Defining your ideal client can happen in a variety of ways. The best way is to decide who they are prior to inventing a product or developing your services. But, many people do it the other way successfully; it’s just a little more difficult. As you are working toward defining your ideal client, ask and answer the following questions.
Who do you really want to work with?
It’s important to know the type of people you want work with. Write down your ideal candidate and leave nothing out. You want this to be your perfect, ideal customer that would exist in a perfect world. Do you want to work with life coaches who earn six figures? Do you want to work with stay at home mothers who are trying to start small businesses of their own? Do you want to work with early adopters or people who are afraid of technology? It’s up to you who the customer is.
What problems can you solve?
When you write down whom your ideal client is, in your mind, what problems can you solve for them? Can you get them more organized and help them systemize their processes? Can you teach them something that they need to know to be successful? Do you have a product that solves a problem such as helping them accomplish a task easier, or providing them with more energy throughout the day? List their problems; list your solutions.
Do you have a specific geographical location you want to serve?
In many cases, with online marketing your thoughts automatically go to serving the international community as a whole. But, you probably should narrow it down to “English speaking” or American or Canadian or something else entirely. Maybe you realize as you’re studying the issue that your clients and customers live in your own town, or maybe you realize they live in many towns all over the world, but are English speakers.
How much money do you need to earn?
This may seem like a strange question but it’s an important determination on whether or not your chosen client base, and the products and services you want to provide, will provide the income you need. If you’re only capable of producing products or services for a finite amount of people at a particular price, this becomes very important.
How much disposable money does your ideal client earn?
If your clients and customers cannot afford to buy what you’re selling then you’ll have trouble meeting your goals. Determine in advance what type of money they can afford to spend and what type of quality of products and or services they are expecting for that amount of money.
What types of clients do you absolutely not want to work with?
As important as it is to know with whom you want to work, it’s also important to know the types of people you absolutely do not want to work with. This doesn’t mean that you are shunning them; it only means that they’re not right for you. Keeping the door closed to those whom aren’t right for you helps you leave room for those who are.
What types of business do your ideal clients participate in?
Do your ideal clients already have their own business, or do they work for a business? Does your ideal client buy from your competitors? If so, why do they choose to buy from them? Knowing the activities of your ideal client is an important way to get closer to them so that you can be a resource to them.
What are your core values and how will you align your business with those?
These can be very personal values and ethics, and what you want your business and brand to represent to the public. They can also be only related to your business – it’s up to you. If you can match your values, and your business’s values with your clients’ values, you’ll have a perfect match that will help you match up your marketing efforts to attract the right customers.
The big lesson here is that if you work with and sell to only people that you want to be around, like, and care about emotionally, you’ll have a much better business model to work with. You’ll be able to stick with this ideal client long term, building solid relationships, and continue to solve their problems and fill their needs.
