Get Clear On Your Tribe
“Get closer than ever to your customers. So close, in fact, that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves.” - Steve Jobs
I love my clients and I love creating things for them, be it in my boutique or in my course. And the only way I can do it with so much confidence and enthusiasm is because I know who my target audience is, I know what they want, when they want it and how I can deliver it to them.
Wasting all your time and energy and not attracting the right customer can be frustrating not only for you but also for the customers you are desperately trying to reach. Imagine someone sending you messages or emails about a camera they selling only to find out they have no idea about it’s specifications or getting discount coupons for baby clothing when you don’t have grow up kids!
Wouldn’t it be frustrating/ disappointing?
You don’t want to be that someone who sends out emails and newsletters or spends money on Ads when it’s not even reaching the right people. Instead be smart and know your audience.
Identifying your ideal customer gives you the opportunity to direct your actions, time and energy to where it’s required and not waste time in attracting the wrong people. You don’t want to sell your Organic Dog Food to customers who don’t own a dog. Right?!!
Who is your product for?
Who is going to be your ideal customer aka your BFF client?
I’m sure you’ve heard of the phrase - “If you market to everyone, you market to no-one”. It’s true for your business as well. Knowing your ideal client will help you determine where they hang out on social media so you can hang out with them; know what time they check their emails so you can pop in at the right time.
It’s important to have know your customer / tribe because it will help you:
Get a deeper understanding of who they are, so you can create effective branding, marketing and sales strategies to reach them
It will help you stand out from your competitors and speak directly to your clients
When you know the tone, likes, dislikes of your clients, you can create and expand your store with products of their choice as you’ll know what they need even before them.
In most scenarios, your ideal clients are similar to you. If you a dog lover, wanting to sell pet products, your ideal client will not only be a dog lover like you, they’d enjoy the same things you do with your dog which means that you can relate to them, anticipate their expectations and exceed them by giving more.
Here are some tips to help you find your ideal customer:
1. Define your product from the point of view of your customer. How’s the product going to help your customer? What problems is it going to solve? What needs does it satisfy? How does it impact the everyday life of your customer?
2. Define the ideal customer for what you sell. What is their occupation or business? What are their likes and dislikes?
3. Determine the benefits your customer is seeking. Of all the benefits your product offers, which one is the most beneficial to your customer? Why should they buy from you and not your competition? How is your product different from those around them?
4. Where is your customer located? Do they live in urban area or far away from the city?
5. What is your customer’s buying strategy? Do you shop on mobile or through desktop? Have they purchased a similar product in the past? How will they find your boutique? Are they often on social media or do they Google before shopping?
Imagine running an advertisement to reach your ideal customer. What age group would you target? Will it be on Facebook or Google? What do they love? Are they Victoria Secret fan or a workout enthusiast? Do they love dogs or do they love cats?
Your ability to determine your target audience is going to improve your chances of getting your product in front of them and serve them better. Instead of trying to reach every individual who owns a dog to sell your organic dog food, you want to narrow down to people who are environment lovers and don’t mind paying extra bucks to buy organic food.
You’d know where to place your product to get maximum exposure and sales.
Now that you know the importance of identifying your customer, check out the worksheet below & let’s understand your tribe better. While doing the assignment, think of that 1 individual who is your ideal customer not a group.