Small market research consultancy
Build a small team offering ongoing research, focus groups and reports for mid-sized local and regional companies.
- $3k-15k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
4,401 US businesses with employees in this field, -2.7% in a year
NAICS 541910 “Marketing research and public opinion polling”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
A small consultancy that runs larger studies: online panels, in-person interviews, focus groups and competitor reviews, delivered as full reports and presentations. You may bring in part-time analysts or interviewers.
Your first three steps
- Form an LLC with your state, get an EIN from the IRS and open a separate business bank account
- Line up two or three contract analysts or interviewers and a survey or panel platform you can use for client work
- Approach marketing agencies and regional companies with a small paid pilot study and a clear sample deliverable
Who pays
Mid-sized regional companies, healthcare and education organizations, franchises and marketing agencies that outsource research.
How it makes money
Project fees and monthly retainers for ongoing tracking studies, with extra charges for focus groups, presentations and custom analysis.
Skills that help
- Research design and analysis
- Managing projects and contractors
- Selling to business clients
- Presenting findings
Watch out for
- Check city or county business license rules and whether your office space is zoned for commercial use
- Workers' compensation insurance may be needed once you hire employees, and check how your state treats contractors versus employees
- General and professional liability insurance are worth checking before taking larger contracts
- Focus groups and panels involve paying participants and handling personal data, so check consent and privacy requirements
- Clients can pay late on big projects, so ask for deposits and milestone payments
Deep research report · US
Everything you need to start: small market research consultancy
Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a market research consultancy?
Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your office space, tools and any part-time help. Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number and size of client projects.
What licenses, insurance and rules should I check?
Check city or county business license rules and whether your office is zoned for commercial use. Check workers' compensation once you hire and how your state treats contractors, plus general and professional liability insurance, consent and privacy rules for panels.
What skills and time does a research consultancy need?
The idea typically needs at least about 30 hours a week. Useful skills are research design and analysis, managing projects and contractors, selling to business clients and presenting findings. Ask for deposits and milestone payments, since clients can pay late.
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