Step 2: Define your ideal client

I hope that you had time to define your target market or niche as some people like to call it.  Once you have done that, you get to have some fun and figure out who your ideal client is.
Think of it this way, if you could work with any type of person, who would they be?  Here is a list of questions for you to think about as you create your Mr. and Ms. Right for your business.

1.  What is the typical demographic of my Ideal Client?  Get specific, down to age, where they live, how much money do they make, do they have kids, pets, ex-spouses? 

2.  What does this person do for a living?  Are they self-employed?  A mid-level manager?   A C-Level executive?  Independently wealthy?

3.  What issues does this person face, and how can I help?

4.  Is my ideal client someone who spends time online?  Are they up to speed with technology, or would they rather do business face to face?

5. How could I meet my ideal client?  Do they belong to certain organizations?  Do they golf? Go to the gym?

For example, with Bulldog Marketing, my ideal client is someone who falls into the Independent Professional Category, such as  a coach, trainer or consultant.
They range in age from about 30 to 60, and many are transitioning out of a corporate job and going out on their own.  They have some understanding of the internet and technology, but for the most part, are not sitting at home writing HTML code and designing their own websites.  Most of my clients come from reading my blog, and then asking me to help them.  The issues that they typically have is that they know they need to get presence on the internet, but they do not really know where to start, and they do not have the time to figure all of this stuff out on their own. 

So your mission is to take the time to really think about your ideal client, and define their needs.  Once you do that, you will  have a solid foundation to plan your marketing efforts, and design your product portfolio.  It is a lot easier to design products and services for someone that you know and understand, and have a clear picture of, then trying to create something for everybody.