From Insights to Action: Using Market Research to Improve Your Business
Hey, SEE YOUTH’STERS! Zayn here. If you read my last piece on holiday market research, you already know how powerful it is to go out, talk to people, and gather real insights. But what’s next? Now that you have all this information, it’s time to break it down and actually use it to level up your business. Let’s go!
1. Organise Your Data
Start by looking at the answers you got. If you spoke to 20-30 people, you’ll probably see some common themes. Maybe a lot of people mentioned they look for affordability first, or they prefer brands with eco-friendly packaging. Create categories like:
Price Sensitivity: Are people willing to pay more for quality?
Trends & Preferences: What styles or features stood out?
Shopping Habits: How do they discover and buy products?
2. Identify Patterns & Takeaways
Look for repeated answers. If 80% of people said they hear about brands through Instagram, you know where to focus your marketing. If most shoppers said they’d pay extra for sustainable products, that’s a green flag to improve your materials.
For example, when I did my research for InternationalT, my T-shirt business, I realised a lot of people liked bold, statement t-shirts but wanted unique designs that weren’t overused. That told me I needed to focus on exclusivity and fresh drops.
3. Implement the Findings
Now, take action. Adjust your pricing, tweak your product designs, or shift your marketing strategy. Small changes based on real customer feedback can make a huge difference.
For example, researching my limited edition T-shirt range priced at R299 per item revealed that this was slightly lower than what people were willing to pay, especially because I had artists create the artwork for this range. I adjusted the pricing to R350, and this fit well with the audience I was approaching, and also served the artists well in terms of their commission. I also understood that underpricing a more luxury item makes it seem less desirable, and that aspiration plays a big role in how people feel about products, and what drives them to purchase. Imagine this: you see your dream pair of sneakers. You see your favourite people wearing them. It creates a sense of aspiration within you—you want to be like them, wearing your favourite sneakers. So you work hard to get those sneakers! That’s how powerful aspiration is. It’s bringing your dreams to life.
Market research isn’t just about collecting info—it’s about making smarter moves for your business. Listen to your audience, adapt to their needs, and keep refining your hustle. The more you learn, the more you grow. Keep going, and watch your business thrive!
Need some advice or someone to chat to? Send us a DM on any of our social media pages or email info@seeyouthbycellc.co.za
