Ever felt a pull to help a certain group of people? Maybe it’s folks who remind you of your past self or those who could genuinely benefit from the skills and passions you bring to the table. Defining your target audience isn’t about limiting who you can help — it’s about making sure your message hits home with the people who need you most. The clearer you get, the more magnetic your message becomes.

Understand Who You’re Talking To

Ask yourself: Who do I feel most drawn to help? Start by getting inside their heads. What keeps them awake at 2 AM? What dreams fire them up? What challenges are they desperate to overcome? Knowing these details will form the bedrock of all your messaging.

When you speak directly to your audience’s fears or challenges, dreams, and desires, you create content that feels personal, like a heartfelt conversation between friends. Remember, as marketing guru Seth Godin says, “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories, and magic.”

• Identify Core Demographics: Consider details like age, gender, location, job, and income level. The more specific, the better.
• Uncover Deeper Insights: Think beyond surface-level traits. What are their hobbies? What challenges do they face daily? What are their biggest frustrations or fears?
• Craft a Story: Give your ideal client a name, a face, and a backstory. Imagine their day, their struggles, their dreams. Picture them vividly whenever you write content.

Dive Deeper with Market Research

You’ve got a picture of who you want to help — now, it's time to validate those ideas with real-world data. Use tools like SurveyMonkey to create surveys or engage directly with potential clients on social media. Get curious. Ask questions. Listen intently.

Of course you can also use AI to hlelp with research as well, such as Perplexity https://www.perplexity.ai/

Poor market research is the reason behind 70% of small business failures in Australia. Don’t be a statistic — get to know your audience inside and out.

• Create a Survey: Use online tools to gather insights about your audience's needs, preferences, and pain points.
• Engage on Social Media: Jump into the comments, start conversations, and listen to what people are saying.
• Analyse Competitors: What are others in your space doing well? Where are they falling short? Find gaps that you can fill with your unique offerings.

Build Your Customer Personas – Put a Face to the Data

A customer persona is a detailed profile of your ideal client. It’s not just a list of demographics; it’s a vivid, living document that helps you visualize the person you’re speaking to every time you create content.

When you craft your messaging for “someone,” rather than “anyone,” it feels more genuine and relatable. Imagine telling a story to a friend versus an auditorium full of strangers — your message hits differently, right?

• Detail Demographics: Include age, gender, job, location, and any other relevant factors.
• Highlight Pain Points: What keeps them up at night? What are their daily struggles?
• Map Out Motivations and Desires: What do they dream about achieving? What motivates them to get out of bed in the morning?