8 Tips and Tricks for Creating Your Buyer Persona With No Customers

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By Tomislav

Key Takeaways

Leverage Online Tools: Combine online research, social media engagement, and online surveys to understand potential customer needs, interests, and trends.
Personal Network and Industry Insights: Utilize insights from friends and family, and gather data from trade shows, networking events, and competitor analysis to refine your buyer persona.
Analyze Digital Footprints: Use website traffic data and participate in online forums and discussion boards for deeper understanding and community engagement.

1. Conduct Online Research

Begin your journey by diving into online research to uncover your buyer persona.

Platforms like Facebook and X are excellent starting points.

Observe online conversations to grasp what potential customers seek and their interest in products or services.

Utilize search engines to explore questions related to your industry or product category.

Understanding your target audience’s needs and desires puts you in a strong position to market effectively when they become customers.

2. Seek Help from Friends and Family

Draft a list of questions relevant to your buyer persona, and don’t hesitate to involve friends and family for insights.

For inspiration, check out my article on 200 buyer persona questions.

Start with five people likely to be your customers.

Analyze their responses to identify trends or insights.

Revisit and refine your questions as needed, then approach another five individuals.

Repeat this cycle a few times until your buyer persona begins to emerge clearly.

3. Leverage Social Media for Information Gathering

Search on social media for recent purchasers of similar products or services.

Reach out to these potential customers to inquire about their needs and preferences.

Explore groups with shared interests using hashtags, joining groups, or following relevant subreddits.

Engaging with potential customers on social media enables you to gather essential data to define your buyer persona.

4. Try Online Surveys or Questionnaires

Another method is using online surveys or questionnaires.

These can be shared on social media or industry-related forums, or use platforms like SurveyMonkey for a broader reach.

Google Forms is also a valuable tool for surveys or questionnaires.

While not free, the insights gained can be invaluable.

Conduct these in small batches to evaluate results and adjust as needed.

5. Analyze Your Website’s Traffic Data (If You Have One)

If your website attracts traffic, you likely already have some customers.

For those without a website, Google Analytics offers key insights into your audience.

You can track which keywords bring people to your site, their visited pages, and their time spent on each page.

It also provides demographic information, like the visitor’s country and language.

Though it may seem basic, it’s an excellent starting point for limited options.

6. Analyze Your Competitor’s Social Media Accounts and Reviews

Gaining insights into your target market can also involve analyzing competitors’ social media and online reviews.

Examine their communication style and the feedback they receive to understand their customer base and their needs.

This research helps in identifying market gaps your products or services can fill.

So, studying your competitors can be eye-opening if you’re uncertain about your target market.

7. Attend Trade Shows and Networking Events

Industry trade shows and networking events are excellent sources for buyer persona insights.

At these events, you’ll find approachable people, including many peers and potential customers.

Consider bringing quick questionnaires or sending them via email to those you meet.

These events are also great for making valuable connections to jumpstart your business.

So, if you’re uncertain about your target market, embrace the opportunity to explore.

You might be surprised by the valuable insights you gain.

8. Explore Online Forums and Discussion Boards

Though not as popular as before, online forums and discussion boards are still relevant.

Participants are often highly engaged in the topics discussed.

Remember, these platforms have rules against using them solely for personal gain.

It’s wise to actively participate and contribute before asking for favors like survey responses.

Once you’re seen as a community member, people are more likely to assist.

Soon, you could have a wealth of information and potentially new customers.