Finding your target audience can feel like trying to talk to your cat about quantum mechanics. You’re excited and ready to share your big ideas, but all you’re getting is blank stares (or, in your cat’s case, a disinterested meow). Here’s the good news: reaching the right people doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s more about strategy and less about throwing everything at the wall and hoping it sticks, as you will see below…
- Narrow Down Your Audience Persona
Picture your ideal customer. Is it the soccer mom who runs marathons on weekends? Or the tech junkie who can quote every episode of “Doctor Who” in their sleep? The more specific, the better. A targeted message resonates louder, because people want to feel like you’re speaking directly to them. Keep in mind you’re not excluding everyone else; you’re just making sure your prime prospects tune in. Let them know you understand their challenges and can offer the solutions they’ve been desperately Googling at 3 a.m.
- Hang Out Where They Hang Out (Virtually)
Your target audience is already somewhere—be it Instagram, Reddit, or an obscure Facebook group dedicated to gourmet peanut butter recipes. Go there. Lurk (in a polite, non-creepy way). Watch the conversations. Answer questions. Show you’re a real human with real insights. Eventually, people will trust your expertise and maybe even your brand. And yes, this beats sending 10,000 spam emails that get eaten alive by spam filters.
- Slide into Their DMs with Value
If you think direct messaging is just for thirst traps and “u up?” texts, think again. A well-timed, respectful direct message can open doors when done right. Offer a piece of advice or a quick tip they can use, or share a helpful resource you discovered. Rule of thumb: lead with value, not with “BUY MY THING!” Otherwise, you’ll end up on someone’s block list faster than your sister’s ex-boyfriend.
- Keep Content Consistent
When people see a random tweet here, a neglected blog post there, and a dusty YouTube channel from 2019, they assume your side hustle business is either closed or you’re too busy binge-watching shows to bother. Consistent content doesn’t have to mean a daily novel-length post. It could be a weekly video or a short blog update every other Thursday. The key is to pick a schedule you can realistically maintain—your credibility depends on it.
- Do a Tiny Bit of SEO Magic
Here’s a secret: you don’t need a fancy marketing degree to make search engines fall in love with you. If you don’t know where to start, you can research keywords with this tool that helps you discover what your audience actually types into Google at 2 a.m. Then sprinkle those words in your content. Over time, search engines—and the people using them—will find you more easily. Just don’t go overboard by stuffing the words in every sentence like an overzealous parrot.
- Ask for Feedback (and Actually Listen)
Your audience has opinions—lots of them. Surveys and polls can give you a goldmine of insight into what your followers crave, fear, and need. But don’t ask if you’re not prepared for the truth. Take the feedback to heart, even if it’s not the glowing praise you hoped for. Use it to refine your message, products, or services so you become a magnet for your target crowd.
Now, you’ll find your people—and they’ll be thrilled you finally showed up.
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