<p>When we're new to marketing, most of us believe that the whole world is our target market. We don't want to take a chance on "losing" any business, so we craft marketing messages so broadly that they include everyone. Often, this leads to <strong>marketing materials with no specific appeal to anyone. </strong><br /><br />When your target market reads your materials, they don't get the feeling that you understand their problems and can provide solutions. They don't even feel like your messaging particularly addresses them at all. <strong>It's a mistake not to take the time to clarify and minutely identify your target market</strong>. <br /><br /><strong>Typically</strong>, when you approach the idea of identifying your target market, <strong>you're given a number of intangible ideas such as demographics, psychographics, industry, position, needs, situation, values, and "personality profile".</strong> Unless you have extensive marketing experience already, creating a useful profile of your target market from these concepts is impossible. Here are a <strong>few ideas </strong> to help you <strong>identify your target market</strong> in a <strong>"real world" meaningful way</strong>.</p> <p><br />1.) One easy way to start is to <strong>examine the characteristics of your current client</strong>s. How would you describe them? What is the age range? Do they tend to be one gender or both genders? What are their issues and problems? What do they want you to provide? What solutions do you help them with? Are there personality traits in common? How did they come to be your clients? What do they do for a living, or what is there business? What common themes can you uncover? What geographic area do they live in?<br /><br />2.) Of the characteristics of your current clients, <strong>what would you prefer to add or subtract?</strong> Perhaps you want larger sales or different personality traits. Maybe you want to target a different age range or different geographic territory. There can be a huge disconnect between your knowing "I want to target a market for higher per unit sales." and understanding, "This is who they are and where they are."<br /><br />3.) What is the <strong>psychology of your target market?</strong> Are they confident? Are they timid? Are then uncertain and confused? Do they know what they want and absolutely insist on having things a certain way? Do they believe they know everything and no one can teach them anything? Are they looking for someone to give them the answers and tell them what to do? Do they need information presented in a certain way--logically, visually? Are they action oriented or more likely to be passive? Do they need emotional support or are they fiercely independent?<br /><br />4.) When examining past or present clients, are there any <strong>traits you're clear that you want to avoid in future clients?</strong> Perhaps you want to eliminate a client type who takes too much of your time for little financial return. Maybe some have personalities that are downright disagreeable. They might be slow to pay. They may consume a lot of your time with no appreciation or gratitude for the extras you provide. These types are costing you in many ways--money, enjoyment, and peace of mind.<br /><br />5.) Do you have <strong>any personal shortcomings </strong>that cause you to spend inordinate amounts of time on those who will never buy from you? Do you "feel sorry" for people and let them waste your time? Do you keep on selling when it's obvious that some are only looking for "freebies"? Do you feel attracted to those who cannot and will not afford your services? Do you have a need to help others--even if they don't want it? Often these sorts of personal issues <strong>cause us to focus our efforts on those who don't fit our intended target market.<br /></strong><br />6.) When you're f<strong>ace to face with your target market, do you feel a strong sense of recognition?</strong> Imagine that you are sifting and sorting stones. You recognize the diamond when it is on top of the pile. Pay attention to your identified target market. Don't be distracted by others and fail to nurture the connection and relationship. <strong>If it were a diamond you had discovered, would you be distracted by a nugget of granite?</strong> No, that would be ridiculous. However, often we do let the shining prize of our target market slip away without recognition, acknowledgement or engagement. We come home from a networking event with a stack of cards, and believe that everyone in that stack is equally likely to buy from us.<br /><br />7.) After considering all these factors, <strong>go back to your profile of your target market. Refine and tweak it. </strong>What other criteria can you add? Can you identify social activities your target market enjoys? What do they want to accomplish in life and in their business? What do they do to accomplish these things? What is their success orientation? What sabotages them? <br /><br />Who do they associate with? How determined are they? Do they follow through? Are they open to learning? Do they live a chaotic and disorganized life? Do they think strategically? Do they easily understand and grasp the implications of new technologies. Do they get stuck and bogged down easily? Are their minds agile and sharp? Are they savvy at business or are they a "newbie"? How do they need your expertise? Do you know where to find them? <br /><br />Clearly identifying your target market is one of the most important aspects of your marketing efforts. Realize that it is an evolving concept, and changes along with the deepening of your marketing experience. <strong>Spend the time up front to identify WHO you are marketing to and you will get the best results from your marketing efforts.</strong></p> 2009-02-19T23:55:35Z 2009-02-25T03:46:31Z -10.3761 598 3236 true 15 21384 your-target-market-who-exactly-are-they-know-when-you-are-face-to-face 7 2009-02-25T03:43:22Z 2009-02-25T03:43:22Z

Typically, identifying your target market, consists of intangible ideas such as demographics, psychographics, industry, position, needs, situation, values, and "personality profile". Here are a few ideas to help you identify your target market in a "real world" meaningful way.

0 2009-02-25T16:31:48Z