Why Companies Want Your Honest Opinions

[Market research helps companies understand what customers need and want, discover how their brand is seen in the market, and measure how well their strategies are working.](https://www.hanoverresearch.com/insights-blog/corporate/what-is-market-research/) But here's the thing: companies really want to hear from young people like you.

What Is Market Research?

[Market research is an organized effort to gather information about target markets and customers, helping companies understand who they are and what they need.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_research) [Researchers use both qualitative techniques like focus groups and interviews, as well as quantitative techniques like surveys.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_research)

Think of it like this: before a company launches a new video game, app, or snack, they want to know if real people will actually like it. [The goal is to ask questions and get answers—but also discover new ideas by talking to people.](https://money.howstuffworks.com/market-research.htm)

How Market Research Works

[Companies can do research using existing information, or they can ask consumers directly to get a nuanced understanding of their specific target audience.](https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/market-research-competitive-analysis) [Phone calls, mailed questionnaires, and online surveys all offer advantages for companies performing market research.](https://money.howstuffworks.com/market-research.htm)

[Over 85% of companies say market research ROI is over four times the investment,](https://www.hanoverresearch.com/insights-blog/corporate/what-is-market-research/) which means companies believe it's worth spending money to hear what people think.

Why Companies Ask Kids and Teens

Here's why your voice matters: [The youth market is critical because of young people's buying power and their influence on family spending, and teens often set trends adopted by other age groups.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_marketing)

[Young people are less likely to censor their opinions and have unique perspectives on products and services, bringing different insights than adults because they're still developing.](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/best-practices-qual-mr-children-young-people) [If you want to know the truth about a product, ask a child—they won't hold back.](https://www.sarosresearch.com/researcher/specialisms/children-teenagers/)