This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many online business owners do not know where their target market hangs out.

I have a friend who recently started a website selling custom-made onesies and t-shirts for kids. Because I am fairly familiar with website marketing , I offered to help her market her online store. My first question (after what are her top keywords, of course), was, who is her target market?

“Parents, of course!” Well don’t I feel silly. OK, “so where are some of the places you have been marketing your site?” Talk about a ‘deer in headlights’.

She proceeded to tell me that she had visited several business sites.  “And?” Complete silence.

We had briefly spoken before about her visiting blogs and forums in her industry and building relationships with others. Maybe, I should have been more specific in my direction.

So you may be wondering, what is wrong with her visiting these business sites? Nothing really, except did I forget to mention, she was spending ALL her time on them.

It is perfectly fine that she wanted to be where other entrepreneurs were and learn how to build her business and create relationships. The problem is that she was spending all her time marketing to a market that will offer her little prospects. No time was being spent on her TRUE market…as she had previously stated, “parents, of course!”

Entrepreneurs go to business blogs to talk and learn about business and market to other entrepreneurs. They don’t necessary go to these sites with the intention of buying kids t-shirts.

So where do you go to find your target market?

This is a good question and with a bit of research you can easily find your target market. One good way is to visit forums in the industry you are in. Forums are great because they tend to discuss a whole host of topics within an industry.

For example,

Selling kids products? … visit mommy blogs and forums

Selling pet products? … visit blog and forums that discuss animal topics such as health and training

Offer a massage service? …check out health and well-being blogs and forums

You get the drift.

Here’s a neat trick:

Go to Google and type in forum: [your keyword] and see what comes up

For example, forum: pet products

My point about finding your target markets is this:

It’s absolutely fine to visit sites and interact with like-minded individuals. It’s great to learn from others, and as well, share some of your own knowledge. But if you are looking to drive your business, thus SALES, then go where your potential customers are.

Help THEM – solve THEIR problems and get them on your side and you just may create a loyal customer for life. So how do you create customer loyalty once you get them on board? Well, I guess you’ll have to read the article.

Good luck!

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