Target audience: How to find yours
Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2025 12:48 pm
What is a target audience?
“Target audience” refers to a group of consumers characterized by shared qualities like demographic data, behaviors, interests, etc. Most companies and products will have multiple target audiences representing diverse products and user groups.
Brands identify their target consumers by articulating audience features to create a clear picture of who the potential customer is. This image clarifies brand messaging, focuses marketing efforts, and even guides what products to develop next.
For example, a wine company can't sell to both high-end wine aficionados and novice wine drinkers. Through target audience research, they could identify their target wine drinkers as those ages 24 to 30 who have an interest in wine but limited budgets. Knowing their audience, they can focus on appealing to those buyers instead of trying to appeal to everyone.
Is it the same as a buyer persona? No — your target audience represents your entire potential consumer group. Your buyer persona is a fictional representation of one target audience member.
Target Market vs Target Audience
Both target market and target audience are ways of grouping customers for segmentation. However, “target market” refers to the broader group of potential customers. The target audience sits within the target market and is a more specific segment.
Let's use an example of the IKEA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Target market: People in western Pennsylvania.
Target audience: People in western Pennsylvania who want to buy budget-friendly furniture.
One potential qatar telemarketing database target segment: Expectant parents in western Pennsylvania who need budget-friendly nursery furniture.
After identifying a target segment, you then create buyer personas that represent the detailed emotions and needs of each customer segment.
Are the terms making more sense? Don't worry, this isn’t a test and you won't fail — as long as you focus on understanding the people who buy your product.
Types of Target Audiences
The world doesn't need more generic marketing campaigns. Personalization is key, and it’s something that modern consumers expect. A Boston Consulting Group (BCG) survey found that more than 80% of respondents reported wanting and expecting personalized experiences.
This is achieved by focusing on your brand's different target audience types. Here they are at a glance:
“Target audience” refers to a group of consumers characterized by shared qualities like demographic data, behaviors, interests, etc. Most companies and products will have multiple target audiences representing diverse products and user groups.
Brands identify their target consumers by articulating audience features to create a clear picture of who the potential customer is. This image clarifies brand messaging, focuses marketing efforts, and even guides what products to develop next.
For example, a wine company can't sell to both high-end wine aficionados and novice wine drinkers. Through target audience research, they could identify their target wine drinkers as those ages 24 to 30 who have an interest in wine but limited budgets. Knowing their audience, they can focus on appealing to those buyers instead of trying to appeal to everyone.
Is it the same as a buyer persona? No — your target audience represents your entire potential consumer group. Your buyer persona is a fictional representation of one target audience member.
Target Market vs Target Audience
Both target market and target audience are ways of grouping customers for segmentation. However, “target market” refers to the broader group of potential customers. The target audience sits within the target market and is a more specific segment.
Let's use an example of the IKEA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania:
Target market: People in western Pennsylvania.
Target audience: People in western Pennsylvania who want to buy budget-friendly furniture.
One potential qatar telemarketing database target segment: Expectant parents in western Pennsylvania who need budget-friendly nursery furniture.
After identifying a target segment, you then create buyer personas that represent the detailed emotions and needs of each customer segment.
Are the terms making more sense? Don't worry, this isn’t a test and you won't fail — as long as you focus on understanding the people who buy your product.
Types of Target Audiences
The world doesn't need more generic marketing campaigns. Personalization is key, and it’s something that modern consumers expect. A Boston Consulting Group (BCG) survey found that more than 80% of respondents reported wanting and expecting personalized experiences.
This is achieved by focusing on your brand's different target audience types. Here they are at a glance: