One of the first things we learn in any marketing course is to identify our market. The more you know about your market and what they want and need, the easier it is to address their needs. This can be done in a number of ways. One, pay attention to what your customers/clients are asking for. You can determine what your market wants by studying your own market and customers, studying your competitors’ products and services and what your competitors’ customers are buying. And…. by asking.

The more you know, the more targeted your approach to development and delivery of products and services; this equates to higher revenues and higher profit margins.

A well constructed survey will reveal a great deal. There are several types of surveys you can use. You can either do a “name required” survey or one that is completely anonymous. Often, respondents will be more frank and honest with the anonymous survey; people tend to not hold back if they are not identified.

The greatest benefit of surveys is that you know what to do before investing a lot of time or money developing products and services that may not be what your market wants or is willing to pay for.
Survey results give you fodder for articles, media releases, blog postings, and products and services based on what your market wants.
Unfortunately, many professionals spend incredible amounts of time in development based on what they THINK the market wants rather than what they DO want. Survey, survey, survey. This is the magic word.
Keys to Successful Surveys
Identify your objective
Determine what information you need
Develop the questions
Conduct the survey
Analyze the responses
Develop products and services based on results
Repeat
Take time upfront to know who you are working with and your backend efforts will be highly rewarded.
Want to know how to Make Sales Stick? Take my short and anonymous survey and to thank you for your time, you will receive this bonus report absolutely free. No opt-in required.

Survey
closes on January 10, 2010 CLICK HERE to begin survey.