Why defining your target audience matters

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Someone recently told me a story about Prince, early in his career, getting a gig as opener for The Rolling Stones.

This was at a time when The Rolling Stones were uber-famous, of course, and nobody had yet heard of Prince.

So he comes out on stage in nothing but a trench coat and black panties and does his Prince thing, and the Rolling Stones fans — they booed him off the stage!

Why? Wrong audience.

Obviously, Prince is one of the most talented artists on earth. The Rolling Stones are great too. But each thrives in their particular bubbles.

Just make sure you’re not trying to do your Prince thing in a Rolling Stones bubble.

The other cool thing about that story — while most people in Prince’s position at that time might feel dejected and give up…

Or try to change their act to appeal to more people…

Prince decided he’d just go out and build his own audience who loved him for doing his Prince thing.

That’s how to make it in business, too. Don’t try to appeal to the masses that only go to music festivals for the headliners. When you’re first starting out, be that indie band that has like fifteen fans dressed just like you going wild on the tiny side stage.

Need help? Here’s some ideas to get you started figuring out who your target audience is.

StrategySarah Harrison