Yep, I know, entrepreneurs can't afford to pay for market research.  Did you know that the market research firms "share" some of the research at low or no cost?  One of the biggest firms holds free breakfast briefings at the largest consumer products show in the country - every year.  And every year we go, to see what the big trends are.  This year, we learned that they had conducted extensive research profiling the usage and adoption models of consumers relative to consumer technology.  This is probably the biggest breakthrough in technology adoption model thinking since Crossing the Chasm. 

And to think, we have a nice summary of it, for free.   As attendees at these breakfast briefings, we were also invited (at no charge) to their west coast forum for big clients - do you think we went?  You bet!  More great insights.  And another insight - most of the attendees seemed to be big companies - not startups?  Why?  Is this one of the ways they got (and stay) big?  Remember, most big firms were once small firms.

Other big market research firms (and industry associations) publish excerpts, provide free webcasts and otherwise provide insights that can help you in your business.  If you're writing a business plan, even being able to quote ONE statistic from a big market research firm adds credibility to your numbers - you look like you know what you're doing and that you're "in the network".   Remember also that smaller boutique firms specialize in market niches, sign up for their newsletters as well. 

Who are the most important research firms in your business?  Are you signed up on their websites?  Do you get their enewsletters?  Are you on the invite list for events and conferences?  Are you prepared with your lists of influential analysts for the launch for your new product?    Yes, the blogosphere is important, but research firms continue to innovate their delivery models, making their work more affordable.  Perhaps more importantly, larger and more established firms, such as channel partners, corporate partners, bankers and investors, know and respect those firms. Use their stats or show up in their reports, and you have instant cred.

One of my favorite market research secrets is emarketer.com.  They send out a constant stream of studies from the big research firms with graphs and tables - at low or no cost to you.  Sign up for their newsletter!

The steady flow of market insights from these big players can help you be more successful and, like my previous post about the Wall Street Journal, can help you spot the trend!