Understanding Your Target Audience Like a Best Friend (Not a Sales Pitch)

Why “Everyone” Is Not Your Audience

Trying to reach everyone in Jacksonville — from military families to retirees to tourists — sounds good in theory, but it usually leads to watered-down marketing. The businesses that stand out know exactly who they’re talking to and how to connect with them.

The 3 Layers of Understanding Your Audience

  1. Demographics (who they are) — Age, location, family size, occupation. For Jacksonville, that might mean military spouses, young families, or long-time locals.
  2. Psychographics (what they value) — Military families might value convenience and flexibility, while retirees may value personal service and community involvement.
  3. Behavior (how they make decisions) — Do they research online first, ask neighbors for recommendations, or make impulse buys?

How to Learn What Your Audience Really Wants

  • Surveys and polls — Ask your current customers what they need most
  • Social listening — Watch local Facebook groups and forums
  • Casual conversations — Your best insights might come while talking to a customer over coffee

Insider Tip from Aseaba: I use the “coffee date” method — imagining a relaxed conversation with my ideal client at a local café. Whatever they’d say in that moment usually tells me exactly what my marketing should focus on.

Building Your Messaging From Audience Insights

Once you know your audience’s values and pain points, you can speak directly to them in your ads, emails, and website copy. This turns your marketing into a personal connection instead of a sales pitch.

How Understanding Your Audience Fuels Every Marketing Channel

When you know your audience well:

  • Email marketing becomes more relevant
  • SEO targets the exact phrases they search
  • Social media posts get more engagement
  • Ads become more cost-effective

If you want to get crystal clear on your ideal Jacksonville audience, I’ll help you uncover who they are, what they care about, and how to connect with them in a way that feels real.