Welcome to the Kramer Research blog, where I will be providing bite-sized market research tips for clients and agencies alike, reviewing contemporary literature and articles on the topic of research and business practices, and really getting down to basics for new users of market research for their business needs. Feel free to comment with questions or contributions. Let’s chat!
For my inaugural blog post, we’re going to delve into perhaps one of the more common questions, particularly among potential clients new to the market research scene. First of all, if you found this post because you are interested in utilizing market research for your business or group, you’ve come to the right place. The best business decision is an empowered and informed decision, and market research will help to get you there.
So that said, what can you expect when working with a professional researcher?
To start with, for the best and most efficient first meeting or communication, don’t come empty-handed! You must provide:
- A briefing of your business objectives and research objectives, or an outline for a discussion of said objectives.
- Some idea of how to define the target audience you have in mind
Following your initial meeting or communication, the market researcher will draft a proposal for your project based on a certain set of assumptions about your objectives and your target audience. When requesting a proposal, be open to considering alternative methodologies. Your researcher can provide rationale for any suggested methodology and may, from experience, see an approach you might not have considered.
When evaluating a proposal from your researcher or team, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the research meet the objectives that were outlined?
- Do the assumptions make sense?
Make note of the proposed timing and pricing for the project. Expect that deliverables influence pricing, and expect to pay for the researcher’s time as well as out-of-pocket costs.
Always check references! Ask about the experiences past clients have had working with a particular researcher or team, whether the researcher or team provided effective and timely communication, the efficacy of their problem solving strategies, whether their delivery was timely, and whether they kept to the budget.
And, of course, get multiple qualified bids for your research project.
Seeking out a market research professional does not need to be daunting. As long as you have a good idea of your goals in mind, you can maximize your market research experience. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in the services of Kramer Research, LLC.