Sam Richter has written a great book on web research – Take the Cold out of Cold Calling. The sub-title of the book is how I use the book – Web Search Secrets.  While Sam talks about how to go into sales calls better prepared, I use the same techniques to find great information on the web for the “5 Cs” – Category, Consumer, Competition, Channel and Company.    There are great tips on using search like use Google Advanced Search.   He stresses there is 80% of the web not searched by search engines, yet you can still access it.  He’s put up a totally free site to get to these sources: www.warmcallcenter.com.

If you ever get a chance to hear Sam speak, he’s entertaining and so knowledgeable.  I heard him speak at  TCE (Twin Cities Entrepreneurs) gathering last year.  And my searches are getting better and better.  Thanks Sam for your great resource!