Imagine you are a world-renowned chef in a 5-star restaurant: the kind that would make Gordon Ramsay proud. You are especially famous for your filet mignon, a decadent dish – perfectly cooked, medium rare, juicy, pink and tender. You are preparing your dish for a group of highly influential food critics. Your servers place their filets in front of them, and you wait on pins and needles for their reactions. You see the food critics speaking with the server and you can tell something is wrong. The server reports back to you and informs you that every. single. critic. is. a. VEGETARIAN.
This issue could have easily been avoided if you had known your audience. As a world class chef, you could have easily wowed these food critics with your Eggplant Parmesan or your Portobello Mushrooms. Your audience should be able to consume what you give them and enjoy it.
Here are 4 steps to feed your audience and give them what they crave.
1. WHO are they?
Defining your audience is a pivotal part of growing your brand. How can you feed someone if you don’t get to know them? It’s very difficult to develop a content strategy without knowing WHO you are trying to reach. A common mistake is to try and appeal to everyone, but all that does is waste valuable time, energy and money. Pinpoint exactly the demographic you are trying to reach – who your product or brand is intended for and focus your content on what would appeal to them.
2. WHAT do they want?
Once you’ve determined who you are trying to reach, it’s time to figure out what they want. Ask yourself some of the following questions:
What are some of the issues/problems that resonate in your audience’s specific demographic?
How can you help solve their issues with your product or brand?
What other products/brands/agencies are they attracted to?
Do your research. Your audience wants to be fed something they can savor, something they can truly enjoy with their friends that will keep them coming back for more.
3. WHY do they need YOU?
Now that you’ve gotten to know your audience and the things they enjoy, it’s time to set yourself apart. Why should they come to your restaurant (or product or brand) instead of the one down the street (or in the next web browser tab)?
Be out-of-the-box with what you are providing them. Give them what they want, but also give them something they didn’t realize they wanted until they found YOU. What makes your brand stand out from the others? How can you solve their problem faster, easier or better than competitors? Be memorable.
4. WHERE can they be reached?
Knowing WHERE to reach your audience is just as important as knowing WHO they are. You wouldn’t put your 5-star restaurant in a section of town where no one can even afford an appetizer. For your audience to respond to your brand and share it with others, you’ve got to reach them first. Here are some of the best ways of reaching your audience:
Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.)
Websites
Podcasts
Blogs
Email or Paper Newsletters and Newspapers
Get to know which outlet your audience spends the most time, and focus your content where it will be seen!
Need help feeding, growing or finding your target audience? We can help!! At Jennasis and Associates, we are digital marketing experts who would love to assist you in expanding your brand. Contact us for more info!
