The objective of market research whether you are starting a business or growing an existing one is to find out if there are enough potential customers for your product or service and if enough of them will be eager to pay for the product/service you have to offer. In writing a business plan you want to convince the reader and yourself that there are enough members of your target market to warrant your forecasted sales results. You also must convince the reader that that target market will pay your price for the product. Here are some ideas about how to do the research.

1. Survey – One way to find out if your target market has a need for your product and is willing to pay for your product is to conduct a survey. Check this site for free email surveys that you create yourself. www.surveymonkey.com Not sure what to put on a survey use this link for a library of survey templates. http://www.questionpro.com/akira/showLibrary.do?categoryID=16

2. Focus Group – If you want to brainstorm with a group of people about your product and its attractiveness to the market enlist the aid of a focus group. This group can provide valuable input to shape your offer. The focus group would consist of from 8-10 people in your target group. One book to read on focus groups is called "Focus Groups - A Practical Guide for Applied Research" by Richard Krueger and Mary Anne Casey.

3. Demographic Information – What is the age, sex, income, occupation, marital status of your target market. How many prospects are in your target market? For demographic information use the site of the US census. www.census.gov. and read some of the articles on this website http://www.bcentral.com/articles/demographics/default.asp.

4. Interviews – Conduct individual face-to-face interviews with members of your target market. You could use survey questions as an outline for your interview. This will lead you to a more in depth understanding of what your target market wants.

5. Similar Businesses – Talk with others in similar businesses. If it is possible, talk to someone in a similar business perhaps in a different geographic area if talking to a competitor seems inappropriate. Otherwise find people who serve the same target market to find out the concerns and challenges they face.

6. Chambers of Commerce – Chambers of Commerce have a wealth of information about their members and usually know all the businesses in their area. They can direct you to businesses worth talking to and people in your target market.

7. Trend information – Understand the trends that would bring you customers. "Tendspotting –Think Foreword, Get Ahead, Cash in On the Future" by Richard Laemer is a book that addresses the trends in the 21st century.