Publish Original Research that Drives Your Content Marketing Strategy
Learn how to conduct survey-based research that is original and strategic—and provides a unique point of view
Do you wish you had something meaningful to share and talk about?
Do you struggle with gaining the ever-elusive link to your site to help boost your SEO?
Are you responsible for generating leads, but everything you’ve tried recently just doesn’t work?
Have you considered creating original research, but have no idea where to start?
Are you completely out of ideas, but don’t have the time, resources, or money to start anything new?
Wouldn't it be better to have something meaningful, something inspiring to share and talk about?
Chances are you didn't become a marketer to write endless streams of "me too" content. Even though you know it’s the wrong thing to do, you are either being told to do it or you have no creative bone left in your body. The feeling leaves you (and your readers) uninspired.
Wouldn't it be better to have something meaningful, something inspiring to share and talk about? Would you feel more inspired, more confident, and generate better leads?
By its very nature, original research is new. While you may (and should) have your hypothesis, when you conduct surveys, you always learn something new—and have something unique to share.
Publishing survey-based research works because it's original. It's an ideal way to get a backlink, it’s a magnetic lead source, and it’s an outstanding approach to build your brand's authority.
But, if you're like many of the marketers I talk to, this process feels time-consuming, expensive...and just plain hard!
Does any of this sound familiar:
How do I know if I'm asking the right questions?
How do I find people to take my survey (and how many people do I even need)?
What steps are involved in the process?
Can I really do it myself or do I need to hire a professional?
Once I have the data, how do I make sense of it?
How do I promote the results to gain all the business outcomes I need?
Do I need to have a background in statistics?
How much time will this take?
What if you spend all of that time and don't get results?
Introducing Your Big IDEA Research
This new program from Mantis Research shares the process we have developed over time and use with all of our clients to help them conduct and publish research that is credible, generates stories and gets results. The program includes extensive training, but the magic happens with the personal coaching so we can create something great . . . together.
Here’s What You’ll Get When You Sign Up
One-on-one coaching
No research project is cookie-cutter even with videos and worksheets that guide you through the process. Phone check-ins are scheduled at key parts of the process, and you can ask question over email anytime!
Step-by step worksheets
Watching videos on how to do something is useful, but the best path forward is to do. All lessons include specific homework and worksheets so you always moving forward.
Immediate access to all courses
Unlike some courses that drip out lessons based on their timetable, you'll get immediate access to all of the lessons so you can work on this when you have time and momentum.
Templates and checklists
While this process can't be automated, you'll have access to many templates, checklists and other materials to make the process as efficient as possible.
See what's inside
The course is based on the IDEA model, which is the 4-step process Mantis created and uses with all of our clients to help them publish credible, compelling research that gets results.
I
IMPACT
You'll start by identifying the impact you want your research to have, and by the end of this module, you'll have a plan on how to get there.
Lessons include:
- Getting Started with Your Big Idea
- Setting Your Research Goal
- Choosing Your Research Topic
- Brainstorming Your Story
- Deciding How to Get Survey Responses
- Crafting Your Research Mission Statement
D
DATA
This module take you through all aspects of survey design, programming, launch and analysis so you'll have data that is both credible and story-worthy.
Lessons include:
- Defining Your Demographics
- Writing Your Survey Questions
- Avoiding Common Mistakes with Your Survey
- Programming and Testing Your Survey
- Cleaning and Data and Creating Your Reports
E
EXPLORATION
Once you have your data and key editorial themes in hand, we’ll focus on how to mine stories and launch your findings in a way that aligns with the impact you want to make.
Lessons include:
- Finding Stories in Your Data
- Developing Your Research Report
- Visualizing Your Data
- Creating a Basic Launch Plan
A
Amplification
Your job isn't over because your research is out in the world. Your next task: create at least 6 pieces of content from it. This example-heavy last section will walk you through how to prioritize your best opportunities.
Lessons include:
- Amplifying Your Findings (lots of examples)
- Prioritizing Your Best Opportunities
- Using Research to Start Conversations on LinkedIn
BONUS
You'll also get these benefits when you join the pilot
We're confident the pilot course packs in a ton of value, but we are offering the early iteration of this program at a discount so we can get your feedback and make it even better. The upside: You'll have unlimited access to phone calls to work through your project at you'll be able to shape the course for future students.
Unlimited coaching
While this course will always include one-on-one calls, during the pilot, you'll be able to schedule unlimited calls to get answers to your questions, review your work, etc.
Lifetime access
This pilot course is already full of value, but it will continue to grow . . . and you'll always have access so you can benefit from the continued improvements.
About The Course Teacher,
Michele Linn
Michele Linn is the co-founder and head of strategy at Mantis Research, a consultancy focused on helping marketers publish and amplify original research.
Before starting Mantis, Michele was head of editorial at Content Marketing Institute, where she led the company's strategic editorial direction, helped build their email list to 200,000 subscribers and wrote hundreds of articles. One of her favorite projects (and the inspiration for Mantis) was working with the research team on their annual, leading content marketing research.
She is regularly cited as a content marketing influencer and was named one of Folio's Top Women in Media (Corporate Visionary).
Michele enjoys connecting with others and sharing ideas with other passionate marketers.
Learn how to conduct survey-based research… even if you don't have a big budget or a background in statistics
Mantis works on custom research engagements with clients all the time, and our costs start at $15,000. However, we have talked with so many marketers who want to create research for themselves or their clients, but they simply don't have the budget.
Can you create your research on your own? Of course you can!
Take Andy Crestodina, for example. His annual blogging study gets amazing results and gets a backlink every.single. day. He created and published this successful research on his own . . . but it took him 150 hours.
This course is our way to help those with smaller budgets publish research in the most time-efficient way while getting you results that matter to your business.
Not only do we walk you through all steps of the process, but we also have check-ins at key points to make sure you're on the right path. For instance, we'll review your survey with you to ensure questions aren't biased before you send it out.
In short, we want all marketers to be able to publish something that gets results . . . and that they are proud of. (Chances are, you may even have fun in the process!)
Investment
Comprehensive training and unlimited coaching
$
5000
regular course
One sentence summary of what they get
$
99
/month
Advanced course
One sentence summary of what they get
$
127
/month
Look at what clients have to say about working with Mantis
Conducting and publishing your own research isn't quick, but it is rewarding. And so many people we work with tell us that working on a project like this brings other areas of their marketing into focus.
Renee Chemel
VP of Marketing, PowerInbox
A lot of fun
“Working with Mantis on our first research project was money well spent. Mantis was the right partner because they asked thoughtful questions and helped us dive into a topic that was not straightforward. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the engagement? This was a lot of fun!"
Hailley Griffis
Public Relations Director, Buffer
Something much stronger
"After a long time spent admiring Michele’s work, it was such a pleasure to work with her at Mantis Research. Michele took a survey we were running a second time and helped turn it into something much stronger. Her thoughtful advice and expertise went a long way into making the final results and the final study more powerful and enticing. I can highly recommend Michele and Mantis Research for their in-depth knowledge and dedicated work ethic."
Ronnie Higgins
Senior Content Marketing Strategist, Eventbrite
Valuable, actionable insight
"Eventbrite has partnered with Mantis on our annual trends report for the last 3 years and couldn't be more satisfied. Mantis doesn't just help you conduct original research, they apply their extensive marketing and branding know-how to ensure you're capturing valuable, actionable insight."
Is this course for you?
We'll be honest: This course is not for everyone, but if you're the right fit, you'll have everything you need to be successful