Unlocking Growth: Why Market Research is Smart for Your Business

When you think of market research, do you picture giant corporations pouring resources into endless surveys?

Think again. Market research isn’t reserved for Fortune 500 companies; it’s essential for every business, even if you’re a one-person show.

Torie Mathis, CEO, entrepreneur, and marketing expert, shares simple yet effective ways to start learning about your audience and turning data into real business results in her video.

Who Your Customers Follow

Instead of guessing what your audience wants, why not see who already inspires, educates, and entertains them? Torie Mathis recommends kicking off your customer research journey by figuring out who your customers follow online. Are there blogs, influencers, or businesses they trust? Which TV shows, social profiles, or podcasts do they tune into?

This approach helps you grasp their interests, hobbies, and values. Observing their online habits uncovers what truly matters to them, so your products, services, and content feel tailor made.

Problems You Can Solve

The heart of successful marketing is solving real customer problems. When you know who your audience follows, you’re likely a step closer to understanding their pain points.

As Torie Mathis points out, your customers seek out creators and companies offering solutions, which is why they’re fans. Your job is to find these gaps: What challenges do these influencers and brands address? What’s still unsolved? Meeting your audience’s needs not only positions your business as the answer but also builds lasting trust.

Spot Your Competition

Peeking at your customers’ online footprints can also reveal their buying habits. Are they tagging businesses they purchase from? Do they promote or review products? Details like these spotlight which brands are winning their loyalty and where your opportunities lie.

Better yet, you’ll discover your competition. By understanding who’s popular in your industry and how your customers engage, you can strategically differentiate yourself, either by filling in what others miss or amplifying your unique strengths.

How To Gather This Information

So, how do you actually find all this data? Torie Mathis breaks it down:

• Social media sleuthing: Browse your customers’ profiles to see which brands and influencers they follow. Notice what and who they share or tag.
• Ask them directly: Use simple surveys, host online focus groups, or have casual conversations to learn more about their favorite content creators and purchasing habits.
• Engage with your audience: Every customer interaction is a research opportunity. Ask questions, be curious, and make notes of trends.

Next, use what you learn to build your ideal customer avatar, a clear profile of their needs, wants, and motivators. This becomes your secret weapon for marketing that hits the mark.

Turn Research Into Action

Once you’ve uncovered who your customers follow, take your research one step further by interacting with those influencers and brands. Follow them yourself. Analyze their content and strategies. Look for collaboration opportunities, as these can skyrocket your credibility and expand your reach.

With just a little research, you’ll uncover the powerful benefits of truly knowing your audience. And best of all, it doesn’t require complicated tools, just a bit of time and curiosity on social media.

Smart Marketing Doesn’t Stop Here!

But market research is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to a smart marketing strategy. Let me ask you a question: Do you know how your marketing stacks up?

Find out by taking the SMART Marketing quiz. Get customized results on how to get smarter with your marketing, you’ll learn exactly what YOUR business should focus on, get customized recommendations on how to get the best bang for your marketing buck, and unleash your business’s true potential. It’s like having a personal marketing coach by your side!

And remember, you don’t need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or a dedicated staff to market your business; you don’t even need a lot of time.

What you need is to be smart, and market research is smart for your business.

If you're ready to grow your business with smart marketing you can:

1. Sign up for weekly FREE Business Bytes with CEO, Torie Mathis

2. Get a SMART Funnel and begin to automate your marketing

3. Learn Digital Marketing with a Smart Marketing Course

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: TORIE MATHIS

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs grow their business with Smart Marketing.  She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, international speaker + trainer, and the CEO + Creative Director at Lake Shark Media. She also teaches entrepreneurs how to get smart with digital marketing at toriemathis.com