Finding Your Target Market on the Web
One of the most common questions people new to
Internet business ask is, "Where do I find my
target market?" Most of these people know exactly
whom they want to sell their products/services to,
but they have no idea where to find them on the
Internet.
Most of the people selling online are offering a
good product or service, but many of them aren't
making any sales. What’s the problem? It’s not
their product. It’s their marketing, specifically
where they are marketing.
Hundreds upon hundreds of Internet entrepreneurs
are making the very same mistakes every single day.
They are under the impression that placing their
URL on FFA link pages and submitting to billions
of search engines will attract tons of ready to
buy shoppers to their website. Could they be more
wrong!?
These tactics are kind of like trying to sell ice
to Eskimos. They have no need to buy ice when it’s
all around them. The same is true for most of the
people who are attracted to these websites. They
have no need for what’s there.
So how do you find your target audience? First of
all, you have to think like them. Put yourself in
the place of your customers. What do they want?
Where will they go looking for it online?
The obvious answer is search engines. Yahoo! isn't
the most visited website on the Internet for nothing.
But unless you’re willing to spend months just trying
to get a top ranking, or pay someone big bucks to do
it for you, this isn't the best way to find your
audience.
Okay, we've ruled out search engines as the best
place to find your target market. What’s the answer
then? Ezines and
newsletters.
Why ezines and newsletters?
Why do people subscribe to an ezine? They’re
interested in whatever the topic of the ezine
is. If it’s about Internet marketing, then the
readers are interested in Internet marketing.
If you’re marketing products designed for Internet
marketers, what better place to advertise than in
a publication with a subscriber base made up
completely of Internet marketers? All of them
are potential buyers. No longer are you trying
to sell ice to Eskimos, but to desert nomads
looking for ice!
Advertising in ezines and newsletters is very
effective and it works! There are millions of
subscribers around the world who are receiving
ezines on a regular basis because they are
interested in hearing what the publisher has to say.
So how do you place an ad in an ezine targeted to
your audience?
First you have to find an ezine whose topic matches
your target market. There are several searchable
directories online that list ezines organized by
subject matter. These directories usually list
contact information, advertising rates, and
circulation. Try out one of these:
http://www.lifestylepub.com
http://www.ezineadsource.com
So check them out, find a targeted ezine (maybe
this one?), and place an ad! You'll be amazed at
the number of buying visitors who drop by your
website.
About the Author
Martin Greening is an avid Internet marketer and is
currently looking for motivated individuals to fill a
small group of top leaders in his new organization.
Potential is limitless. Please check out
http://www.roibot.com/w.cgi?R347_hb for more details.
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