7 Things you need to know about your prospects in your target market – Part 7

Their location, where do they live, in a flat or house, in the town or country.

This is not the same as income related i.e. big house in the country, again this is about what they will need and want, a lawnmower is no good if you are living in a flat.

You also need to be aware of both cultural and regional differences, whether you plan to sell across the world or just across the UK ( or your own country) you will still have differences you need to be aware of, possibly even offering different language options.

Values can change widely from north to south and east to west, so be aware of this and target your message accordingly.

These 7 key areas to consider when writing your target message to your prospects will ensure you come away with a much more specific message targeted to and written for YOUR audience at that time.

Also, an added benefit, having done it once, for one , you will find it easy and quick to target the same offer with a new focused message to a different audience when applicable.

In the next blog (part 7 bonus) I will write more about your specific target market profile and how to develop one for all you marketing messages across the web, email, sales letter whatever you use to talk to your prospects.

7 Things you need to know about your prospects in your target market – Part 5

Their relationship/marital status, it’s not a case of are they married, but more the difference between the message to a single 40 something, with lots of disposable income and few responsibilities or a married person in their 40’s with two kids, a mortgage and a lot of responsibilities.

……….to be continued

7 Things you need to know about your prospects in your target market – Part 4

Their level of education, this is similar in some respects to the age related question, once again we need to speak in language the recipient will readily understand.

It is not a case of treating everyone like idiots or conversely like brain boxes, but being appropriate in what we say and how we say it, to ensure the right message is received and understood by the right audience - your target customer.

……….to be continued

Attention to detail – does it really matter?

I received a letter in the post this morning which prompted me to put pen to paper or perhaps fingers to keyboard!

I decided to blog, a little off topic and in the middle of the week, as I felt it was a very simple, small thing, but occurring twice in a few weeks meant it had value as a reminder to us all.

Attention to detail is very important especially in a new start up or small business; you only get one chance to impress, so why would you waste it.

Two examples I have personally received in the last few weeks are as follows:

• 
  A letter arrived this morning, enclosing a CV, the letter was hardly readable as the printer had virtually run out of ink , with some lines disappearing completely, the letter was also unsigned and the applicant for a job at my company, stated that they could be “an asset to my school”!
• 
  A few weeks prior to this I received a letter from someone offering me their accountancy services, this company's letter was also poor, in so far as it was printed at an angle, with some words missing (they fell off the page - oh well doesn’t matter!) and once again almost unreadable due to low ink in their printer – I cannot say more as I never even tried to read it, in the bin it went, first impressions were enough.

Both these people have spent time and money researching clients/employers, thinking, compiling, writing, printing and posting their letters and then ensuring a poor response, all that wasted time, effort and money to guarantee a NO.

In today’s difficult climate a yes is hard enough to get, without putting additional barriers in the way.

Both parties have given the recipient the feeling that they do not care enough to check what they are sending out, so would you trust someone with your very valuable assets: your customers or your money.

The person applying for the job may be very good, as might the accountant, but we will never know!

So your one chance to impress 5 minute check list:

1. Check details are correct
2. Spell check the document
3. Check printer ink
4. Check paper in printer is straight
5. Check it over & sign the letter

5 minutes is all it takes to make a big difference to the outcome, attention to detail and pride in what you do does not guarantee you ‘a yes’, but more importantly, it does guarantee that you will not get an instant ‘NO’, so you are in with a chance.

A chance – the door is open
A NO - the door is closed & locked.

So make sure your doors are all open.

Image Connect connects you with your customers.

"The deadly dozen, Part 1 - boost your business with these free hints and tips"

The Deadly Dozen

Over the next few weeks I will be looking at various points that must be taken into account on your web site. Ignore these at your peril....

No.1 - What’s in it for me?

This is the Key question that visitors want answered quickly.

You have a few seconds to hold visitors when they arrive at your site.

You need to answer this question in the top part of the page i.e. the first screen without needing to scroll down; it’s a bit like the headlines on the front page of the newspaper.

Do they grab your attention?

Yes, so you read on because you are interested, think you might learn something new or were thinking/talking about that very subject earlier, whatever the reason you are now hooked.

.....to be continued