Research That
Business
5 minutes to a professional message.
Know before you message.
Spending just five minutes researching a business will dramatically increase your response rate. You'll look professional, avoid spam, and spot real opportunities.
⏱️ Five-Minute Business Research System
📱 Step 1 – Visit the Facebook page
Open their Facebook page. Look at the cover photo, profile picture, and overall feel. Is it up to date?
📄 Step 2 – Read the About section
Scroll to the About tab. Read the description, contact info, and business category. This tells you who they are and what they do.
📰 Step 3 – Look at the last five posts
Scroll through their recent posts. When was the last one? What do they share? This shows how active they are.
🌐 Step 4 – Visit their website
If they have a website link, open it. Is it modern? Does it work on mobile? Is there a clear call to action?
🔍 Step 5 – Search Google for the business name
Type the business name into Google. Look for reviews, news, or other listings. What does the search result say about them?
🟢 What To Look For – Green Flags
- 📅 Old Facebook posts – They haven't posted in months. They need help staying active.
- 🖼️ Poor quality images – Blurry or low‑resolution photos. They could use professional visuals.
- 🌐 No website – They rely only on Facebook. That's a huge opportunity.
- 💥 Broken website – Links that don't work or a site that looks outdated.
- ⭐ Few reviews – Less than 10 reviews on Facebook or Google.
- 📰 No press coverage – They haven't been mentioned in any local news or blogs.
- 📢 No recent business news – No updates about new products, services, or events.
- 📞 No clear call to action – Visitors can't easily find how to book or buy.
🌟 Positive Things To Mention
Always find something positive to say. It shows you've paid attention and builds trust.
- ❤️ Community involvement – They sponsor local events or charities.
- 👥 Friendly staff – Photos show a warm, approachable team.
- ⭐ Great reviews – Customers love them. Highlight that.
- 🎨 Professional logo – They have a clean, recognizable brand.
- 🏪 Nice storefront – Their physical location looks inviting.
- 📖 Helpful information – They share useful tips or advice on their page.
📝 Opportunity Notes Worksheet
| Business Name | Website | Facebook URL | One Compliment | One Opportunity | Possible EMWNews Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
🚫 Never Do These Things
- ✖ Do not criticize – Never say their page is terrible or their website is ugly.
- ✖ Do not insult – Avoid negative language about their business.
- ✖ Do not tell them their marketing is terrible – They'll get defensive and ignore you.
- ✖ Never copy and paste without personalizing – Generic messages look like spam.
- ✖ Never pretend to know things you don't – Be honest and humble.
✅ Research Checklist
- 📱 Visited Facebook page
- 📄 Read the About section
- 📰 Looked at last five posts
- 🌐 Visited their website
- 🔍 Searched Google for the business name
- 🟢 Identified at least one green flag
- 🌟 Found one positive thing to mention
- 📝 Completed the Opportunity Notes worksheet
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much time should I spend on research?
Five minutes per business is enough. The goal is to be prepared, not to write a full report.
What if the business doesn't have a website?
That's a green flag! It means they need help getting online. Note it as an opportunity.
What if I can't find anything positive?
Look harder. There's always something — a nice photo, a good review, or a community event they support.
Do I need to research every business I message?
Yes. It takes only a few minutes and dramatically improves your response rate.
What if the business has a great website and active page?
That's fine. Look for other opportunities — maybe they need help with reviews or press coverage.
Should I take screenshots?
You can, but it's not necessary. Just write down your observations in the worksheet.
What's the most important thing to look for?
A clear need — something they're missing that EMWNews can help with.
Can I research a business that's outside my city?
Yes. You can reach out to any local business, even if it's in a different town.
What if I don't understand their industry?
You don't need to be an expert. Focus on their online presence — that's where you can help.
How many businesses should I research?
Start with five. That gives you a good list to begin outreach with confidence.
📋 Field Assignment
Your task:
- 1. Research five businesses using the Five‑Minute System.
- 2. Complete the Opportunity Notes worksheet for each.
- 3. Choose your best prospect – the one with the clearest opportunity.
- 4. You're now ready for Quick Win #3 – Send Your First Facebook Message.