Learn how to speak directly to your ideal customer
Have you ever read a blog post, listened to a podcast, watched an inspiring YouTube video or received an email from a “stranger” and felt like they were talking directly to you? It’s because these marketers have identified unique qualities in their ideal customer and are sending targeted messages to reach you specifically.
Yes, you.
Don’t believe us? Think about those you are obsessed with following online and the newsletters you didn’t think twice about subscribing to, and we bet they have something in common: These brands and marketers are very clear on three things when it comes to reaching their target audience:
- Contribution: They know exactly what problem they are solving or need they are fulfilling with their product or service.
- Distinction: They standout by offering something innovative, use well-branded images that tells a story or write in a distinct voice that’s uniform across all platforms.
- Target Audience: They have mapped out their target audience so specifically, that they, know exactly who they are trying to reach, where they live, how much money they make and more.
All three areas play off each other equally, but we believe the best way to begin is to identify your target audience, so you can communicate with them authentically. As a small business owner or branding specialist, most likely you already have a handle on what makes your business different or its contribution. But you cannot build your company distinction without first understanding your target audience.
To help you get started, we developed a worksheet to help you answer those important questions about your ideal customer so you can reach them more effectively. Download your Identifying Your Target Audience Worksheet and then follow along.
Worksheet Tip: Don’t. Give. Up. Complete each section, even if it feels like a drag. You will be so thankful later when you are developing loads of amazing content that truly resonates with your readers.
Ready?
Where to Start:
- Identify your business’s contribution by thinking about what product or service you provide and what problem it solves.
- List out all of the different ways your products or services can help solve user’s problems.
- Make a broad list of people who might benefit from your services.
Get the Ball Rolling:
- Now, take your generic audience list and ask yourself what you need to know to get in touch with them. Think about where they hang out, what social media aps they use and other unique characteristics that can help you strategize the platforms to use to reach them when you are ready.
- Get specific about what problems you can solve for them, from the broadest to the most minute.
Why will they value your brand:
- Start jotting down the demographic details of your target customer. Seriously, make it one person, give him or her a hair color, a home, a job, an income and a home.
- Now dive into that person’s mind. List their interests, favorite websites, beliefs, slang they might use in their vocabulary and their education level.
- Start interviewing people who fit in the ideal audience. Create your own surveys for social media and conduct interviews with a few people you would like to serve to learn more about their needs, fears and wants.
- Identify key attributes of your target audience and write specifically to them in all content marketing efforts.
In the world of content marketing and building an online brand, getting detailed about your target audience is a pro’s tip for becoming more authentic, growing your following, gaining trust, and inevitably, making more money. Download our FREE worksheet Identifying Your Target Audience Worksheet to help guide you and make it a little easier. Now, grab your favorite beverage, print it out and start brainstorming about who you want to reach.