Monster Tip #3 - The Best Way to Find Out Is to Ask…

What is the best way to learn the nitty gritty details about your target audience?  Simply ask them.  

You’ll be amazed at what people will tell you if you.  Here are some suggestions for finding out everything there is to know about your target audience.

• Go where they go.  If you can, go to conferences and events. Buy them drinks or dinner. You can do the same thing online.  Go to the forums where they hang out.  Ask questions on the forum and well as really read the posts.

• Do a survey.  You can create a free online survey using a program called surveymonkey.  If you think you might get more than 100 responses, you might decide that it is more cost effective to subscribe to a survey service.  One of the best values out there is Easy Internet Survey.  The program has tons of advanced features at a very good price.

• Offer a free coaching session or a free FAQ phone call.  During the call ask probing questions to assess your audience’s needs.  They’ll benefit because you are asking questions that are making them *think*.  You’ll benefit by getting some really candid answers to your research questions.

• Ask the question in an email.  As part of your introductory e-mail — open up a dialogue with your audience.  Ask them to send you their most important questions.  If you are just starting out, you might want to take the time to answer the questions.  You can make some friends early on by sharing your knowledge and expertise.

• Look at how the headlines are put together.  What are the goals of the publications?  Can you create products to meet those goals?

Once you have compiled all of this information, you can put together a profile of your clients.   The profile will not only help you to focus you rmarketing efforts — it is also a great writer’s block breaker.  Whenever, you are at a loss for words, go back and look at your ideal client profile, remember thier frustrations and try to write something that will solve thier problems.