Freelance market researcher

Small and medium businesses, charities, marketing agencies and start-ups that cannot afford a large research firm.

Fixed project fee or day rate, for example a customer survey with a short report, or a set of interviews with a summary of the findings.

• Writing clear survey questions
• Spotting patterns in data
• Confident interviewing and listening
• Clear report writing

• Data protection: check ICO registration and UK GDPR rules for collecting and storing personal data
• Consider professional indemnity insurance as well as public liability, and check what clients expect
• Check whether the Market Research Society code of conduct is expected by your clients
• Income can be uneven at first, so plan for gaps between projects

Startup costs are typically around £200 to £1,500, depending on your software, equipment and insurance. These are estimates, so check which tools and cover you need before you take on your first client.

Check ICO registration and UK GDPR rules for collecting and storing personal data. Also consider professional indemnity insurance alongside public liability, and check whether clients expect you to follow the Market Research Society code of conduct.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many projects you win and what you charge. Income can be uneven at first, so plan for gaps between projects. Estimates start from about 8 hours a week.