You need to target your market then plan: Direct Marketing Lists
As a Direct Marketing Consultant, I often wonder how many prospective clients come to me with a plan. How many of them actually know what they want to do before they contact me to do an opt in email or telemarketing campaign? I would hope that the medium to larger organizations have their strategic marketing plan in place. I can certainly give more slack to the smaller firms with the smaller budgets and staff.
I am sure that most of you have heard the quote: “Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail.” No truer words have been said. I believe that most of what we do as productive adults in our daily work and domestic lives is based on some sort of to do list.
Today I wanted to take a look at what others are saying about businesses understanding their target market before designing their plan. Here is what I found:
Here is an article from Creative Outlet titled, “Can you define your target market?” The author provides some good input for small business owners who cannot afford to hire an advertising or market research firm to arrive at their target market. They include:
1. Survey your customers – find out why they buy from you.
2. Create your own focus group – ask friends to bring people they think could be prospective clients – who fit your target.
Here is one more article from Lawyernomics titled, “Identifying your Target Audience.” The author states that the more you understand your target audience and what they need, the less marketing dollars you will waste. BINGO!! He provides some ideas to help your targeting process – here they are:
1. Segment your Customers – into industries, geographies, products, etc. Then you will know who to target what products to.
2. Who is profitable – Once you know your segments, you will also know who drives profit and who does not – who to focus marketing $$ on and who not to.
3. Know your competition – What are they doing?
I hope that this article has been helpful! Please contact Pinnacle Lists for more information about direct marketing lists. Thanks!
