Paid research interview invitation template that fits in 500 characters

A paid research interview invitation template needs four things: who is asking, which part of the recipient's work you want to understand, how long it takes and what it pays. "We would love your feedback" has none of them.

If you plan to demonstrate or sell a product, say so. AAPOR's research code rejects disguising sales activity as research.

A template that fits in 500 characters

Here is a made-up message for equipment-rental research. In Instant Expert, choose a 15-minute call and adapt this text in Message to recipients:

I'm [name] at [company]. We're researching how rental businesses get returned equipment ready for the next customer. I'd like to speak with someone who personally checks returns or arranges repairs. Would you consider a paid 15-minute call about a recent return that needed work? We won't ask for customer names or confidential records.

Replace the brackets, change the topic to fit your study and keep only promises you can honor. The field has a 500-character limit, so check the length after editing.

One message goes to every selected recipient, so describe the experience you want in terms that fit the group. Don't invent a personal connection or claim you verified what each person does.

Ask how the work happens instead of why their tools are bad. You are paying for their time, including an answer that your product would not help.

Preview what the recipient sees before you send

Use the preview beside the message box, pick a recipient and check the call duration, payment and next step. Repeat for each price.

You pick one all-in price per booked call and pay it only when someone books. Instant Expert chooses what each person is offered, so don't copy your price into the message. The invitation already shows the amount, so you don't need to state it at all. Prepare an Instant Expert request.

In your own email, put the offer in the subject line

Sending through your own email instead? Add a clear subject, the amount and currency the participant will receive, the payment method and timing, and a way to respond. "Paid 15-minute research call about equipment returns" states the offer directly.

Follow up only to clarify something

Instant Expert sends up to two automatic reminders, which buyers can't edit or resend on demand, and the invitation expires 7 days after it goes out. The unanswered-request guide covers delivery checks and available actions.

In your own existing email conversation, a follow-up can explain what the first message left unclear:

Hi [name], a clarification on the equipment-return research: we're interested in the person who dealt with the returned item, rather than only approving the repair bill. There is no preparation. Would that fit your work? No problem if it isn't relevant.

Use it only if those details are true. If someone asked a question, answer it instead. A question about payment or the topic is not agreement to take part.

If they name a date to get in touch, respect it. If they decline or ask for no more contact, stop. Silence after a follow-up does not call for a final "closing the loop" message or another try through a different channel.

What the recipient can do with it

The person you invite doesn't need an account. From the invitation they can book a time, decline, or reply with the price they want; a counteroffer above your offer comes to you, and your answer goes back to them in the same thread. Every invitation has a link to stop future requests. After a call, they're paid 24 hours later by direct deposit, a gift card, or as a donation to a charity they pick, and you pay the same whichever they choose. Knowing this helps you keep the message short: the invitation already covers payment and next steps.

Explain the session before it starts

Say how you will use the answers and whether anyone will observe or record the session. GOV.UK's consent guidance explains what participants need to know before taking part. If the experience you want still needs clarifying and you already talk to them directly, ask there. Otherwise, ask at the start of the paid call.