Market research analysts pore over trending keywords, survey responses, social media mentions, and more to understand markets, customers, and competitors. Learn more about this high-demand role.
Market research analysts鈥攕ometimes called market researchers鈥攈elp companies develop or maintain a competitive edge by finding and delivering data-backed insights into potential markets, competitors, and even customer behaviour.
They鈥檙e an integral part of a company鈥檚 overall marketing strategy and are in demand across multiple industries. Look at the role of a market research analyst and what you can expect working in the field.
Market research analysts pore over trending keywords, survey responses, social media mentions, and other data to find answers. Essentially, they transform information into actionable insights that will help companies develop everything from competitive product launches to effective marketing campaigns.听聽聽
Each company鈥檚 needs differ, but your responsibilities as a market research analyst may include:
Developing data collection tools and techniques聽
Using data modelling tools
Analysing data sets and communicating findings聽
Contributing data-backed insights to marketing strategy聽
Conducting product testing and brand research聽
A market research analyst conducts qualitative and quantitative research. In other words, they gather statistical data and solicit responses about people鈥檚 beliefs, opinions, and experiences.听聽
An analyst鈥檚 research can span multiple areas, including:聽
Primary and secondary customer research鈥攅verything from demographics to opinions鈥攈elps a company develop more targeted marketing and align its products and services with customers鈥 differing needs. Market research analysts may also identify how companies find, acquire, and retain customers while avoiding churn鈥攐r customer loss.听
Primary research is research you conduct yourself, building original tools or techniques to help you collect new information. Research someone else has done, like a government agency or research think tank, is considered secondary research.
As a company develops new offerings鈥攍ike products, services, or ideas鈥攎arket research about competitors, similar products, and potential sales can help successfully position each launch. Market research analysts investigate new and existing markets, learning as much as possible so they can deliver precise suggestions.
Both new and established companies rely on brand research to strengthen their position in the market. Conducting a competitive analysis to see how a company鈥檚 brand fares against competitors and researching customers鈥 brand awareness and perception helps them remain competitive. Those findings can also yield insights into customer acquisition, retention, and loyalty.
Understanding how a company鈥檚 customers feel about advertising at all phases of a marketing campaign can produce specific messaging and, in turn, more impactful campaigns. Whilst this type of research typically falls under a marketing analyst role, market research analysts at smaller companies may sometimes analyse a company鈥檚 marketing strategy.
Market research analyst jobs typically require a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business or a related field to qualify for an entry-level role. More senior-level market research analyst jobs may require a master鈥檚 degree or several years of experience.
Subjects and coursework that can prepare you for a job as a market research analyst:聽
Business administration聽
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Marketing
Psychology
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Statistics
Data collection tools: Market research analysts gather data from various sources, including surveys, social media platforms, keyword trends, and audience insights. Market research analysts use Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Trends, and SEMrush, among many other tools, to learn more about customers, markets, and competitors.
Statistical analysis: Because market research involves working with quantitative data, it鈥檚 important to understand how to apply statistical techniques to group your data into relevant, actionable findings. Whilst many programs, like the data visualisation tools below, offer a statistical analysis feature, they shouldn鈥檛 replace a more foundational knowledge.听聽
Data visualisation: Once a market research analyst has collected relevant data, they must structure their findings comprehensively. Using data dashboards or data analytics suites can help convey essential findings to other teams. Market research analysts use data visualisation tools like Tableau, Qlikview, and Plotly.听聽
Programming languages: Although not always necessary, some companies do require market research analysts to know a programming language, such as R, SQL, SAS, or SPSS, which feeds into their data gathering and data interpretation efforts. Make sure to read over job descriptions to learn which language, if any, a company prefers.
Interpretation: Parsing data is critical to a market research analyst鈥檚 role. After gathering the necessary data, you must interpret those findings in light of a company鈥檚 product and marketing needs.听聽
Critical thinking: Conducting market research means asking the right questions to find the best data, extracting meaning from collected data, and then applying those insights to a company鈥檚 marketing strategy.听聽聽聽
Communication: Translating insights into recommendations that other teams can act upon will help in a marketing research analyst's line of work. A strong ability to speak and write clearly and constructively is an asset.听
Interviewing: Many market research analysts rely on digital surveys to glean customer responses, but the role can also involve conducting customer interviews or focus groups. Being comfortable speaking with strangers and getting them to open up about their experiences is a key skill.
As companies need insight into customer behaviour to keep their competitive edge, market research analysts will continue to serve an integral role. In 2021, revenue in the Asian Pacific market research industry grew more than 10 per cent year over year []. This trend should continue, as experts expect the global market to exceed $83 billion by 2025 [].
According to Glassdoor, the median salary for a market research analyst in India is 鈧5,15,767, though salary can differ depending on the industry [].
Market research analysts share much in common with roles that also parse data and deliver strategic insights.
Although market research analysts are sometimes confused鈥攁nd even called鈥攎arketing analysts, the two roles differ slightly. Marketing analysts focus internally on a company鈥檚 marketing efforts rather than externally on markets, but both roles use data to inform their recommendations.
Another role that relies heavily on data, a business analyst analyses large data sets to make recommendations that will strengthen a business鈥 processes and help it run more efficiently.
With a much broader role than the three previously described, a data analyst typically works with large, raw data sets that must first be cleaned to yield important insights. Data analysts apply their findings to an array of organisational and business needs.
Whilst some entry-level market research analyst roles exist, most employers prefer at least two years of experience. If you鈥檙e interested in becoming a market research analyst, consider a related role to help you gain experience and grow more competitive. Working as a marketing assistant or data analyst can provide you with the experience necessary to move into market research analysis.
Knowing that market research analysts use specific tools to gather and assess customer, market, and competitor data, it鈥檚 a good idea to research the most popular programs and refine your knowledge of them. Watch tutorials, use free trials, and familiarise yourself with the tools of the trade.
Taking courses that expose you to critical strategies of market research can help introduce you to the work of a market research analyst. You can start with the offered on 糖心vlog官网观看. You鈥檒l learn how to manage digital marketing campaigns, attract and engage customers, and prepare for media planner and marketing coordinator jobs.听
Statista. ", https://www.statista.com/statistics/378039/annual-change-in-market-research-revenue-by-region/." Accessed July 27, 2023.
PRNewswire. ", https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-marketing-research-and-analysis-services-market-report-2021-market-is-expected-to-reach-83-39-billion-in-2025---forecasts-to-2030--301338542.html." Accessed July 27, 2023.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/market-research-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm.鈥 Accessed July 27, 2023.
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