Like a business, it is also important for a design to perfectly fit into the target audience. Doing this can give the clients and the companies an assurance that the design can communicate effectively. There would be no clear direction in designing if you do not know to whom you are designing for. When targeting a market for a certain product or service, it is important for it to be specific so that the designers who will be working on their websites, brochures, posters, magazines and others will be effective.
It would certainly be a lot easier to generate business and reach potential clients if the designers are able to know the target audience for a certain project. Hence, we will be giving you some tips on how you can define your target audience. This could be helpful for both clients and designers so that you will know that you are surely getting somewhere with the designs. Here they are:
1. Brainstorm about your target’s description.
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You should not just be happy about thinking once regarding your target. Brainstorm deeply so you can get the right audience. You can do this by thinking of describing words. You can start with a single word and from there create different phrases and sentences.
2. Determine characteristics of prospect audience.
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When designing, try to look into the characteristics of your target audience. If you already have a business and you would like to create a website, brochure, magazine and others, then it would be a lot easier for you to do this. Look for common traits in your present clients and this can help you with the design.
3. Check out your competition.
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You also need to determine your competition’s target audience. Try to look for a different market. Or you can offer something different that could attract their clients to you. Knowing your competition is a good way to define your audience.
4. Analyze benefits you can offer.
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Try to determine the benefits you can offer to the audience. Doing this will make it a lot easier for you to know your target audience. After knowing the benefits you can give, check on who needs to avail of such benefits. Determine the group of people who needs it the most.
5. Verify if the need exists.
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After knowing the benefits your product or service can offer, you have also determined the needs of the people. But you also need to identify if this need truly exists. You might be dwelling on something which actually does not exist in reality. Research well on this using survey and other smart ways in order to verify it.
6. Investigate trends.
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Look into the business trends and the trends of a certain industry as well. People are usually drawn by the trends in whatever aspect and field it is. Try to know the trend of your market. You will be able to find out who are interested on such trend and who are not. This can even help you improve your product, too.
7. Choose specific demographics to target.
When we say demographics, look into the age, location, gender, income, education, marital or family status, occupation and ethnic background. Know who needs your service or product and who is most likely to buy it.
8. Consider the psychographics of your target.
Psychographics is different from demographics for it pertains to more personal characteristics of a person. It includes one’s attitudes, personality, lifestyles, values, interests, and hobbies. By looking into the psychographics, you will be able to know how you can fit into a person’s lifestyle and interest. You will also know what interest them most.
9. Check market size.
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After determining your target audience, you have to check the market size. The number of people who will be your audience should be enough in order for you to reach your own goals. Your design will be useless if only few people will show interest in it and will be attracted into it.
10. Evaluate your decision.
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It isn’t really simple to define your target audience. Hence, you have to make sure that your decision is right. So, before you finally work on it, make sure that you have re-checked everything so that things will fall in its proper places.
It’s Your Turn Now
Defining your target market is a challenging part but is also part of the foundation of a project, making it very important. It would be a lot easier for you to work on your design if the target audience had been determined. It will also become more effective, thus, reaching your project goals. Can you tell us what you do in order to define your target audience?
