Reaching Your Target Market
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Before you write one ad or pay someone else to do so, it is imperative that you not only know who your target market is, but you know them. What do they like, what do they dislike, what do they need, and how can you fulfill those needs? Those are just some of the questions you’ll need to ask before you can sell to them.
Defining Your Target Market
This is one of the first steps an aspiring Internet marketer must take. No matter how great your product is, you must know who it is intended for before you will be able to successfully market it. Once you define your target market, you’ll then be able to develop strategies for reaching them and selling to them. First things first, however.
Suppose you’re selling a product to parents. Are these parents of grown children or 2-year olds? Are they parents of special needs children? Are they parents of children that go to public school, private school, or perhaps they are parents that homeschool their children? Do one or both of these parents work outside the home? How much money do they make? Where do they live?
The questions can truly go on for pages but you do need to ask them and you do need to answer them in order to effectively define your target market. You can’t hope to reach your target market until it is clearly defined. Knowing your target market will help you to tailor your offers to meet their needs. If your target market doesn’t make much money, they may be looking for ways to save a buck any way they can. On the other hand, if your target market is so busy they can’t see straight, convenience is going to win them over.
Go Where Your Target Market Is
Now that you know who your target market is, it is time to reach them. How do you go about this? The simple answer is to go where they are. For instance, if you are marketing to parents, go to websites where parents hang out. Post in forums where other parents post and establish yourself as an expert in your niche. Before long, other parents will be turning to you for answers.
If you haven’t started a blog yet, it’s not too late. Also, read other blogs in your niche and comment when appropriate. Of course, wherever it is allowed, be sure to include a link back to your website at the end of your forum posts and blog comments.
If you’re marketing to parents, make sure your website is optimized for what parents are going to be searching for. Then, offer something for free in exchange for a name and email address. This will let you connect with these parents on a regular basis and you can develop an email marketing campaign as well.
To summarize, know who your customers are, or potential customers, and know where they hang out. Then make them an offer they can’t refuse!
Cheers,
Carlo Selorio
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