What is an Ideal Customer?
I see people referring to “ideal customers” or “ideal clients” all the time, yet I rarely see it the term clearly defined.
Before updating your website or rebranding your biz, the #1 question to answer is “Who is your ideal customer?”
But how can you find your ideal customers if you don’t know what you’re looking for?
Here’s one way to think of it:
Your ideal customers don’t need convincing…
they love what you do,
appreciate your work/artistry, and
all they need are a few details on how to officially book with you.
If you’re ever unsure about who your ideal customer really is, take a look at the customers that already love you–ideally, the ones that you love right back!–and try to identify the important qualities they have in common.
Click below to watch my video: Who is your ideal customer?
Qualities of an Ideal Customer:
- Ideal customers are more interested in finding out what it takes to book with you than how much you charge for a centerpiece.
- Ideal customers are quick to accept your proposal & sign a contract because they want what you’re selling!
- Ideal customers feel like you’re the right choice for them; they trust you!
Every floralpreneur has her/his own ideal customer depending on where you are in your business. The ideal client for a home-based florist who’s just starting out is different from the ideal client for an established florist with a full-time staff and 25 years of experience. It’s only natural that your ideal clients might change as your business matures.
Click for more: How do you prequalify customers?
More from Alison:
When I started my business, Floral Artistry, in 2002 I’d never heard the term “ideal customer”. As I often recount, “it was a simpler time“… back in the early 2000’s, without the power of Google and social media to help you hone your branding and reach your ideal customers (aka the clients who LOVE what you do).
You can gain a lot of clarity when you focus on the people you really want to work with; you’re not looking for just “anyone”.
The Takeaway
It’s not always easy to define who your ideal customers are and it can be particularly tricky when you have a wedding business where cultivating repeat business isn’t always in the cards.
Though the working relationship with a wedding client has a finite end, I strive to exceed expectations and choreograph a customer service experience that thrills and delights. Excellent service provides value and eliminates your competition.
Before you’ve built your brand to the point of attracting ideal clients, the concept of “customers that love you” may seem like a pie in the sky dream…just keep this in mind:
As you build an integrity brand with a website that represents who you are as a company/brand/designer you’ll find that ideal clients start finding you! (And they’re so happy that they found you.)
Identifying your ideal customers is a critical piece of your branding puzzle.
xo. -Alison
To find a full list of my course offerings click here.
