using several options such as Search Engines including various medical, technical and art/music specific Search Engines, Specific Sites,
Writers, analysts, consultants, marketing specialists, and attorneys are just a few examples of people who do ongoing research. But if you’re a consultant, for example, your time is probably better spent with your customers than finding the data and facts you need.
Research specialists can find the information you need, and often much more quickly than you can find it yourself. No matter how narrow or specialized your request, a researcher can find the answers you need: How many colleges offer aerospace graduate programs, how many retailers sell a particular item in your town, or even how many research projects were posted on Elance in the past six months. (The answer to that one may surprise you – the total is much higher than you probably think.)
Market ResearchEveryone needs customers, but how can you be sure enough customers even exist for your product or service? Information is critical, and market research can help you understand – and act on – the dynamics of your local or global market, on market trends, on customer satisfaction with the products and services in your area… in short, market research will help you understand who and where your customers are, and how to meet their needs. Say you’re a real estate agent and you want to focus on listing and selling high-end homes in your area. How many potential buyers exist in your area? What are your market demographics? What about the demographics of buyers in surrounding areas? Effective research may cause you to advertise your beach-front properties to potential buyers in a nearby city, instead of locally, because a huge untapped market of buyers is just waiting for you. Learn about your target market Sales LeadsWhen you are busy teaching classes or looking after Without sales, you don’t have business. But if you’re spending time meeting prospective clients and servicing existing customers, it’s hard to find new leads. A VA can find and research individuals, companies, and technologies, via blogs, websites and forums. They can prepare reports and briefs to help you determine who to contact next. With the right information in hand you can focus on developing new business relationships instead of having to spend time researching. Find new leads – and key decision-makers Fact CheckingBlogs, podcasts, videos, and other media continue to make it easy for us to communicate. Every day, more and more people use those tools to reach out to customers, clients, and friends. To be persuasive, you need facts on your side; nothing ruins your credibility quicker than inaccurate information. A VA can double-check facts, provide statistics and backup information, and verify data to make sure you always put an accurate foot forward. Get accurate and up-to-date information |
Products or Services to BuyNot sure which car meets your needs? Looking for a home theatre system but can’t make sense of all the different models and specifications? A VA can take into account your budget and preferences, sift through the options, check out reviews and recommendations, and create a short list of the prime contenders for purchase. Plus, a VA can comparison shop, find the best deals possible, and even arrange the purchase if you prefer. Make informed purchase decisions. Products or Services to SellSay you’re interested in starting a business – any business – but with all the competition, you’re not sure where to start. A VA can perform a lot of basic research: Products already marketed that can be privately labelled, products you can buy wholesale and sell at retail, products you can license so you have the right to sell them… the possibilities are endless. If you’re already in business and are considering adding a new product or product line, let a VA handle basic research while you focus on your core business. Find new products or services to sell SpeechwritingSay you’ve been chosen as the best man at your friend’s wedding – congratulations! But what will you say when it comes time to give the toast? Don’t spend hours struggling to find the right words. A skilled writer can turn your thoughts and ideas into a touching and humorous toast that everyone will remember – and you’ll enjoy giving. But don’t stop there – any time you need to make a speech or give a presentation, imagine how confident you’ll be knowing you’ve got the perfect script to follow. Deliver a memorable speech |
