Market Research 101

Shariyf Clark · 04-23-2009, 11:10 AM

Good morning fellow Warriors,
I wanted to get an idea of how to thoroughly conduct market research. And I'm talkin' top to bottom thorough. So if anyone would like to share some market research techniques that are working out for them, please do. Also, if there is an informative thread on this topic already in existence please feel free to post the link to that thread. Make it a good one guys...and gals ;-)

affilcrazy · 04-23-2009, 01:00 PM

Hi Shariyf,

i'm sure you'll get many different answers, but all perhaps with the same underlying principles!

For me, market research consists of fully immersing myself in that market/niche as though i was a consumer (Me as a consumer...i'm one of those annoying people that needs to read volumes and volumes before being convinced of anything!).

I stick to 2 main niches (neither of them IM), but these niches may have something new happening in them everyday. So i try to make sure that i keep myself up to date with the latest things!

I mainly:-

- Spend some time on a relevant niche forum. See what people are discussing and get involved if possible. Just by joining in a general discussion on a forum always teaches me something new!

- I check out Yahoo Answers and Wiki Answers. Again to see what questions people are asking in that niche. Also to see what types of answers people are providing.

- By doing the above 2, that gives me some keyword ideas. I then do a little keyword research. When i check in google's search engine the keyword phrase in " ", i will actually check out a few of the web pages for useful information and make notes. If i find an authority site or a great looking site that offers a newsletter, i usually subscribe to their newsletter (i have separate e-mail accounts for different niche newsletters!).

- I go to some of the article sites, EZA, Isnare, Squid, Hubpages and try and find relevant articles in my niche, I also check out what's on the other side of the links in the articles. Products, Websites, More Articles, etc.

- A lot of info in my niches can be found offline. So i often pop to the shops (and get a nice break from sitting in front of the PC) and check out adverts, reviews, etc in newspapers and magazines. I also think that some newspapers have some of the best headlines ever!

Having said that, i like to push myself to get writing and submitting articles and blog posts as quickly as possible. I have a tendency to spend a bit too long on market research. I actually believe some of the best market research comes from people's reactions to what you have written!

That's just the basics. I'm sure there is loads of stuff i've missed out! I'm sure the other Warriors will have plenty to share!

Cheers
Partha

04-23-2009, 11:10 AM	#1
Shariyf Clark HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Amboy, New Jersey, USA. Posts: 114 Thanks: 23 Thanked 15 Times in 7 Posts	Market Research 101 Good morning fellow Warriors, I wanted to get an idea of how to thoroughly conduct market research. And I'm talkin' top to bottom thorough. So if anyone would like to share some market research techniques that are working out for them, please do. Also, if there is an informative thread on this topic already in existence please feel free to post the link to that thread. Make it a good one guys...and gals ;-)

04-23-2009, 01:00 PM	#2
affilcrazy HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pinner, Middx, UK Posts: 156 Thanks: 18 Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Market Research 101 Hi Shariyf, i'm sure you'll get many different answers, but all perhaps with the same underlying principles! For me, market research consists of fully immersing myself in that market/niche as though i was a consumer (Me as a consumer...i'm one of those annoying people that needs to read volumes and volumes before being convinced of anything!). I stick to 2 main niches (neither of them IM), but these niches may have something new happening in them everyday. So i try to make sure that i keep myself up to date with the latest things! I mainly:- - Spend some time on a relevant niche forum. See what people are discussing and get involved if possible. Just by joining in a general discussion on a forum always teaches me something new! - I check out Yahoo Answers and Wiki Answers. Again to see what questions people are asking in that niche. Also to see what types of answers people are providing. - By doing the above 2, that gives me some keyword ideas. I then do a little keyword research. When i check in google's search engine the keyword phrase in " ", i will actually check out a few of the web pages for useful information and make notes. If i find an authority site or a great looking site that offers a newsletter, i usually subscribe to their newsletter (i have separate e-mail accounts for different niche newsletters!). - I go to some of the article sites, EZA, Isnare, Squid, Hubpages and try and find relevant articles in my niche, I also check out what's on the other side of the links in the articles. Products, Websites, More Articles, etc. - A lot of info in my niches can be found offline. So i often pop to the shops (and get a nice break from sitting in front of the PC) and check out adverts, reviews, etc in newspapers and magazines. I also think that some newspapers have some of the best headlines ever! Having said that, i like to push myself to get writing and submitting articles and blog posts as quickly as possible. I have a tendency to spend a bit too long on market research. I actually believe some of the best market research comes from people's reactions to what you have written! That's just the basics. I'm sure there is loads of stuff i've missed out! I'm sure the other Warriors will have plenty to share! Cheers Partha