Make the Most out of Consumer Insights
We've talked before about the importance of consumer insights. But here’s the million-dollar question: How, exactly, do you leverage a consumer insight?
First of all, if you hope to drive effective innovation and marketing, you have to be certain you’ve got some great insights. "Really good insights are motivating and have an "ah-ha" quality about them," says facilitator emeritus John Pfeil. "They make people stop and say, 'I've thought that, but I never knew how to say it before.'"
If you’re not sure you have a great insight on your hands, apply these three rules of thumb:
The Head Nod. Think Jerry Seinfeld’s material. These are insights that reflect true consumer resonance, relevance and understanding.
The Head Jerk. Think George Carlin’s routine. These types of insights provoke, inspire and destabilize the standard status quo.
Whiplash. Think Howard Stern territory. This category of insights is not only meant to incite or excite, but to also provoke—sometimes beyond the comfort zone.
Once you know you’re working with some great insights, it’s time to find the one that will work hardest for your brand. The first thing to look for is an insight that elicits action, and makes your brand motivating and compelling to your customer. Your next focus should be on evoking emotion. A well-leveraged insight should not only involve your customer, but should inspire and intrigue them as well. Finally, insights should help you to differentiate your brand. If it doesn’t lead you to a competitive advantage, it’s not the right insight.
Just remember, your goal is to not only influence your customers, but to ultimately drive decision-making in your favor. Even if you collect the most evocative insights, they still need to fit with your brand, your target and your strategy. When you find that sweet spot, customers will follow.
©2013 Ideas To Go, Inc. All rights reserved.
Jill Reiswig is the Content Marketing Manager at Ideas To Go, an innovation agency that works with Fortune 500 companies in ideation and concept development to incorporate the voice of the consumer.
1730 New Brighton Blvd., Suite 104-238, Minneapolis, MN 55413