How to Find Your Target Audience — and Why It Matters More Than You Think

If you’re trying to sell to everyone, you’re probably reaching no one.

Share this:

By: Darren Coleshill on 16th July 2025, 4 minute read

It’s a common trap for small business owners and marketers: casting the net wide in the hope of catching more customers. But in reality, the most successful brands are the ones that narrow their focus. They know exactly who they’re speaking to — and they tailor everything around that.

That’s the power of understanding your target audience.

What is a Target Audience?

Your target audience is the specific group of people most likely to buy from you. They’re the customers who need your product or service, value what you offer, and are ready to take action.

Think of it this way: instead of trying to shout into a crowd, you’re having a one-on-one conversation with the people who want to hear from you.

Why Does It Matter?

“The moment you stop trying to sell to everyone is the moment your message starts landing with the right people.”

Here’s why finding your audience is a game-changer for your business:

  • Better return on investment – No more wasting money on ads that don’t convert.
  • Clearer messaging – Speak directly to their needs, challenges, and desires.
  • Smarter strategy – Focus your efforts on platforms where your audience actually spends time.
  • Improved customer relationships – Build trust, loyalty, and repeat business.
  • Less overwhelm – When you know who you’re talking to, everything else becomes easier — from writing social posts to planning new offers.

How to Define Your Target Audience

Finding your audience starts with understanding who you’re best positioned to serve. Here are a few steps to help you define them:

1. Start with Demographics

Look at things like:

  • Age and gender
  • Location (city, region, country)
  • Income level
  • Job title or industry
  • Education level

2. Dig into Psychographics

These are the more emotional and behavioural aspects:

  • Interests and hobbies
  • Lifestyle choices
  • Personal values and beliefs
  • Pain points and frustrations
  • Goals and aspirations

3. Use Real Data

You don’t need to guess. Use tools like:

  • Google Analytics – Understand who’s visiting your site and how they behave
  • Social media insights – Find out which posts get the most traction and who’s engaging
  • Customer feedback – Pay attention to what your happy clients are saying

4. Build a Customer Persona

Create a profile of your ideal customer — even give them a name. For example:

Meet “Emma” — she’s a 38-year-old marketing manager from Brighton. She runs a small fintech start up, uses social daily, and wants reliable tools that save her time. Her biggest pain point? Keeping on top of her email marketing

The more detailed your persona, the easier it becomes to craft messages and offers that connect.

Ask Yourself:

To really dial in your audience, ask:

  • Who do I love working with?
  • Who gets the most value from what I do?
  • What problem do I solve best?
  • Who are my most loyal customers — and what do they have in common?

What Happens Once You Know?

Once you’ve identified your audience, everything flows more naturally:

📝 Your website copy becomes more compelling
📧 Your emails feel personal and relevant
📣 Your ads perform better with less spend
🛒 Your offers and pricing are more aligned with customer needs

You don’t need a massive audience. You need the right audience.

Stop trying to speak to everyone. Start speaking to the people who are already looking for what you do.

Because when your message lands in the right hands, everything changes.

Need help defining your target audience or building a strategy that connects with them?

Let’s talk. Book a free discovery call today and we’ll help you cut through the noise.

While you are here, why not sign up to our newsletter?

PortfolioMetrix

Case Study: PortfolioMetrix

From accessing our experience in managing marketing automation, to turning content production into a fully formed content strategy, PortfolioMetrix plugged into the core of our capabilities.

Share this:

Darren Coleshill

Author

Darren Coleshill

Our leader in social media management, email marketing and CRM and Marketing Automation, Darren is responsible for The Marketing Eye being one of the few agencies in the UK able to offer full end-to-end customer journey management.

Campaign Manager / The Marketing Eye

Related Reading