Campfire 24: How to find your target audience as a freelance designer?

As a freelancer, it's your job to define your target audience rather than allowing it to define yourself. Then, once you've identified your target audience, you go after them, track them down, and persuade them that you're the ideal designer for them to w

During my mentorship sessions, I always ask freelance designers what their target audience is. It helps to build an understanding of how they can build and market their solo business.

But in 90% of the situations designer's answers are similar to this:

Anyone who needs design services, I guess.

Wrong!

See, as a freelancer, it's your job to define your target audience rather than allowing it to define yourself. Then, once you've identified your target audience, you go after them, track them down, and persuade them that you're the ideal designer for them to work with.

Here's how to do it

Today, I'd like to share with you the simplest way to define and grow your target audience.

Step 1: Figure out your niche

Take a step back and consider what you're really, really good at. Because millions of designers can produce the same results in all areas of design.

However, if you can specialize in something very particular, you will stand out and shine when approaching potential clients.

Finding your niche is the first step to building your target audience.

Step 2: Find your target audience

Next, you must identify your target audience and determine whether there are enough of them to sustain your business.

Find out where they spend their time online, what advertisements reach them the most effectively (newspapers, community newsletters, forums, social media), and then get involved in those spaces.

Finding places where your target audience hangs out isn't an easy job, but definitely possible. The reality is that most of us already know how and where to find clients:

• Word of mouth & referrals

• Building a personal brand & online portfolio

• Job boards & forums

• Blogging

• Ads

• Social media

• And the list goes on...

And the secret to finding new client work is quite simple – take action! Take what you know already and put it to use today! What are you waiting for?

Step 3: Focus on your audience

Just because you've identified your target market doesn't mean you should never accept work from anyone else. In the end, money is money, and work is work.

However, focusing your marketing efforts solely on your target audience will allow you to spend your time and money more effectively.

Sure, there will be spillage. But keep your eyes on your target audience.

Conclusion

If you take action today, I guarantee you'll see more clearly how you can grow your design business faster and make more money doing more of what you really love.