You get a lot of bang for your buck in Twin Cities. Obviously, you get two cities in one incorporated area, but aside from that you get theater without the elitism, good coffee without Starbucks PSLs, jobs without the housing bubble, access to water without crowded beaches… the list can go on for quite a while.
Also – you guys can claim Prince, so there’s that. You live here, so we’ll spare you the preaching.
At Stan’s Gigs we are all for getting ‘more bounce per ounce.’ That’s why we recommend focus groups as a side gig. They pay relatively well for little-to-no hard skills, are fun, and contribute value back to society.
Sounds like something Minnesotans can get behind. So we did you a solid and round up the top paid focus groups in the Twin Cities area. If you are looking for focus group rankings in another city, here’s a listo f focus groups near you. Otherwise, let’s begin 🙂
Focus Groups in Minneapolis you can participate in
A diverse and booming economy is an essential for quality focus groups. Minneapolis proves it really is the ‘Mini-Apple’ boasting quite a few Fortune 500 companies, such as:
- Target
- Best Buy
- Bright Health
- General Mills
- Land O’ Lakes Inc
- Ameriprise Financial
Target is a doozy… and obviously a given. But the City of Lakes has quite a few options to choose from in every major American industry. This is a great sign that you can give feedback to a variety of diverse and significant companies,
Online focus groups that are worth checking out
Online focus groups typically aren’t as lucrative as their traditional counterparts. But they are convenient. On top of in-person studies, we recommend that you sign up for a few (or all) of these online focus groups to supplement your supplementary income.
1. YouGov
has more than 3 million members and a steady stream of well-paid surveys, product tests, and occasional focus groups. Register to receive emails with studies that you qualify for, which reduces an influx of unnecessary emails.
Qualification: Residents of the USA and be at least 14 to join.
Click Here to Apply for YouGov
2. SurveyJunkie
is a company based in California,, but with a mobile app, you can participate in their online studies from anywhere! They primarily focus on surveys and online interviews.
Qualification: Residents of USA 16+ only.
Click Here to Apply for Survey Junkie
3. Respondent Focus Groups
offers more corporate, professional studies that connect participants with well-known companies such as eBay and Allstate. Some of them are fairly specific and difficult to qualify for but might be worth the effort.
Qualification: Residents of USA, Canada, UK and Australia. Must be 18+.
Click Here to Apply for Respondent
4. Branded Surveys
is a diverse platform that allows respondents to take video surveys, participate in focus groups, and more. Get paid by PayPal, via e-gift cards, or choose a prepaid credit card.
Qualification: Residents of USA 14+
Click Here to Apply for Branded Surveys
5. Toluna Influencers
partners with national brands such as Amazon & L’Oreal for feedback via surveys (traditional and video). They offer a wide variety of rewards: cash, gift cards, etc. Rewards collect in your account until you reach a balance of $10.
Qualification: Residents of USA must be 14+
Click Here to Apply for Toluna Influencers
Top 5 Companies hiring for Focus Groups in Minneapolis
1. Ascendency Research:
Coming in at number 1, Ascendency Research is quite popular with over 19k likes on Facebook and an A+ rating on BBB.
Studies come in the form of discussion groups or individual interviews, and payouts typically range from $60-350.
They frequently post studies on their Facebook page, but other than that when you sign up, they will contact you via phone or email to qualify you for studies.
Their office is in Saint Louis Park, but may have studies available in other local areas as well.
2. Comprehensive Research Group:
If you are a cosmetic junkie, this company is for you! CRG offers studies on hair, skin, deodorant, luxury goods, and more!
And if you have kids, you can fill up on your diaper supply if you qualify.
With over 5k likes on Facebook and 4.7 stars on Google, they are a safe bet. You can preview some of their current studies on their Facebook page.
They are located off of Broadway & Taft St in the Mid-City Industrial neighborhood.
Fill out a simple form to join their database and answer more in-depth information upon request or availability of a study.
3. Tasteocracy:
Forget cheap free swag, test out real products AND get paid by signing up to be a tester with Tasteocracy. *Disclaimer: many of the product tests are food, but doesn’t that only make it better?
They offer several different options for their tests: single-day, multi-day, and in-home. On average, you can expect around $40/hour. Perfect for living out your fantasy as a recipe tester.
Kids are also eligible to participate, either together with you or on their own (with consent and supervision, of course).
If it sounds too good to be true, we thought so too, But upon some skeptical digging, they have very favorable reviews on both Yelp and Facebook. Check this out!
4. Leede Research:
Leede offers focus groups, taste tests, product trials, in-home interviews, shop-along interviews, along with remote options on general consumer topics. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
We like that they list current studies on their website so you can look before you make it official. Currently they have two running.
They are well-liked on all notable social platforms: Google, Yelp & Facebook, though they seem to have a smaller social presence.
Fill out a demographic questionnaire to join their database and start receiving studies to your inbox.
5. Orman Guidance Research, Inc.:
Located right off American Blvd, Orman is a good option if you are looking for more professional/corporate study topics. They work with many national companies, institutions and government agencies.
Compensation amounts vary, generally ranging from $75 to $200 per hour.
They have 4.6 stars on Google and almost 7k likes on Facebook, where you can preview some studies they currently offer.
Complete a short simple form to sign up and start receiving studies. Each study requires a survey to determine if you qualify.
Other Great Focus Group Companies in Minneapolis
Following are a couple of great national companies that ranked top 5 in many of our other roundups but didn’t make the final cut this time. Check these out if you have some extra time:
Schlesinger Group – 7300 Metro Blvd #250, Edina, MN 55439
Fieldwork – 7650 Edinborough Way, Suite 700 Edina, MN 55435
Final Thoughts
We really couldn’t find a BAD option for focus groups in the Greater Minneapolis/Twin Cities Area. But – we highlighted the best companies for you to try first.
Let us know in the comments if you try any of the options listed and what your experience is like. We would love to hear from you.
P.S. Also let us know – does good sushi exist in the TC? Asking for a friend. They’ll have some extra cash to spend after picking one of our recommendations 😉
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.
