How To Identify The Ideal Customer For Your Small Business
Small business owners dream of having an expansive customer base. The reality, however, is that not everyone would like your product or service. Because people have different preferences, wants, and needs, not everybody will appreciate what you have to offer. No matter what you do, it may simply not be for everyone. Thus, it is wise to identify your “ideal customer” so you can build your business appropriately and formulate the best marketing strategy for your offerings.
What is an ideal customer?
An ideal customer represents the people for whom your product or service is. These are the people who would benefit most from your offerings. Thus, they are the ones that your marketing efforts should target.
How do you identify your ideal customer?
Identifying and understanding your ideal customer allows you to formulate more effective marketing strategies, saving you time, money, and stress. Examining your current customer can provide valuable information to help you identify and understand your ideal client. Gather the demographics and psychographics of your customers so you can create a customer persona/s.
Demographic information, such as:
- Age
- Gender
- Civil Status
- Number of children, if any
- Income
- Occupation
- Location
- Race
Psychographic information, such as:
- Likes
- Dislikes
- Personality
- Interests
- Beliefs
- Lifestyle
- Hobbies
Conduct market research using a survey or interview to gather this information. Collate and analyze the data to create the persona of the customers who are most likely to subscribe to your products or services.
How do you find your ideal customer?
Understand what your customer wants and needs
The reality is there is no one-size-fits-all approach to marketing. Your customers have different needs and wants, so what works for one person may not work for the other. That is why it’s vital that you identify the personas of your ideal customer. Use gathered information to understand which services or products would appeal to your target market and formulate the best marketing strategy to get and keep their business.
Identify how they make their purchasing decisions
The way people buy varies greatly. Some buy on a whim, while others carefully research and compare options. Understanding your ideal customer’s purchasing habits is crucial in providing them with the necessary resources to make informed purchases. Catching their attention is not enough. Driving them to make repeated purchases and becoming your loyal patron is the goal.
When developing your small business’s marketing and sales tactics, consider your consumer persona(s), their needs and goals, and how they approach the purchasing process. Find your ideal customers by:
✓ Advertising where they will surely see you (online, newspaper, TV, radio, etc.)
✓ Creating marketing messages in the tone and using words that would appeal to them
✓ Using messages that highlight how your offer is the answer to their pain points
✓ Being found in their preferred sales channels
✓ Getting referrals from your loyal customers
✓ Target your ideal customers on social media
Final Thoughts
Defining who your ideal customer is instrumental in the success of your small business. Pinpointing your perfect customers aids in sifting through those who aren’t a good fit, the ones that take more time and money to sell to, with less payoff.
Concentrating on your ideal clients and communicating with them effectively leads to business growth and more success without the added strain, making you more profitable. Discover the best way to communicate with your ideal customers to achieve even greater growth for your small business.
