Everyone at Chairmen’s RoundTable is dedicated to helping make your business or non-profit more relevant and profitable. To make it easier, we’re happy to provide you with this list of 12 effective ways to truly know your audience, whether you’re marketing a product, writing a book, or running a business:
1. Create Detailed Buyer Personas. Build fictional profiles that include demographics, job roles, goals, pain points, and buying habits.
2. Conduct Surveys & Questionnaires. Use tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms to directly ask your audience what they want, need, or expect.
3. Analyze Website & Social Media Analytics. Platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and LinkedIn Analytics reveal demographics, interests, and engagement patterns.|
4. Engage in Social Listening. Monitor conversations about your industry, competitors, and brand on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, chatgroups, forums, or review sites to learn language, concerns, and trends.
5. Hold Focus Groups. Small, guided discussions let you gather qualitative insights on opinions, needs, and emotional triggers.
6. Review Competitor Audiences. Study who interacts with competitors—see what works, what they respond to, and gaps you can fill.
7. Track Buying & Usage Behavior. Use CRM data to see purchase frequency, average order value, and product preferences.
8. Read Customer Reviews & Feedback. Look at reviews on your products and similar products to understand real frustrations and desires.
9. Monitor Industry Trends & Reports. Research studies, trade publications, and trend reports to see how audience interests are shifting.
10. Ask Your Frontline Team. Customer service reps, salespeople, and support staff often have first-hand insights into customer needs and frustrations.
11. Use Polls & Interactive Content. Quick polls on Instagram, LinkedIn, or email newsletters give fast feedback and increase engagement.
12. Participate in Their Communities. Join Facebook groups, Reddit threads, LinkedIn groups, or events where your audience hangs out—listen more than you talk.
Yes, we know this all sounds like common sense, and if you’re already doing all these things, GREAT! You’re well on your way towards increased success. But if you’re not currently doing all these things, consider this a gentle reminder.
Need some additional ideas on how to improve your business or non-profit? Become a CRT client and let us help you with several months of free, practical, customized, one-on-one expertise.
