Whether you want to keep up with what’s happening in your industry or collect feedback from your customers, social media makes it easy to conduct business research. Facebook now has an “Ask a Question” function, which makes it easy to survey your audience. If you’d like to send out a more complex survey, there are several websites where you can create a free survey, such as surveymonkey.com. You can then place a link to that survey in your social networks – on Twitter, Facebook and LInkedIn, as well as Google+.
Easy research tips for:
- Twitter: Ask a poll question that just requires a simple reply. For a more complex survey, include a link to your survey on Twitter.
- Facebook: Use the Ask A Question function for polls. Link to a longer survey (set up in another program).
- Google+: Same as above for Facebook
- LinkedIn: Use the ANSWERS section of LinkedIn to asks your question. There is room to ask a complex question and LinkedIn users pride themselves on answer questions and being perceived as thought leaders and experts. You can also award the best answer as winner, adding clout to that user’s profile.
In early 2010, we were looking to name a new webinar series in which we’d feature best-selling business book authors. This series, now known as BOOKED for Lunch, was named when, after running a survey on Facebook members suggested names which we then put to a poll. BOOKED for Lunch came out on top and we thank member Linda Fairbairn for the suggestion of what is now a very popular series of webinars.
What sort of research can you do on Social Media?
Pretty much anything. As long as you don’t mind it being public. I find that community members are happy to contribute if asked questions the answers from which they will also benefit. e.g., Ask them how you can improve your products and services or what new products/services they’d like to see? So, go ahead and ask:
- Which logo do they like best?
- What’s a great name for a new product?
- What can you do to help them?
- What’s their opinion on an issue or topic relevant to your industry or business?
Be sure to thank and reply to all that respond!
Keep it simple
Keep your research simple. Social media moves so quickly and is often scanned rather than read. So, keep your questions simple and to the point. If you get a lot of interest, but need more depth in answers, you can always approach those who have shown interest and ask for more participation.
Do it well
And, if you want expert advice in structuring your survey questions then I recommend you contact Kate Tribe of Tribe Research who advises the Australian Businesswomen’s Network.
Researching competitor activity
Some business research doesn’t require active participation on your part. If you want to know what your competitors are doing, join their social media groups and watch as a passive spectator.
Start listening, and reap the rewards
Research is really all about listening. What are people saying about my brand? Are my customers satisfied? What are my competitors saying? What are the latest trends in the industry? Social media is an invaluable tool for listening. Social Media is a great way to get quick feedback. So, go ahead and try it. Had some success with research and social media? Comment and let us know.
