen:
Nielsen is a famous national marketing brand that frequently solicits opinions and testing from the public.
They are running studies involved with neuroscience and marketing, so you will likely be asked to wear sensors while you consume marketing material. Payout is a $75 Visa gift card for 45 minutes to 1 hour of your time.
Their Cincinnati office is downtown off of 5th & Sycamore.
Fill out a demographic survey to apply. To learn more about upcoming studies, Nielsen encourages you to join their private Facebook group.
5. Lori Kolde Research Management:
Coming in last is a remote firm based in Cincy. This means that they accept participants from everywhere, but you may have a home advantage.
Lori Kolde is the leader of a small market research team since 2015. They are a newer business but have 5 stars out of 88 reviews (and over 3k likes!) on Facebook. She also is accredited by BBB with an A+ rating.
Average compensation is about $100 per study. Many study details are posted on the Facebook page, but list study locations all over the country. You may have better luck joining the database to receive studies relevant to Cincinnati.
Blackbox Companies
There are a few other companies in the Cincinnati area that piqued our interest, but we couldn’t find enough information on them to see if they fit the bill. These companies go in our blackbox.
We figure we’d list them in case you are interested in investigating further!
Market Inquiry LLC – 5825 Creek Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242
Research America – 4555 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 194, Cincinnati, OH 45242
Final Thoughts
Are you excited to try any of these focus groups? Have you already been a participant of a company on our list? If you have any other focus group companies that you tried and recommend, please let us know in the comments below.
We always look forward to thoughts and comments 🙂
Till payday!
I am a father to a beautiful baby girl, a husband and a serial gigster 🙂 I live in Toronto, Canada. My claim to fame: I made thousands of dollars from focus groups and surveys over the last 15 years. Studied Marketing in Ryerson Univerity and worked in Marketing and Marketing Research for the last 14 years+ My mission is to educate others how to be successful with side hustles. You can contact my be email or on Facebook.
