Worked example
Distinguish stated interest from a stronger buying signal
Illustrative scenario and demonstration data. Not Broad Promo client results or a performance promise.
| Research stage | Illustrative observation | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|
| Exploratory interviews | 12 of 20 participants describe the problem | Market-wide demand |
| Offer review | 8 of those 20 request more information | A purchase commitment |
| Permitted pilot invitation | 3 of those 20 accept a paid pilot | Repeatable acquisition at scale |
The stages follow the same 20 fictional participants, not a representative market sample. Paid-pilot interest is a different signal from positive comments, but terms, recruitment and the actual payment commitment still need review.
What matters for market research
Market research reduces uncertainty around a specific business decision. It can explore demand, customer needs, competitor positioning, pricing, and new markets. The method should follow the question: existing evidence may answer some issues, while surveys or interviews are needed for others. A clear brief states the decision, target population, available budget, and what evidence would change the plan.
Define what the evidence can support
Start with the decision you need to make, whose experiences you need to understand, and what you already know. Recruit people who fit that audience, not just those who are easiest to reach. Review the questions or discussion guide before the research begins, checking that the wording is clear and does not steer people toward a preferred answer.
Agree how the findings will be analysed and presented. Survey reports should explain who took part and the sample size for each group. Interview reports should show themes, context, and different experiences. Be clear about missing perspectives and uncertainty. Use the findings to guide a decision or test, not to promise sales or justify a conclusion chosen in advance.
A practical checklist
- State the business decision the research must support.
- Define the audience and the limits of the market being studied.
- Review credible existing evidence before commissioning new data collection.
- Choose methods and recruitment criteria suited to the decision.
- Document sample limitations and distinguish observations from interpretation.
- Translate findings into options, priorities, and follow-up tests.
Use this checklist to see what is working and what needs attention. Start with the most important change before taking on more work. Record what you change so you can understand the results later.
How to assess the results
Judge research by relevance, methodological clarity, and its usefulness for the decision. Sample quality, question design, recruitment, and analysis matter more than a large slide count. A result should identify uncertainty and contradictions, not simply confirm the initial business idea.
What to include in your brief
Explain the decision you need to make, what you already know, and what findings would change your plan. Define the audience, locations, budget, and deadline. Agree how participants will be recruited, which methods will be used, how the findings will be analysed, and how privacy, data access, and limitations will be handled before research begins.
Ask for a proposal explaining what is included, what your team needs to provide, who owns the work, and what it costs. Agree when you will review progress. Broad Promo can help you plan the services you need and explain how they fit together, with the details confirmed before work begins.