Marketing Yourself and Your Research
Communicating Value: From Research to Real-World Solutions
In today’s innovation-driven landscape, successful collaboration between academia and industry depends not only on groundbreaking research but also on the ability to communicate its relevance and potential impact. Whether you’re new to industry engagement or looking to refine your approach, this guide offers practical strategies for crafting compelling research pitches that align with corporate goals and demonstrate real-world applicability. By highlighting your expertise, understanding the priorities and challenges of prospective partners, and articulating a clear value proposition, you can open doors to meaningful, mutually beneficial collaborations.
1.) Highlight Your Expertise Strategically
Tips:
- Develop a concise, compelling personal narrative that emphasizes your research strengths and unique capabilities.
- Maintain an up-to-date professional profile (e.g., MSU faculty page, LinkedIn, ORCID) that clearly communicates your areas of expertise.
- Use plain language to describe your research—avoid jargon when speaking to non-academic audiences.
Tools:
- MSU Scholars database
- Google Scholar profiles
- ResearchGate or LinkedIn for visibility
2.) Understand Industry Needs and Goals
Tips:
- Research the company’s mission, current challenges, and innovation priorities.
- Identify where your research aligns with their business objectives or product development pipeline.
- Attend industry conferences or networking events to gain insights into current trends and needs.
Strategies:
- Conduct informational interviews with industry professionals.
- Review recent press releases, investor reports, or product announcements from the company.
3.) Craft a Clear Value Proposition
Tips:
- Frame your research in terms of the problem it solves or the value it creates for the company.
- Highlight potential applications, scalability, and impact.
- Be specific—quantify benefits when possible (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, risk reduction).
Template:
“My research on [topic] can help [company/industry] achieve [specific goal] by [method/solution], resulting in [measurable benefit].”
4.) Develop a Compelling Research Pitch
Tips:
- Keep it short—aim for a 3–5 minute pitch that sparks interest.
- Focus on outcomes, not just methods.
- Use visuals or analogies to make complex ideas accessible.
Structure:
- Problem – What challenge are you addressing?
- Solution – What is your research offering?
- Impact – Why does it matter to the company?
- Call to Action – What are you proposing (e.g., a meeting, collaboration, pilot project)?
5. Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions
Tips:
- Approach industry engagement as a long-term relationship, not a one-time pitch.
- Be open to feedback and willing to adapt your research focus to align with mutual goals.
- Follow up consistently and professionally.
Strategies:
- Collaborate on small projects or exploratory studies to build trust.
- Invite industry partners to campus events, talks, or lab tours.
6. Leverage MSU Resources
Support Services:
- MSU Business Connect – Facilitates partnerships between faculty and industry.
- MSU Innovation Center – Offers support for commercialization, IP, and licensing.
- Office of Research and Innovation – Provides guidance on applied research and funding opportunities.
Ready to Explore a Partnership?
The MSU Innovation Center serves as a bridge between faculty and industry, helping researchers turn ideas into impact. From identifying potential partners and navigating contracts to protecting intellectual property and securing funding, the Innovation Center provides personalized support at every stage of collaboration. Whether you’re new to industry engagement or managing an ongoing partnership, our team is here to help you connect, communicate, and succeed. Are you ready to have a conversation about corporate partnership opportunities? Click Below!