Do you know who your target market is? How do you define them? Where do you even begin? One of the hardest things to do as a business owner is to define your target market. Who will be interested in the products or services you provide? Who needs your products or services? Unless your target market is clearly defined, your advertising and marketing efforts may suffer. But fear not, while defining a target market may seem like the most difficult thing in the world to do, it’s no. Though it is one of the most important.
The first step is to define or get to know your demographic audience. Today’s marketers have four categories that comprise the majority of consumers out there. They are:
– Silent Generation – 1928-1945
– Baby Boomers – 1946-1964
– Generation X – 1965-1981; also known as Echo Boomers
– Generation Y – 1982 – 1998; also known as Millennials
And while knowing the age of your target market is extremely important when trying to connect with them, it’s only the first step. Certain age groups communicate differently and respond to advertising methods differently as well, both of which will be explained in a later blog.
In defining your customer, learn everything you can about them. What are their needs? Their hopes? Their dreams? For it’s not about what you have to sell; it’s about what their needs are and how you can fill them. Learn who your customers are and then speak their language. Don’t rely upon name recognition alone, as it isn’t enough in today’s over-saturated marketplace. Communicate with buyers often. Provide value and information to your audience and you’ll find a more loyal and attentive audience in return.
Today’s businesses need to know their target market by first identifying the demographic audience at hand, what their customers’ needs are, and the particular communication methods they respond to, in order to effectively advertise. Do this and you’ll make the most of your advertising and marketing programs.