One of the keys to great marketing:
Showing up where your customers typically spend their time.
It seems super simple (and slightly obvious), but it can be incredibly hard to pin down.
- Are your customers active on LinkedIn?
- Do they attend tradeshows?
- Do they read any specific publications?
- Who are they listening to?
- Do they turn to any directories to find vendors?
You might be surprised to learn that social media is NOT the only place where your customers spend their time.
Shocking, I know.
In fact, we have some clients who rely heavily on print magazine advertising for lead gen.
Print. Magazine. Advertising.
I chuckle every time I share that. Who would have thought that magazines would be the best way for some industries to advertise in 2025?
But that's where their customers hang out.
They read those magazines religiously, trust the editorials, and stay ahead of what's happening in the industry.
Marketing 101: even if it seems crazy, be where your customers are.
So, how can you uncover places where your ideal customers hang out?
Try these ChatGPT promtps.
Find Associations to Join
Most industries have at least one association you can join.
Depending on the industry, those associations range from just a paid directory to a vibrant community that hosts events to help vendors and customers find each other.
Networking is rarely a bad idea.
So, how do you find those associations?
Try this prompt:
You are a marketing strategist who specializes in networking in industry associations. Please provide me a list of associations that would be beneficial for my business [business name] ([url]) to join to meet my customers. I am trying to attract customers like:
[customer 1] [customer 1 url]
[customer 2] [customer 2 url]
[customer 3] [customer 3 url]
[customer 4] [customer 4 url]
[customer 5] [customer 5 url]
Find Directories to Join
Some associations will feature some kind of directory where vendors can list the products and services they provide.
When you review the associations ChatGPT gives you, check them out to see if they have a directory.
Directories are often free for the vendor and provide another way for your customers to find you.
Try this prompt:
You are a marketing strategist who specializes in helping customers stand out in industry directories. Please provide me a list of directories that would be beneficial for my business [business name] ([url]) so that I can join and meet my customers. I am trying to attract customers like:
[customer 1] [customer 1 url]
[customer 2] [customer 2 url]
[customer 3] [customer 3 url]
[customer 4] [customer 4 url]
[customer 5] [customer 5 url]
Find Industry Publications
Most industries have at least one publication that has become the trusted source for vendors and customers.
That publication could be anything from a magazine, e-zine, or email newsletter β paid or free.
Finding and becoming active in those publications will give you a leg up with your customers. You'll gain trust by association.
Now, this doesn't mean you have to advertise in those publications.
That will often be the easiest way to become active. But take it further: build relationships with the editors and publishers.
- Provide your expertise
- Share content you've written
- Become a trusted source for their articles
Advertising is great, but being a source they cite in an article? That will boost trust more than any ad can.
Try this prompt:
You are a marketing and advertising strategist specializing in print and digital advertising. This includes magazines, e-zines, and email newsletters. Please provide me a list of publications that would be beneficial for my business [business name] ([url]). My goal is to build trust with potential customers like:
[customer 1] [customer 1 url]
[customer 2] [customer 2 url]
[customer 3] [customer 3 url]
[customer 4] [customer 4 url]
[customer 5] [customer 5 url]
Find Tradeshows to Attend & Exhibit In
Lastly, many industries feature tradeshows or conferences you can attend and exhibit in to connect with your ideal customers.
One important caveat here:
Tradeshows and conferences can cost a lot of money. If you plan to exhibit, it's worth the investment to hire a professional to help plan your booth β design, layout, and even how you'll attract and keep people in the booth.
Imagine spending $200K on your booth (rental, layout, design, loading, and setup) and not thinking about attracting and capturing leads while there.
Sadly, that's the case for most tradeshow exhibitors.
If you can't do it right, don't waste the money.
Try this prompt to find tradeshows that might work for you:
You are a marketing strategist who specializes in tradeshow marketing. Please provide me a list of tradeshows that would be beneficial for my business [business name] ([url]) to attend to meet my ideal customers. We are trying to attract customers like these:
[customer 1] [customer 1 url]
[customer 2] [customer 2 url]
[customer 3] [customer 3 url]
[customer 4] [customer 4 url]
[customer 5] [customer 5 url]
Analyze and Choose
There you have it.
Four prompts to help you find where your ideal customers spend their time.
An important caveat for you:
Don't just take ChatGPT's response at surface level!
- Check out the publications, associations, directories, and tradeshows it lists.
- See if your ideal customers actually attend, read, and trust them.
- Determine if joining makes sense for you
And please, please, PLEASE, don't just half-ass your way through it.
If you decide to list your business in a directory, fill out your listing completely. Share the right message. Create a landing page on your website to send people to. Consider some kind of free lead magnet and nurturing campaign directed to people who use that directory.
Remember β marketing only works when you provide a great experience.
Want to attract and convert more of your ideal customers?
βBuild an Onlyness Strategy.β
While your competitors are busy chasing customers, we can position you as the ONLY choice in the market.
Until next week,
#SassyJason out.
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