Know-How Exchange : Research/Metrics

Let's start by saying that I'm a marketing person, not a lawyer, so this isn't legal advice. OK, with that disclaimer, here are some things to think about.

If you're on private property, you need permission. Even if you don't get caught, it's the right thing to do. It also legitimizes what you're doing and helps attendees feel better about talking to you. The sidewalk may or may not be private property. It depends. It's safer to check.

What about public property? It depends. Some places do have ordinances about nuisances and non-solitication, and people could consider you to be a nuisance if you just start accosting people. You may need a permit. Again, this protects the public by keeping weirdos from pretending to be researchers.

Another low-budget way to approach this is to either partner with a retail establishment that is already serving your audience and ask permission to talk to their customers in exchange for sharing your data and including some of their questions in your survey. You can make a similar offer to a membership organization. Once they give their permission, you have their "seal of approval" which can also make it easier to get people to talk with you.

You could also create a contest through media that reaches your target audience that requires answering a survey to enter. The more targeted the media, the more applicable your answers. This approach probably won't be free, but you might work out a trade and media usually has pretty good demographic info to assure that you're reaching the group you want.

Do you have any personal ties to the Russian expat community in the Bay area? Personal networking is the best way to connect with the people who can deliver your audience. Start by asking the people you know, and if they can't help, ask if they know someone who can help or know someone who knows someone.

And remember: Never misrepresent yourself or the purpose of your research.