What is the best way to identify your target Audience (Fast and Cost-Free)
In the beginning of any online enterprise, it's important to identify your audience. Marketing to the wrong audience (or not promoting your business in a vast, undefined group of people) is like throwing money to the wind.
If you're wondering where to start, read on. This article will put you started quickly and at no cost.
What's the target audience?
Your target audience is the audience most likely to buy the product or service you offer subscription or membership.
Depending on your industry the people you are targeting could be moms of three-year-olds, men in their fifties who like to fish for salmon, those who reside in coastal California and have German shepherds, middle-aged cosmetics lovers or any other in-between.
The more specifically you can identify your audience, the more specific your target audience will be.
What is the reason to identify your target audience
If you aren't sure who is your ideal customer is then you're...
- Most likely, you'll miss major opportunity to convert
- Worse, it's a waste of cash on useless marketing
When you do understand your intended audience, you can be sure that you're getting your promotions in front of those who would be interested in the products you offer.
Understanding your audience is an ongoing process. Whatever your website's content, the trends change according to the changing times. So do your visitors. So you'll want to include research into your audience as an integral part of your marketing strategy.
However, the following are the four most basic components of market research for target markets. You'll refer to these approaches throughout the duration of your business.
The first step is to brainstorm your business...
This sounds like a simple idea isn't it? It is! The first thing you should do to define your target market is literally think about the people who will be using your service.
Relax, take a seat, and open a blank page, and draw a chart of brainstorming like this:
If you ask yourself these simple questions, then record your responses in the second column.
- What does my site do?
- What are the problems it can solve?
Imagine you had the cooking and recipe websites. Your answers might look something like:
Now imagine the people in the world who require what you're providing or who have the kind of issues your company solves. Take an opportunity to think it over. As you think, make notes within your "people" page:
The beginnings of a wonderful target market! The target audience is still wide, however, this will help you get started in the narrowing process. Also, the process of determining your intended of your audience will help narrow it down..
Then, check out your rivals...
It is possible that you don't be aware of who the target market are however, you will be able to identify your competitors.
So first choose a handful of well-known websites within your field. (Sites you're jealous of are good places to begin!)
You can then take a look at these competitors' customers' reviews. Note the type of people writing the reviews. Look for mentions of things that give you clues about age, interests and personal preferences.
Visit these competitors' sites, take a look around then consider whom they are communicating with.
BrokeAssGourmet (pardon our French) is a great model for our imagination of a cooking and recipe site business administrator.
Notice the fun, youthful imagery in this image. Look at the text that is circled. It's obvious that this website is aimed at younger, trendy people who don't have much money.
Dig a bit deeper into the website and you'll discover more clues to help you drill down the potential audience that they're targeting. In this same way examine other sites you've gathered in addition to note down your sheet of brainstorming.
PRO Tip: If you're not sure the names of your competition Do a quick Google search with a popular keyword that is relevant to your company (e.g., cooking and recipe sites). The results you find at the top of the page are a safe choice.
Look up forums, blogs, and social media
If you have even any idea about your field, Google will find plenty of information about your target market there. It's all you have to do is be eager to search. Therefore, go online and get active in your search.
Here are a few quick methods to get started collecting details:
- Search social media profiles
- Participate in Twitter chats
- Join forums for your industry
- Check out popular blogs within your area, and then go through the posts and comments.
While you are looking around, be sure to not forget to note the chart you created for brainstorming.
Last but not least, consider your existing customers
We think this one tends to be overlooked simply because it's so darn simple. The kinds of people who sign up for your service and buying items right now are individuals you'd like to have more. And the best method to find out more about them is to take surveys.
When you're creating your survey include questions that provide you with information about the demographics of your clients including income and education level, as well as family status as well as their preference.
Also, see if you can find out what your clients learned about you and what their favorite social media profiles are.
Conducting a survey is the ideal way to collect information about your customers, however it requires the investment of money and time. When you're working and you're working on it, check the social media profiles of your clients' pages to gain quick facts and insights.
Final Ideas
With your creative sheet, you will be able to find your ideal audience and at no cost. To recap, here's what you need to do...
- Think about your company's future
- Take a look at your rivals
- Review forums, blogs, and use social media
- Check out your current customers
To maximize your success, you'll want to have an ongoing, longer-term connection with your group of customers. It's about keeping track of the things that make them tick over the long haul.
Do you have questions on how to identify your target group? Post them via the comments!
If you like this article, don't forget to join our email list by clicking the button to the right!