How to Cut Costs and Save Time When Working With a Research Recruitment Agency
If you're working looking to recruit participants for your research, there are many ways to save both time and money. Follow these tips so you can get the most out of your partnership.
Understand what services and offers you need
So you are looking for help with research recruitment? Great! But how do you know what you need and where to start? A good place to start is to define the project you would like help with. What are the goals of the project? What are you hoping to learn or achieve? Once you have a good understanding of the project, you can then start to think about exactly who you need to interview. Develop as detailed a profile as you can for this person, perhaps even find someone on LinkedIn who matches your needs exactly (we call this the ‘golden participant’) think about what it is that makes them suitable for your particular research.
There are many different types of research recruitment agencies, so be sure to do your research and find one that fits your needs, even better if they have facilitated research in the particular area you are thinking about conducting yours. Some agencies specialise in certain areas of recruitment, such as business-to-business or business-to-consumer.
Once you have found the right research recruitment agency, provide them with all the information they need to get started. What characteristics can you be flexible on? Which are you a little more lenient with? Do you have a hard deadline? Quality or Quantity? Knowing the answers to these questions will help ensure that your project is a success!
Make sure you can recruit participants economically for the duration of the project
It is super important to consider your budget for recruiting participants. Some research recruiters may be more expensive than others. Be sure to ask for quotes (and their respective breakdowns) from a few different agencies to get a clear idea of what the cost will be.
Another thing to consider is the size of your sample pool. Some agencies may have a free first respondent and charge for each participant thereafter (much better for smaller or modular projects) while others may charge per project or hours worked. Be sure to ask the company about how they structure their rates and make sure this is sustainable for you throughout the course of your project - nobody wants to have to pause a project with good recruiting momentum!
Finally, be sure to ask about any hidden fees. Many research recruitment agencies will charge for extras so by asking upfront, you can avoid any surprises down the road.
Maximise efficiency by planning ahead
Maximising efficiency during the planning process is key to a successful project. By working closely with your research recruitment team, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that all aspects of your project, including contingency plans, are accounted for.
Celebrate your success!
Now that you have completed your project, it is time to celebrate! Take some time to reflect on your success and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Reward yourself with something that you have been wanting, or simply bask in the satisfaction of a job well done. Sharing your research findings with others is also a great way to celebrate.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you get the most out of your research recruitment partnership. This will help you save both time and money.