Have you ever had that “I know this idea is golden, but will anyone actually care?” feeling? Maybe it’s a podcast idea, a product you want to launch, or a new service you think your clients will love. Here’s the deal: market research groups might be just the thing you need to make it all come together.
Today, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how one mom and client of mine launched her podcast with the support of her amazing market research group – and how you can use the same approach for whatever you’re planning to launch. The best part? It makes the whole process feel so much easier and less overwhelming.
Let’s dive into why market research groups are like having a cheat sheet for launching (without all the second-guessing)! And before we start, if you need one to help validate your ideas or offers, head over to BossMom+!
Launching something new can feel pretty terrifying, right? The worry about “What if no one shows up or buys?” can freeze us in our tracks. That’s why market research groups are a game-changer: they give you a safe space to test your ideas and get feedback before you officially launch.
When my client was thinking about her podcast, she didn’t just cross her fingers and hope for the best. She created a Facebook group for Working Christian Moms and spent almost a year building that community, sharing value, and learning about what mattered most to her audience. By the time she was ready to launch, she already knew her listeners and what they wanted to hear. And that confidence? Priceless.
Takeaway: Don’t guess about what your audience wants – use a market research group to ask, learn, and connect. It’ll help you create something that you know will resonate.
Starting your own market research group might sound like a big project, but it’s actually really simple. And the pay-off? So worth it. Here’s how my client did it – and how you can too:
Building a community around shared interests and values will help you launch with a group of people who already know and love what you’re doing – because they helped shape it!
Once her group was rolling, she started casually sharing her podcast idea and paying attention to what her members were excited about. Their reactions helped her refine her ideas, choose the right topics, and get clarity on what her audience really wanted.
You can use your group in the same way, whether you’re launching a product, a podcast, or a service. Ask questions like:
Getting this feedback before you officially launch saves so much time and stress! Plus, it reassures you that there are real people out there who want what you’re creating.
Thanks to the feedback from her group, she was able to plan a podcast format that was exactly what her audience wanted. She went with a laid-back, conversational interview style (like the Boss Mom Podcast) because that was what her group already loved.
When you’re ready to plan your own content, here’s what you can learn from her approach:
One of the best parts of having a market research group is the excitement that builds up as you get closer to launch. By the time NJ launched her podcast, her community was ready and waiting – they felt invested in the journey and were excited to listen and share.
And here’s a little launch tip: share your plan with your group first! They’ll be your first listeners, customers, or fans, and they’re already eager to support you. Launching to a warm audience of people who already believe in what you’re doing? Game-changing.
Launching a podcast isn’t just about going live—it’s about opening up, connecting, and hoping your message resonates with others. For my client, this journey was deeply personal. She didn’t want to just share Bible verses or polished sound bites. Instead, she wanted to offer her listeners real conversations about the hard parts of faith and motherhood. Here’s how she did it, one step at a time.
She also knew she wanted her podcast to stand out by being open and honest, offering a different approach from the polished faith content often seen online. Instead of only sharing the “pretty” side of faith, she chose to dig into the messy, challenging parts. It was about showing women that it’s okay to struggle—and that there’s beauty and growth in that struggle, too.
If you’re thinking of launching something yourself, start by asking: “What part of my journey could genuinely connect with others?” Often, it’s the hard parts that speak to people the most.
With her first episode ready to go, she turned to three close friends she knew would be honest with her. She needed reassurance that she was on the right track, and sharing it with this small group helped her feel more confident. Their encouragement made a huge difference: they loved it and couldn’t wait for it to launch.
Takeaway: A small, trusted group can make all the difference in those early stages. If you’re working on something new, don’t be afraid to show it to a few close friends who get your vision and will give you honest, supportive feedback.
Once she had her friends’ feedback, she took the next step and shared her podcast with her email list. She introduced the first three episodes, explained what each was about, and clearly asked for their support. Whether it was subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing, she made it easy for them to help out. And her email list responded with enthusiasm, giving her a great initial boost.
Pro Tip: Don’t be shy about asking for help. When you clearly ask your community to take specific actions—like subscribing, reviewing, or sharing—they’re usually happy to lend a hand. Just make it easy and be specific.
Once her podcast was live on iTunes, she kept it quiet a bit longer, giving it a soft start so that early listeners could find it on their own. Then, she officially went public. She shared it in her Facebook group and other communities and eventually posted about it on her main social media channels. She even reached out to a few key partners to ask for support.
Tip: A phased launch can really build momentum. If you’re starting something new, you don’t have to go all-out on day one. Instead, share it with your core group first, then your email list, and then open it up more broadly on social media. This gradual build can create excitement and give you a strong foundation to grow from.
For my client, the fact that she had even launched the podcast was a huge win. But she also set a few clear goals for herself, like reaching 60 ratings and reviews by the end of May. She picked this goal partly because it would help her stand out in her niche.
She’s also got her sights set on a bigger vision: reaching 10,000 downloads per episode within the next year. But for now, her focus is on showing up, putting in the work, and connecting with her audience, one episode at a time.
Takeaway: Set realistic, motivating goals and celebrate each win along the way. And don’t lose sight of what those metrics actually mean—each download or review is a real person taking the time to engage with your work. That’s something to be proud of.
My client ran into a challenge right out of the gate. Her first episode was recorded in Zoom, which doesn’t have the best audio quality for solo shows. Her podcast producer let her know the sound could be improved. But instead of re-recording (which she said took “about 95 tries” the first time), she decided to roll with it and added a little message at the start explaining the sound issue.
This early learning curve is something many creators face. Sometimes it’s better to let go of perfection and focus on getting your message out there. If you’re starting something new, it doesn’t have to be flawless—especially not at the beginning.
Each download isn’t just a number; it’s a person listening on the other end. On her first day, she reached 75 people, and she felt proud and grateful for each one. It was validation that her message mattered.
If you’re building something, remember that every new follower, listener, or customer represents a real person. This perspective helps keep things grounded, especially in those early days when numbers are just starting to grow.
My client’s ultimate goal is to impact her listeners, share her faith journey, and offer encouragement. She isn’t letting herself get caught up in the numbers or comparison. By staying focused on her mission and connecting authentically, she knows the growth will follow.
So, whatever you’re working on—whether it’s a podcast, a blog, or a business—try to keep it personal. Embrace the small, meaningful steps, and remember that each connection you make matters.
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