Hot Market: Locavores
Tainted burgers. Contaminated eggs. E. coli scares. No wonder Americans are looking close to home for their food. Read more
Market Research
Recent Market Research Articles
Hot Market: Insomniacs
The problem with an always-on, 24-hour, caffeine-fueled culture: When you want to go to sleep, your humming brain won’t let you. Read more
Hot Market: The Outsourced Work Force
More businesses are turning to remote workers. But can you really be sure that your off-site employees are working? Read more
How to Conduct Qualitative Market Research
A variety of techniques from online chats to video logs can reveal how people feel about your product or service and how you can improve it to make more money. Read more
How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Brand
The aesthetic of your product and its labeling can have a huge impact on sales. If you're DIY branding, here's how to find the right colors. Read more
How to Write a Customer Survey
Looking for insight into what your customers want? Here's how to ask poignant questions they'll actually take the time to answer. Read more
How to Use Sampling and Demos for Customer Feedback
Sometimes, the best way to fuel your company's growth is to give your product away for free. Read more
How to Define Your Target Market
To build a solid foundation for your business, you must first identify your typical customer and tailor your marketing pitch accordingly. Read more
Is Your Industry Hot or Not?
How bright are your business prospects? Do research online to find out—but don't forget to consult trade associations, industry experts, and consumers. Read more
How to Conduct Competitive Research
Who are your closest rivals—and how do they talk about themselves, as well as your company? It's time to find out. Read more
How to Write a Marketing Plan
Experts know that careful planning is integral to marketing success. Here's your guide to crafting a thorough marketing plan - and learning more about your c... Read more
Marketing Tips from the Inc. 5000 Conference 
Zingerman's founder Ari Weinzweig and other top entrepreneurs at the 2009 Inc. 500 Conference offer their marketing secrets. Watch video
Why Demographics Are Crucial to Your Business
A new report projects trends in the United States' shifting demographic landscape and explains why it's important to know your customer. Read more
How to Find New Customers and Increase Sales
How to better understand your target audience, generate new sales leads, and focusing on getting more revenue from existing clientele. Read more
How to Conduct Market Research
A guide to using market research to understand who your customers are and what they want Read more
What You Need to Know About The People Who Read Your Blog
A new study on the habits of blog readers, conducted by The University of California at Irvine, is quietly making the rounds at conferences and Read more
Expanding Into New Territory
One of the most effective tools in expansion will be the word of your satisfied clients. Inc. Expert Nancy Michaels describes how you can most effectivel... Watch video
Where Opportunity Knocks
The world may indeed be your oyster. But not all countries are friendly to American entrepreneurs. Staff writer Max Chafkin highlights the best and worst.... Watch video
How To Know Your Customers Better
Demographics sounds expensive and frightening, but it's a useful tool even for small companies. Read more
Conducting Online Market Research: Tips and Tools
How to use online market research tools, including search techniques, tips, and tools for using the Internet for researching your competition and market. Read more