{"id":118226,"date":"2022-01-27T10:21:11","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T18:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/?p=118226"},"modified":"2023-08-11T02:56:56","modified_gmt":"2023-08-11T09:56:56","slug":"steps-to-define-target-audience-for-seo-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bruceclay.com\/blog\/steps-to-define-target-audience-for-seo-program\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Steps to Define Your Target Audience for Your SEO Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
In this article, I\u2019ll explain why defining your target audience is important and how to figure out who they are and what they want.<\/p>\n Of late, there has been talk that persona identification is a waste of time. I think that persona identification has been in marketing for decades, long before digital. It is an integral part of marketing, even if it is not properly labeled.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s use an example: fishing. If you want to catch fish, you need two things: you need the bait your fish are eating, and you need to fish where the fish are. A proper persona identification gives you both. You may think it is unimportant, but then you are not having fish for dinner.<\/p>\n When your target audience searches for what you offer using a search engine, you want your website to show up in the search results. You need the right bait and to put it where your fish can see it. To me, this is obvious.<\/p>\n You have less chance of doing so without knowing what your target audience is searching for. And, when they get to your website, if you don\u2019t have the right content that resonates with them, it can negatively impact your conversions.<\/p>\n Here are three steps you can take to get to the heart of the question: Who is my audience, and what do they want?<\/p>\n Build a profile of your target audience (and you may have more than one) by exploring the following data points and more.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re targeting a consumer:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re targeting a business:<\/p>\n Even when a business is your target audience, there are certain roles within that company you will be targeting (like a consumer). So getting to the heart of what those decision-makers want will be important. (More on that later.)<\/p>\n There are several ways you can gather market research like this. There are companies out there that exist that only do this type of thing.<\/p>\n There is also your Google Analytics account, which can give you key data about the audience that is already coming<\/em> to your website.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re using the Universal Analytics version of Google Analytics, the audience reports<\/a> can show you everything from demographics and interests to location, devices used, and more.<\/p>\n Search engines are usually the starting point for people to discover products, brands, or services and for the consideration phase as well. According to Forrester Consulting research<\/a>:<\/p>\n Keywords are the search queries that your target audience uses in search engines to find what they are looking for.<\/p>\n You need to know what those search queries are so that you can create content for your website around them. This helps the search engines determine that your website is a relevant match for what your target audience is looking for.<\/p>\n Without this critical step in knowing what your audience wants, your website may never have a chance to be found.<\/p>\n For more information, check out:<\/p>\n One of the best ways to get to know your target audience is to take a sample of it and interview them. This could be by web survey or phone.<\/p>\n Make sure to get a sample that represents all your target customers, so it may vary by product or service. Then, craft the questions that can help you get into their minds.<\/p>\n The Buyer Persona Institute<\/a> recommends asking questions like:<\/p>\n You can also glean insights by better understanding their behavior online, such as:<\/p>\n Another qualitative research you might want to consider: use a sample of your target audience to give feedback on your website experience. There are companies out there that can help you conduct this type of research.<\/p>\n For example, you could find out if:<\/p>\n Once you have gathered the necessary data on your target audience using some or all the research steps outlined in this article, it\u2019s time to create the persona profiles. You will have one of these for each of the types of people you are targeting.<\/p>\n A persona is an archetype of your target audience. You will reference it again and again as you create content and other SEO campaigns to ensure that what you are doing is relevant to that archetype.<\/p>\n There are a variety of different ways to create the actual persona profile, but it is usually a document that can be one page (or more) and sums up the data you discovered in the research.<\/p>\n Google \u201cpersona profile examples<\/a>\u201d and you\u2019ll get a bunch of ideas on how to put one together visually.<\/p>\n For more, see: Web Personas: Creating Jane<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n SEO is very much a part of the customer journey.<\/p>\n A customer journey, also known as a buyer journey or consumer decision journey, is the steps a person takes to make a decision to buy a product, sign up for service, or convert in some other way.<\/p>\n Of course, behavioral intent<\/em> can shift as people go through the customer journey. Most people start out with an informational intent, then move through their research and investigation phases before reaching the point when they\u2019re ready to buy (the transactional intent phase).<\/p>\n Behavioral intent categories should supplement, not replace, understanding your personas<\/strong>. Knowing your audience is the first step in making sure your SEO efforts are on target so that you can bring in the right organic search traffic and convert your visitors.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to discuss your particular marketing challenges and how the team at Bruce Clay can help you, contact us for a free quote<\/a> and start the conversation today.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Crafting campaigns that genuinely connect with your audience demands a deep understanding of their needs and preferences. Demographic data can be an invaluable asset to marketers. Demographic characteristics like age, gender, and location give marketers invaluable insights.<\/p>\n Demographic data serves as the foundation of audience targeting. Marketers gain a comprehensive picture of their potential customers by analyzing this data. Take age, for instance. A younger audience might respond better to social media campaigns, while an older demographic could engage more with traditional advertising channels. Armed with such insights, marketers can tailor their messaging to each group’s preferences, increasing the likelihood of capturing their attention.<\/p>\n Location is another critical demographic factor. Regional nuances often impact consumer behavior and preferences. A product that sells well in one area might not resonate in another due to varying cultural norms or economic conditions. Marketers can develop region-specific campaigns that foster a stronger connection and drive conversions by segmenting audiences based on location.<\/p>\n Gender plays a significant role in crafting targeted marketing. Consider skincare products. Men and women might have distinct preferences, leading to tailored messaging for each gender. These nuances extend to language and imagery choices, which can profoundly impact how a message is received. By aligning campaigns with gender preferences, marketers showcase their understanding and connect on a more personal level.<\/p>\n Educational background is a valuable demographic dimension. A highly educated audience might appreciate in-depth content and technical details, while a less-educated group may prefer simpler language and visuals. By gauging educational levels, marketers can adjust the complexity of their content to ensure it resonates with the audience’s intellectual level, enhancing engagement and comprehension.<\/p>\n Demographic data empowers marketers to go beyond assumptions and create campaigns founded on real insights. Demographic data forms a powerful toolkit for crafting highly personalized strategies when combined with other factors like psychographics and purchase behavior. By recognizing the unique characteristics of their audience, marketers can establish trust, deliver value, and drive results.<\/p>\n Step-by-Step Procedure: Enhancing Audience Targeting Strategies with Demographic Data<\/strong><\/p>\n By leveraging demographic data in audience targeting, marketers unlock the potential to create impactful campaigns that resonate on a personal level. Understanding the unique characteristics of your audience empowers you to deliver the right message through the right channels, fostering deeper connections and driving meaningful results.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How well do you really know your target audience? Many businesses have a vague idea who their audience is but haven’t taken the time to research. Learn why defining your target audience is important and how to figure out who they are.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":118228,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1501,1537,1356,1611,1610,1232],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<\/a>
\nDo you know your audience? Like, really<\/em> know your audience? Many businesses have a vague idea of their target audience and what they want but haven\u2019t taken the time to do the research.<\/p>\n\n
<\/a>Why Understanding Your Target Audience Is Important to SEO<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Who Is My Audience and What Do They Want?<\/h2>\n
1. Demographics<\/h3>\n
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2. Keywords<\/h3>\n
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3. Interviews<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Next, Create Your Personas<\/h2>\n
<\/a>Your Target Audience and Their Journey Matters in SEO<\/h2>\n
<\/a>FAQ: How can demographic data enhance audience targeting strategies?<\/h3>\n
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