Then, she dives DEEP into each one, starting with Initial Discovery Questions.
[NOTE: Katie was on fire here. Insights out the whazoo! For time and space... and my sanity... I've chosen just one gem, from each step, to share.]
(1) Initial Discovery Questions
These are to ensure you understand the full environment you're advertising within.
Not just who your prospect is demographically and psychographically. But, also, the landscape of competitive positioning, common pricing, marketplace trending, influencer impact, keywords, search volume, etc.
You need to see the forest for the trees. The overview of the space, first. Then drill down.
This is how you ensure your ad ideas and creative are fresh and compelling.
(2) Exploring the Customer Journey
What does your prospect see, hear, feel, at each step of your marketing campaign?
What's the primary emotion and feeling being stimulated by the headline and campaign lead?
What does the product or service being offered truly do or change for the prospect? And how will that result make the prospect feel?
These are just some of the questions you need to answer. These ensure your ad campaigns are emotionally congruent with the main marketing message. Something essential for a high sales conversion rate.
(3) Using Research Tools To Find Answers
Don't guess at anything.
Every benefit, every promise, every claim, every hot button you push in your marketing should come from your research process.
If you're guessing at, or assuming anything, you're leaving money on the table.
I love what Katie said before she dove into all the tools they use:
"You don't have to be a creative genius. You just have to know how to use the resources around you. Don't work hard; work smart."
(4) Aligning Your Research With Existing Customer Insights
An example...