Why Hiring a VA for Market Research Could Be Your Best Decision

Market research sounds like this big, expensive, corporate thing that only Fortune 500 companies do. The truth is, it's not. And it might be exactly what your business needs to stop flying blind and start making decisions based on actual facts.

But I'm guessing you don't have 20 hours a week to spend digging through competitor websites and analyzing industry reports, right?

That's where getting some help makes all the difference.

The "Research" You're Probably Already Doing

You're already doing some form of market research. You're just doing it the hard way.

You're probably scrolling through your competitor's social media at midnight, wondering how they got so many followers. You're checking out their pricing when you should be sleeping. Maybe you've spent way too much time going down rabbit holes trying to figure out what's working in your industry.

The problem isn't that you don't need this information - you absolutely do. The problem is that random, scattered research isn't giving you the full picture. And it's eating up time you should be spending on actually running your business.

What Real Market Research Looks Like

Here's what proper market research involves (and why you probably haven't been doing it consistently):

Competitor analysis: Not just looking at their website, but tracking their pricing changes, monitoring their content strategy, analyzing their customer reviews, and understanding their positioning.

Industry trend monitoring: Keeping an eye on what's happening in your space - new technologies, changing customer preferences, emerging opportunities.

Customer insights: Understanding what your potential customers are actually searching for, what problems they're trying to solve, and where they're hanging out online.

Market opportunities: Identifying gaps in the market, underserved customer segments, or areas where competitors are dropping the ball.

That's a lot to keep track of, especially when you're trying to run a business at the same time.

Why Most Business Owners Skip This Step

Market research feels like something you'll "get to eventually." It's not urgent like responding to client emails or fixing that website issue. Skipping market research is like driving with your eyes closed. You might be going fast, but you have no idea if you're heading in the right direction.

Plus,: research can be boring. Spending hours analyzing spreadsheets and competitor websites isn't exactly why you started your business.

But what if someone else could do all that digging for you and just give you the insights you need to make better decisions?

How a VA Can Help You

Systematic competitor monitoring: Your VA can set up regular monitoring of your competitors - tracking their pricing, new products, marketing campaigns, and customer feedback. You get a monthly report instead of random midnight scrolling sessions.

Industry trend tracking: They can monitor industry publications, follow key influencers, and keep tabs on emerging trends that could impact your business. No more feeling behind on what's happening in your space.

Customer research: From analyzing search trends to monitoring online discussions about your industry, your VA can gather insights about what your potential customers really want.

Data that actually makes sense: Instead of overwhelming you with spreadsheets, a good VA presents research in a way that helps you make decisions. Clear insights, not data dumps.

And whatever else you might need!

The Information Advantage

Here's what happens when you actually know what's going on in your market:

Better pricing decisions: You know exactly where you stand compared to competitors and can price confidently.

Smarter marketing: You understand what messages resonate with your audience and where to find them.

Product development insights: You can spot gaps in the market and develop solutions your customers actually want.

Competitive positioning: You know exactly how to differentiate yourself from everyone else in your space.

Opportunity identification: You can spot trends early and position yourself ahead of the competition.

The Research Process

Here's how our clients typically set this up:

1. Research planning: You and your VA identify what information would be most valuable for your business decisions

2. Data collection: Your VA systematically gathers information from competitors, industry sources, and customer touchpoints

3. Analysis and insights: They organize the data and identify key patterns and opportunities

4. Regular reporting: You receive clear, actionable insights on a regular schedule

5. Strategic application: You use these insights to make informed business decisions

The result? You're always one step ahead because you actually know what's happening in your market.

Having someone dedicated to keeping you informed about your market isn't just nice to have - it's a competitive advantage. While your competitors are making decisions based on guesswork, you're making moves based on actual data.

You'll spot opportunities earlier, avoid costly mistakes, and position your business more strategically. Plus, you'll finally stop wondering what your competitors are up to because you'll actually know.

Remote Bob VAs

Think about it this way: how much time do you currently spend wondering about your competition or trying to figure out market trends? Probably more than you realize.

Now imagine having all that information organized and delivered to you regularly, without you having to lift a finger. That's time you can spend on strategy, business development, or actually serving your customers.

At Remote Bob, our VAs specialize in gathering the market informations you need to make informed business decisions. They handle the time-consuming research so you can focus on strategy and growth.

Want to chat about what market research could do for your business? 

Book a call with us on this link or reach out on email customers@remotebob.co.uk.

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