It’s January. We are strapped for cash and the high of the winter break and festivities, has definitely calmed down. Something I regularly struggle with is managing money around this time, as December and January paydays are always tight. One thing to remember, this post is based on my experience and is the results are not definite. However, this will give you a realistic point of view of doing market research programme’s for extra income. I have successfully been doing market research programmes since 2021, and took a 11 month break in 2024. So, you can trust me on the recentness of my experience.
How to find market research programmes
Normally, I would recommend Google, but honestly I find some of the sites there might be weird and off-putting. What I did trust was my IG for you page. A few years ago, I had my algorithm prepped to throw anyway to make extra money ready for me. Whether it was inspiration for affiliate marketing, market research or other digital side hustles. So, I would recommend those search functions as a good start. At least there, people tend to show what they did, the money they made and you can tell whether the website is trustworthy.
Here are the ones I have tried and my experience them:
| Company | Success rate | Pay | Ease of use | Note |
| Prolific | 90% | 2/5 | 5/5 | You create the account with all your settings, and they try to send you specific research tailored for you, so screening can be reduced, but some studies still do screening. The pay varies, but it’s small quantities (50p -£1.20) for about 10-30 minutes and you withdraw when you reach £5. |
| Take Part in Research UK | 75% | 5/5 | 4/5 | The have opportunities on their websites and you can sign up to reminders. A screening is done each time you apply and they will call you if you are eligible. Money varies between £30-£75 per session which can be 45 min to 90 mins long. Money goes straight to your bank account. |
| Respondent | 0% | 4/5 | – | They have never had things I was eligible for, but they pay nicely ($50-$100 American). Never used unfortunately, but staying on mailing list to check if any opportunities are worth me trying. Seen plenty of IG accounts rave about it though. |
How to get through screenings
Most market research companies will do screenings before they decide whether you can take part or not. The companies that offer this, use the data for their marketing and stuff, so it makes sense they want genuine people to take part. Especially since they pay you.
You can’t always tell what they are screening for exactly, which means you can’t guess the answers. I tried guessing what their ideal person was, and the answers they would give, but each time I would flop. I did try to answer some honestly, and didn’t get through, because I was not the correct audience. But there are others I answered honestly and got in.
Note: By honestly, they don’t ask personal questions, your health status (unless the market research is targeting something health abased). Only apply for ones you are comfortable talking in.
Here are some market research screening questions that always have the same answer:
| Question | The answer you should give |
| Do you have a laptop with a camera? | You should and you need it. They don’t always share what will happen on the call, so having a laptop means you can adapt to screenshares, or interactions during the session |
| Do you know anyone who works in the X, Y, or Z industries? | No, you shouldn’t know. I think it’s because if you know the info, then you skew the results and media is always questioned as they don’t want their research being spilled before they complete it. (lowkey you need to keep your mouth shut about the research you have taken part in) |
| Are you over 18?/ How old are you? | Yes/ an age over 18. It’s rare they do ones with kids, but when they do, they expect the adult to apply and to bring the kid, since the kid is not 18. |
| Do you make all the decisions in your household? | Yeah. It would be pointless for them to get your opinion when you are not the most the informative person in your household. |
What to expect on market research programmes
Most market research is in the form of group calls, of 4-6 people. So, be prepared to see other people. I think they make sure you don’t come from similar work or areas so you hopefully shouldn’t know anyone on the call. There will be someone leading the session and then a couple of people in the background doing the moderating and taking notes. Other times it’s 1:1, with the same person taking notes. There is no difference in my opinion, and they will tell you if it’s a group or 1:1 when you are successful from the screening.
They allow discussion, and in a group call, everyone is in the same boat. So, even if you are nervous, they are kind and encouraging people, both the leads and other people taking part.
I have never done a face-to-face market research programme, so I have no idea on that experience. Though they tend to be more popular in larger cities.
You will go through discussion topics, there might be an interactive survey in the group ones. At the end, there is final admin like reminder of payments and that’s it!
The money comes to you in about 2-4 weeks, and they say to contact them after 4 weeks if it hasn’t come. I get mine sent to PayPal and then send it to my account, though straight to bank account is an option too.
Market research dos
- Come on time when requested
- Read all information given before you, as they might ask for a signature or specific passcode/password to log in etc, so don’t miss out on that
- Give them 3-4 weeks to send you the payment (after that, send a chase up email)
- Do what you are comfortable as the group calls will require your face on camera
- Be engaged on the call, as they are paying you to actually give them information for their work. (and it’s not often you get £40 per hour or less, so might as well)
- Try to schedule it outside of your normal 9-5 hours, as you don’t want to be distracted
Market research don’ts
- Lie on the application/screening 9there will always be an opportunity for you to be a decent candidate for market research without lying)
- Berach the terms and conditions you have signed
- Be late or miss it without informing them
Summary
I wouldn’t say market research programmes are side hustle enough to make an extra income. But they have gotten me out of a pinch sometimes. I did one in December, and got the £50 paid just after Christmas, which helped my paycheque stretch till January payday. There is another one booked in a couple weeks, and that extra £40 I can put towards my credit card. It’s not lucrative at all, but I know since I started, I have made over £250 with these small things. Just giving away small pockets of my time, that I would use for free, and get paid a huge sum.
TL;DR
- This was your guide to finding and successfully completing paid market research
- With my tactics so far since 2022 I have made over £250, which has helped me when I needed it (most recently Dec 2024 and Jan 2025)
- I have listed the platforms that I have the most success both from personal and anecdotal experience. (no referral links so I get 0 money from this plug)
- I have listed do’s and don’ts for market research and how to get through some of the general screening questions which have the same answers each time
- If you get the chance to try one out, send me a comment, a DM on IG, let me know how this post helped.
