Many a business owner or entrepreneur struggles to attract and retain the right customers.

On the surface they have wonderful copy, cool designs, awesome offers… but something’s not gelling.

If you’re one of them, you might be missing a crucial element in your marketing strategy: a clear and detailed image of your ideal client (or customer) avatar.

Defining your ideal client avatar is like painting a portrait of your perfect customer. By understanding their characteristics, interests, values, and preferences, tailoring your marketing messages and offers to meet their needs and desires becomes way easier.

But Anna, how do I create this image?

Fear not, I’ve got you covered! Let me guide you through 10 questions that will help you create a clear and inspiring picture of your ideal client avatar.

(This is where you whisk out your fancy notebook, colored pens, and favorite drink 🍹)

QUICK HACK: If you’re really strapped for time, scroll down to question 5 and begin with your ideal customer’s ultimate desire. But do come back to the other questions later to paint the full picture. Deal?

Ready? Let’s go!

1. Who are they?

The first step in creating your ideal client avatar is to identify who they are. What is their age range, gender, occupation, and income level? Where do they live, and what is their level of education? Don’t just guess! Find the statistics. Google. Search for and join relevant Facebook groups. By answering these questions, you will create a basic profile of your ideal client.

2. What are their interests and hobbies?

Next, think about what your ideal client likes to do in their free time. Do they have any hobbies, interests, or passions? Understanding what they enjoy can help you create marketing messages that resonate with them. Again, use the internet and relevant social platforms to actually find out. If you already have an audience, ask them! This shows you’re interested in getting to know them on a personal level. Make sure you also share a hobby or interest of someone in your business — a great way to help your audience get to know you better.

3. What are their values and beliefs?

Your ideal client’s values and beliefs can also inform your marketing strategy. What do they care about, and what motivates them to take action? Equally, do they have limiting beliefs that your business can help then overcome? By understanding their worldview, you can create messaging that aligns with their values.

4. What are their pain points and challenges?

No one is perfect, and your ideal client is no exception. What challenges do they face in their life or work? What problems do they need solutions for? Understanding their pain points can help you create or tweak products or services that meet their needs.

5. What is their ultimate desire?

On the flip side, what are your ideal client’s dreams and aspirations — their ultimate desire? What do they want to achieve in their life or work? By understanding their goals, you can create messaging that inspires them to take action. In fact, your ideal client’s ultimate desire is a great place to build your messaging from, as it will be a magnetic source of attraction to them. (In most cases, speaking to someone’s dreams and desires is a much easier sell than than speaking to their pains and problems. But there are exceptions.)

6. What motivates them to buy?

What drives your ideal client to make a purchase? Is it convenience, quality, price, or something else? Understanding their buying motivation can help you create offers that appeal to them.

7. What are their objections to buying?

Of course, not every client will be a perfect fit for your product or service. What objections might your ideal client have to making a purchase? What concerns do they need to overcome before they buy? For example, will they believe what you offer is too expensive, too time consuming, or too difficult to understand, use, or master? Understanding their objections can help you create messaging that addresses their concerns.

8. What are their preferred communication channels?

How does your ideal client like to receive information and communicate? Do they prefer email, social media, phone calls, or something else? Understanding their preferred communication channels can help you create marketing campaigns that reach them where they are.

9. What are their buying habits?

What is your ideal client’s buying process like? Do they research extensively before making a purchase, or are they impulsive buyers? Understanding their buying habits can help you create offers and promotions that fit their needs.

10. What are their favorite brands?

Finally, think about the brands and products that your ideal client already loves. What do they appreciate about those brands, and how can you incorporate those elements into your own marketing?

By answering these questions, you can create a clear and inspiring image of your ideal client avatar. With this knowledge, you can create marketing campaigns that resonate with your perfect customer and help your business thrive. So go ahead, paint that portrait, frame the messaging, and watch your business scale!

The short version: To attract and retain the right customers, business owners and entrepreneurs need to have a clear image of their ideal client avatar. By defining characteristics such as age, interests, values, pain points, ultimate desires, buying motivations, communication channels, buying habits, and favorite brands, they can tailor their marketing messages and offers to meet their customers’ needs and desires. By creating a portrait of their perfect customer, business owners can create marketing campaigns that resonate with their audience and help their businesses thrive.