Do you know who your target market is?
Understand there are components needed as you build your online presence. Today anyone can put up a blog within minutes. Really within minutes.
What makes the difference if that blog is going to be successful is dependent on your mindset.
When you kick off your blog. You need to know are you starting the blog as a hobby or for business.
I visit a lot of blogs and I still believe the owners of the blogs haven’t made that transition from hobby mindset to business blog mindset.
Let me start where it begins first…It starts with YOU!
You should know who you are and most importantly what is it that you are trying to achieve.
If you are going to make that shift to own a business blog. You really need to know who your readers are going to be. What is it that they are looking for? What is it that they are going to get after reading your blog?
I want you to understand when I started this blog. I was struggling identifying my target market. I did an intensive research to identify you. I spent the time and money the hard way. That is why today, I receive more traffic than 5-6 months ago.
Knowing your target market allows you to speak to them and offer them the right tools so they can grow to the next level.
Here are some questions that I’m going to throw at you to help you identify your target market:
- Describe your audience/readers?
- Are your audience mostly male or females?
- What is the age group?
- How educated are they?
- Why would they want to read your blog?
- What other sites do they visit?
- What problems are they having?
- How is your blog going to help them with their problems?
If you are able to answer all of these questions then you are one step ahead than most bloggers. All this means that you are able to provide content and focus your marketing efforts in a very powerful way.
If your current readers are not what you want to target. Then it is time for you to hit the board again and take a look at what is missing or needing some shifting. If you are serious about your business blog then I recommended that you spend some time and money in resources. It will come back in a rewarding way.
A great resource that I recently purchase was The Copywriting Scorecard for Bloggers. In this book, it starts off by asking you a series of questions so you can focus on identifying your target market and target keywords.
Most individuals will say, I already know this information…That is fine!
If you are like me and you know that you always have room inside of you to grow. I’ll say go for it and purchase the book. If you already know this stuff. Then I’ll see you at the top!
My friends, take this weekend to really identify who are you targeting.
Have a wonderful weekend! 
To Your Success,
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I know identifying a target market is not a bloggers favorite. But it must be done!
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P.S. Are you ready to take that leap of faith to go to the next level? I’ll ask it again…Are you ready to succeed? Do you know that you were made for more. What you have been reading on all of my post, I have been applying to my life and business. Guess what… I’m getting great results. I’ll be more than happy to share this with you, but I’ll warned you first you must be ready to receive. If you are not ready to receive, it will not work. You hold the key to your success in your business.
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Josh, great post bro
Those are some killer questions, especially identifying what their problems are.. this is what’s gonna help you know how you can HELP them and become an aexpert in their eyes..
thanks for the info – this will help a lot of people
talk soon
Hector
.-= Hector Cuevas´s last blog ..“Live” Case Study- This Changed My Mind About PopUps Forever… =-.
Hi Hector,
Knowing what is the problem of your target audience will help you become an expert in your field.
Hey Josh,
Perfect questions to ask. You’re right, we’ve GOT to know who we’re talking to or it’s a hobby.
It felt like it took forever for me to figure that one out, like I was just shooting in the dark for a long time.
Interesting you brought up that book. I was just looking at it the other day and wondering about making that purchase myself…
Thanks for the recommendation. That means a lot coming from you.
Susanna
.-= Susanna Hess´s last blog ..8 Seriously Funny Success Tips For Online Marketers =-.
Hi Susanna,
I feel too many individuals don’t know who their target audience is. Therefore, they write as it is a hobby. I know I made this mistake in the beginning.
What a great way to start FRIDAY off and really make you think. This is all relevant information that must be addressed. I need to do some thinking this weekend. I was going to have a relaxing weekend, not anymore! Thanks Josh.
.-= Dr. Chris Patten´s last blog ..Can’t loose weight It might not be your fault! =-.
Hi Doc,
How is your project going this weekend?
Hey Josh, I haven’t read ‘Scoreboard for bloggers’ but I’m a big fan of Darren Rowse. I bought his Problogger book last year and got a ton of good information from it.
You’ve pointed out some great questions we should be asking ourselves, but the real idea is to ‘focus’. Getting an intimate grasp on what someone coming to your blog has on their mind can make a huge difference in how successful you are online. Thanks
.-= Liz @ internet home business ideas´s last blog ..Free Pass to Online Copywriting Summit =-.
Hi Liz,
Most individuals don’t take the time to study their target audience. Therefore, makes it difficult to speak to them.
Good insight from you Josh. That is very important that we should identify our target market so that we don’t end up selling beef to the vegetarian. A little research doesn’ t hurt either infact it pays a lot. This is how we figure out what are we selling and who would need us by asking the questions ourselves. Have a great weekend!
Hi Yadvinder,
It has been a while I have seen you around here. Welcome back! Great analogy…
Focusing on a target market is the difference between effective blogging and recreational blogging. Once you can hit a niche, you are set.
Thanks for sharing the helpful list of questions Josh.
Ryan Biddulph
.-= Ryan Biddulph´s last blog ..Do These 4 Things to Become Broke with Your Home Based Business =-.
Hi Ryan,
I know it was a challenge in the beginning for me to identify my audience. Once you do…It becomes easier to speak to you.
Awww Josh, no one wants homework on a Friday..lol. But really these are some great questions and I don;t think I’ve ever asked them of myself. I always have an audience in mind when I’m writing. My thought are always what can I teach today, what are they struggling with that I have the answer to based off my own experiences, but these questions will definitely help me hone in a little tighter.
.-= Fontella Williams´s last blog ..How To Handle Frustration In Your Network Marketing Business =-.
Hi Fontella,
So, how is your homework going?
hi Josh
yes I agree that without a laser focus you will waste a lot of effort. I know I did not have a clear idea when I started my blog. I believe I have a clear idea now – for now. But as you say, things change and so must we.
thanks for another sharp reminder – keep them coming
all the best
Charlie Holles
.-= Charlie Holles´s last blog ..Your Values – time to reconsider =-.
Hi Charlie,
That is great to hear that you have a much clearer idea on what you are focusing on. That will lead you where you want to go.
Hi Josh,
I want to be honest, this is one of the best posts I have ever read…
Very important stuff, the sooner you detect your target market the sooner you will get traffic and sign ups.
Chat soon.
.-= Ramiro Trevino´s last blog ..4 Different Home Business Ideas Using The Internet =-.
Hi Ramiro,
Thanks a lot, buddy!
I think the most important thing is to identify your audience, because if you don’t you will waste effort for nothing…
.-= Julian @ CornerParadise´s last blog ..NICHE WRITING- 50 SPECIALIZED TOPICS TO WRITE ABOUT =-.
Hi Julian,
I don’t think anyone wants to waste their time and effort. That is why knowing your audience is vital.
This is a great post! You really do need to know the needs of your target audience in order to keep them coming back for more. Once they know that you are offer real value they will come back to see what you have to offer!
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..My First Free E-book- Blogging Basics =-.
Hi Stacy,
That is so true!
Hi Josh,
Love the ProBlogger resource by the way!
Knowing who your audience is, is foundational to what you create on your blog. I agree. I use a few ways to determine this information but am keen to hear how you do this in case I have missed a few. Maybe a follow up post?? He I won’t even charge you for the idea!! Ha ha:)
~Marcus
Hi Marcus,
Thanks my friend, for the idea…I think I might do a paid webinar for it.
Hey Josh,
These are great questions to ask when thinking about your target market. They remind of the questions that I read in “The Ultimate Sales letter”. Thanks for another great post:)
J, The Cartoon Coach
Learn how to make money fast online.
Hi Coach,
That is a great book to read. I need to go back and read it again.
If you are struggling to identify your target market, another possible way is also to analyse the markets your direct competitors are targeting.
Hi Andreas,
That is one strategy to identify your target market.
Hey Josh some great questions- unless you’re Blogging as an alternative to talking to yourself lol then its probably a good idea to visualize and interact with an audience – some focus and a strategy makes a lot of sense
Thanks for sharing
Cheers Kiaran
.-= kiaran´s last blog ..Its Time to Get a Little Emotional! =-.
Hi Kiaran,
Some folks want to make that transition from hobby blogging to running a business blog. It starts with a mindset.
Hey Josh,
Words of wisdom for business in general across the world, identifying that market can save sleepless nights for an owner in both traditional or internet based business.
I found it easier to put a line down the middle of a piece of paper and write down on the left all the people I didn’t want, then the opposite (right hand side) gave me a list to then focus on.
.-= Gayle Buchanan´s last blog ..24Hr Traffic =-.
Hi Gayle,
What a nice way to start!
Josh
You are totally on target in my book my friend. What I have committed to before I start any kind of project now is a dose of personal development this keeps my thoughts focused and helps me to connect what I am doing with my why which is where I find my target audience. Great post.
The shift is on,
Steve Shoemaker
.-= Steve Shoemaker´s last blog ..MLM Tips For An Attractive Face On Facebook =-.
Hi Steve,
Once you identify your audience. It is a lot easier to speak to them.
Hi Josh,
Great post! Many bloggers miss this important step: identifying your target market. These are great questions to ask yourself to identify the niche market that you want to serve.
Thanks for sharing your insights and the ProBlogger resource.
All the best,
Mavis Nong
.-= Mavis Nong´s last blog ..Blogging Tips – How To Increase Your Blog Rankings =-.
Hi Mavis,
You are correct most people miss this step and simply skip it.
Hi Josh,
by identifying one’s target audience and the ideal reader, one creates a goal to work on and is able to create an action plan. Answering your questions is very helpful to find that target audience.
Thanks for sharing.
Take care
Oliver
.-= Oliver Tausend´s last blog ..Lessons From Robert Kiyosaki’s “Cashflow Quadrant” For MLM Network Marketing Pt 3 =-.
Hi Oliver,
The goal should be to answer questions that you audience have. When you do…Now you are connecting with them.
Nobody looks for advertising. But relevant information get’s our attention. So a relevant question is: “How can I be the source of that relevant information?”
Helps to focus.
Markus Trauernicht
Hi Markus,
When you understand your audience and what they are having an issue with. Then it becomes easier to provide relevant information.
Hey Josh,
Yes, this is so key. I think identifying it and of course continuing to refine it as you go along is so important to staying on topic and measuring results. How can you write well unless you know who you are writing for?
Good stuff. Thanks!
tia
.-= Tia´s last blog ..Why I’m Not Impressed with Your Traffic Numbers- Bubba! =-.
Hi Tia,
Thanks for including one of my post in your cool looking blog. That was awesome! That is an issue most individuals starting out have. They don’t really know who they are writing for.
Excellent post Josh
Many struggle with who their target market is. They try to appeal to everyone.
I have said this many times, but your best target market stares back at you everyday when looking in the mirror.
Peter
.-= Peter Fuller MBA´s last blog ..Just Smile =-.
Hi Peter,
I like that!
Great post Josh. You’ve been telling me how important it is to know your target market but this post really puts it in perspective. I think I’m going to have to start doing some research. Thanks Josh. Keep up the good work!
.-= Phil Aguilar´s last blog ..How Can 13 yr old Jordan Romero Help You Conquer Your Mt Everest =-.
Hi Phil,
Doing some research will give you such a jump start. Most individuals simply follow the crowd and therefore don’t know who is their target market.