Search Engine Users
Online business owners are always looking for ways to market more effectively and reach their target market audience. Since almost everyone has access to web services these days, it’s smart for business owners to maximize their digital resources to reach potential customers. This can exist in so many different creative methods and channels and it can be a profitable marketing method if it’s done correctly.
Search engine users are not a cookie cutter bunch. This means that there isn’t any one defined way to determine just who will be on a search engine at any given time or searching for one thing in particular. The vast web now has literally millions and millions of people accessing its informational portals every day, so the potential to reach customers is large and limitless.
The best way to determine a target market audience is to search for the searchers. Yes, that means using search engines and its resources to see what and where potential customers may be. Since they are in so many different places and formats, determining the style and habits of the search user is likely going to be the best method in finding them.
Online and Socializing
Several research studies have indicated that search engine users spend a lot of time on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, among others. These sites are wildly popular and those who frequent these portals are likely highly connected to a pool of people who also think like them and vice-versa. Within pools of like-minded people comes a sphere of influence, so it’s easier for everyone in that group to assimilate with the others in their way of thinking. People in social networking circles often give opinions and feedback on products and services that they’ve used, or they share events that they have or will attend. Or, the users may turn to their list of friends that they have and ask questions or opinions from others as they make decisions to purchase, etc. from the input they’ve gained.
Email is also another popular socializing method, however it’s not an instantaneous and instantly gratifying, as is social networking. Email does however allow a person to connect and interact, and it allows them to do it from a convenience standpoint rather than feeling compelled to respond immediately to messages or connections.
Forums, Chats, Groups
Although these methods are also a form of social networking, they work somewhat differently than those other applications. Forums are generally made up of people who are interested in a particular, distinct subject, and they’ve all gathered together in one place to interact about that topic. These users will often have connections to social applications as well, but for their specific purposes, the forum serves as a dedicated area for them to discuss their topic of choice.
Because of the specialization of chat groups, this feature makes forums the best place to market a niche product or service. For instance, photography products like digital cameras or camera accessories would receive a lot of attention on a forum site that caters to photography customers rather than a general forum for digital products. And while the customers on those sites are indeed networking and socializing, they all share a definite interest in a particular subject. They are not connected only for the sake of networking, but they want to interact with others so they can gain more information, insight, etc.
Online business owners can take advantage of this marketing opportunity by buying targeted customer lists that would be interested in their product(s). Search engine directories often have dedicated search lists that can find certain demographics, income levels, career choices, etc. When companies have a dedicated list from which to work and market, half the work is already done. After that, the sales pitch is made and the process begins to work. Therefore, starting with quality, directed marketing lists is just the beginning.
