The first thing you should do as a LeadGen "Insider" is read the introduction below and then download and complete the Market Research and Customer Avatar Planner.
To help with the competitor research section of the planner, see Competitor Research and Keywords/Questions/Audience Research. You will learn a great deal about your competition and avoid a lot of wasted time, money, and frustration.
Conducting market research is critical to the long-term success of your business. Without it, you will not have the necessary information to build a solid business, and you will waste a ton of time and money trying to figure out what your ideal customer can tell you in advance.
Market research allows you to understand your potential customers in all areas of their life; their wants, needs, spending habits, even their emotions. It helps you understand your competition and how you can position your business, products, and marketing strategies to give you an edge on the competition.
You wouldn't buy a car without doing some research first, and you shouldn't try to build a business without research either.
Market research consists of two types:
- Primary research where you obtain information directly from potential customers
- Secondary research where you indirectly obtain information from other places.