The term "target client" has been vastly overused in marketing terminology in the past decade. While it's wise to have a target client, most successful entrepreneurs know that it's more important to have an ideal client.
What do you TARGET in a client?
A target client profile can consist of ...The term "target client" has been vastly overused in marketing terminology in the past decade. While it's wise to have a target client, most successful entrepreneurs know that it's more important to have an ideal client.
What do you TARGET in a client?
A target client profile can consist of demographics like age, gender, religion, income range, education, and geographic area. A target client is usually part of a niche market based on a certain set of demographics. For example, if you're a financial advisor you could target successful business owners with gross revenues over $250,000.00 and no retirement plan. This makes sense because the business owner will have profits ready to be invested. The larger market is business owners and the niche is successful business owners making over $250,000.00. A niche should be fairly easy to identify and big enough to provide a steady flow of new prospects.
What do you WANT in a client?
The difference between a target client and an ideal client is the qualities you WANT in a client, namely the factors that make dealing with this client the reason you are in business in the first place. Identifying and going after your ideal client not only translates into dollars for your business, it also makes perfect sense because these are the clients that make you happy.
Your ideal client is the one you are pleased to take on. They make your day. After an appointment with your ideal client you are energized and can take on the world. You feel happy to work with them. These are the clients you want to actively pursue.
To create your own Million Dollar Ideal Client Profile, ask yourself the following questions:
• Who are the ideal clients who can easily afford to pay my fees?
• In what income range does my ideal client fall?
• Who are the clients that value my service?
• Are they the type of client that trusts me?
• Who is the client that I am comfortable with knowing that I don’t have to "sell" them anything?
• Which of my current clients act on my advice/suggestions?
• Are my ideal clients ready for action?
• Will my ideal clients take responsibility for their decisions?
• Do my ideal clients realize it when they have taken up too much of my time?
• Are my ideal clients willing to invest in themselves?
• Are my ideal clients open to new ideas?
• Will my ideal clients refer business to me and be raving fans?
Where can you find your ideal client?
Ask yourself where they congregate? What clubs do they belong to? What social activities do they engage in? Think of clients you are currently servicing. Who do you know who is your ideal client and who can they refer you to?
What are some ways that you can attract your ideal clients?
You can attract them by including a section in your bio or in your Frequently Asked Questions area of your website that states "I work best with clients who…"
Your Action Item:
Take some time right now to list the qualities you seek in your ideal client and begin to develop your million dollar ideal client profile.
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Check out Suzanne's Easy Business Plan Template here: http://prosperitycoaching.biz/a_mini-business-plan.html. Suzanne Muusers is an ICF-Credentialed Business Coach who helps entrepreneurs attain a higher level of success. Reprint Rights: You MUST provide full credit to Suzanne Muusers and a functioning link to her website http://prosperitycoaching.biz/. The article may not be altered in any way.