Understanding your target market is one of the sales basics. Knowing who you’re trying to sell to and what makes them tick enables you to engage with them and convey your message more effectively.

Often though, target markets are so broadly defined that they become like bricks in a wall with no personality. But it’s the personality that you need to reach in order to sell your stuff. So, instead of looking at your market as a bunch of people, look at it as just one person. 

For example, let's call her Eunice.

Now, make like a mind reader and get inside her head.

• What is important to her?
• What is her life like every single day?
• What makes her happy?
• What makes her sad?
• What makes her ANGRY(!!!)?

Check out her friends. Who does Eunice hang out with and what attracts her to them?

Next, think about the problem Eunice has that will be solved by using your product or service.

• Does she suffer with arthritis but is wary of doctors?
• Is she generous to her grandchildren but sometimes has trouble finding the perfect gift?

Whatever the problem, you have the solution for her - after all, Eunice is your Target Market!

Now let’s make it really interesting …

As the title says: If your Target Market were a celebrity, who would it be? Taking into account all the characteristics of your target market personified (i.e. your 'Eunice'), who in the public eye best captures that market?

Could it be Paris Hilton, Princess of Fashion? Perhaps Will Smith, all-round nice guy who can kick butt if he needs to. Dave Hughes for the angry man next door or Julia Gillard in a power suit? Dame Edna would be interesting … if she’s your Eunice, marketing’s going to be a blast!

Basically, it’s all about connection. Connecting with your market, looking him (or her) in the eye and making his day.

Who’s your Eunice?

Owning a business usually means wearing several different hats—often at the same time. Employer, manager, marketer, diplomat, business strategist, problem solver, counsellor, coach, just to name a few. (Are we tired yet?) And each hat needs its own voice. Voice? Talking hats? What the...?

Let me explain.

Every role you play in the running of your business requires that you communicate with someone. The way that you communicate depends on which hat you're wearing at the time. And, the audience you're communicating with determines which hat you wear.

Let me repeat that.

The audience you're communicating with determines which hat you wear.

This is a very important point to grasp as it will affect the outcome of everything you say, write or do.

For example: Let's say you sell bicycles. You employ sales people and back up staff in the shop as well as a website guru for your online sales. The hat you wear as an Employer has a different voice than your Marketer Hat which is different again from your Business Strategist Hat.

The need arises for you to speak to one of your sales folk about his performance. His character, education level, attitude and experience will tell you whether to don your Coach Hat or Manager Hat. As a coach you will communicate differently—through choice of words, demeanour, tone, body language and facial expression—than a manager. Getting the hat right will ensure the meeting achieves its best possible result.

Think about all the hats you wear in your business. Perhaps you're an independent professional with no employees. Who do you communicate with and what hat must you wear to do it?

· Clients: diplomat, counsellor, problem solver...?

· Prospective clients: marketer, authority figure...?

· Suppliers: manager, customer (for an "other side of the table" look)

Now, think about the differences between each voice. How do you speak to a supplier? How does that differ from your conversation with a client? And how does that contrast with the language you use in your marketing materials?

(Heads up: If there is no difference, your business' bottom line is most probably not living up to its full potential.)

What's your favourite hat in the collection?