WRITTEN BY LOUISE SANSOM
Whether you’re an innovative start-up, a one-man band, or an established household name, the goals of marketing are the same: reaching and connecting with the people who want to know about your product. Successful marketing is key to a thriving business, but it’s not just about sales; it’s about building an engaged customer community, who will become loyal brand advocates ready to shout about your product.
So, how do you get there? Well, there are multi-faceted, myriad ways – marketing is an art form. But it all starts with understanding your target market and future customers (that’s “target market and buyer persona,” in marketing speak).
To really get to know your ideal customer, you need to find out as much about them as possible. Invite them round for a metaphorical cuppa and ask them questions. When you can build a picture of a real person rather than statistics, you’ll be able to speak their language. When you can speak their language, you can build a genuine connection.
So pop that kettle on – here are some tips to help you get to know your customer base and then reach out to the right people.
Start with market research. Knowledge is power, and having a solid understanding of what’s going on across your industry is the fuel. Dig deep and gather valuable insights about your industry. Crunch the numbers, study competitors, and get hold of industry reports. Consider surveys or focus groups, and pay attention to what it reveals about customer demographics and behaviours. It’s all in the detail.
Identify common characteristics. Cross-reference the information you’ve gathered to spot common threads and characteristics among your target market. What do they have in common? What sets them apart? Age, gender, location, interests—they all contribute to the profile of your target customer. Get to know their values, goals, and challenges. What other brands do they align with?
Bring your buyer to life. Now that you know more about your ideal buyer, you can start to build up a detailed picture of who they are. Based on what you discovered from the research, you can start to develop unique and specific personas that represent different age ranges, locations, and lifestyles of your target customer base. What do they value? What are their lifestyle goals? The more you know about them, the better you can communicate with them. Once you know this, you can start to speak to them and communicate with them. It helps to get to know and identify their favourite platforms and channels as well.
Speak their language. Now you know who you’re talking to, it’s time to speak their language. Refine your messaging and tailor it to their priorities, craft your content in a way that resonates, and then deliver it on the platforms where they spend the most time. Talk the talk in a way that they’ll care about and it won’t be long before you start to see your new customers connect and engage with your brand.
Evolve and adapt. Things change, trends come and go, and what’s niche or specialist today could become a household staple tomorrow, finding a whole new customer base. Stay in tune with market research and continuously review and refine your messaging to make sure your well-crafted marketing strategy is reaching the right people.
Connecting with your target market is the heart of successful marketing. Take the time to understand who they are, speak their language, and adapt as their needs and preferences evolve. By doing so, you’ll build a loyal customer base that not only loves your products but also engages with and promotes your brand.