An up-to-date database not only increases recruiting efficiencies for the database owner, but it also ensures the recruited respondents are an exact match to the recruiting specifications.
Despite more and more companies seeking to capture market research data from online methodologies, focus groups continue to provide meaningful insights into the minds of consumers and business professionals every day. As clients expand into other markets outside their traditional footprint, the need for quality partners is more evident than ever when it comes to participant databases. Clients want to partner with companies that have the recruiting “universe” capable of delivering the desired respondents for a given study. At Observation Baltimore, we take great pride is our ability to deliver targeted respondents for a range of projects including usability tests, ethnographies, central location testing, traditional focus groups and interviews. Below is our roadmap for building a successful database.
Step 1: Educate Community Members about Focus Groups
“Get paid to share your opinion” seems like a simple concept, but many people think it is almost too good to believe. One of the most important components of a robust database is educating the community on what focus groups are, who conducts focus groups and the benefits of participating. At Observation Baltimore, we keep in touch with people in Baltimore and the surrounding areas via email, Facebook, Twitter, and our Observation Baltimore Blog. When people understand what “get paid to share your opinion” actually entails, they are more open to participating.
Step 2: Continuously Expand and Refresh the Database
Continual database expansion is imperative to ensure a consistent pool of fresh respondents. In today’s technology-fueled atmosphere, social media and other online tools are great to keep current and potential database members engaged and informed. Here in Baltimore, our respondents’ word of mouth is also a huge asset to building our database – they are the best people to describe the excitement and benefits of participating in a focus group!
Step 3: Perpetual Maintenance Ensures Quality Respondents
Databases need constant attention. A stagnant database prevents a business from gaining accurate, updated opinions. To keep up with this maintenance, a business needs to be constantly adding new submissions, updating current participant information, and removing participants who have moved away. At Observation Baltimore, we double and triple check our database participants to ensure quality and accuracy.
Step 4: Record Everything & Ensure Precise Organization of the Database
It is imperative to record each and every piece of information a business has about their respondents. An up-to-date database not only increases recruiting efficiencies for the database owner, but it also ensures the recruited respondents are an exact match to the recruiting specifications. This is of the utmost importance in order to gain the most accurate and useful information. The more information a business has, the better – any participant may suddenly become incredibly useful if they qualify to fill the quota for another study.
Step 5: Treat Respondents as well as Clients
Quality in. Quality out. Respondents who are treated with respect and are well taken care of participate better in focus groups and in-depth interviews (IDIs). An enjoyable project experience also helps with word of mouth marketing about the industry and the benefits of participating in focus groups. Respondents are the best research advocates, and will encourage friends to register to participate, further expanding a business’s database. Here at Observation Baltimore, it is our policy to feed all mealtime respondents, as well as offer beverages and snacks at all times.
About Observation Baltimore
We take great pride in creating a special environment for research to thrive, which is why Observation Baltimore is Where The Magic Happens. We are one of the top Maryland market research facilities and rated “One of the World’s Best” by Impulse Survey. Our experienced recruiting is the foundation of our mission, as well as courteous and proactive hospitality and client services. Just six minutes from BWI airport and AMTRAK, our Baltimore research facility has a great location. Most importantly, we understand market research!
To learn more about the market research facility at Observation Baltimore: contact Ryan Ross at 443-543-5345 or click here!