When starting a printing business, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is determining your target market or sometimes referred to as the target audience. Who will you be selling your printing services to? There are a few different ways to go about this.
You can target businesses, consumers, or a combination of both. Each has its own set of pros and cons.
You might be in the throws of creating your business plan or you might be an established printing service that is looking to expand; either way, you need to have a firm understanding of your target market segments so you can best promote your print business.
Let’s take a look at a few of the factors you’ll need to consider when making this decision.
What is the target market for a printing shop?
We know that the target market for a print business is people who need printing services. These can be both consumers and businesses. However, printing businesses can also target a specific market segment.
For example, some printing shops focus on printing marketing materials for small businesses.
Others may concentrate on printing wedding invitations or other special occasions. Still, others may provide printing services for schools and nonprofits.
The key is to identify the market segment that you want to target.
When determining your target markets, it’s essential to consider the type of customer that would be most beneficial for the printing industry.
First, take a look at what you provide. What services or products do you offer? Do you specialize in a specific type of printing such as big orders? Perhaps brochures, business cards, or invitations? Maybe you have specific products such as a classic photo book that you provide.
Once you have a good understanding of your print business’ offerings, you can narrow down who would be most interested in what you have to provide.
Once you understand what you offer, you can begin to think about the type of customer or end users that would benefit most from your services.
Consider various factors your ideal customer might have, such as:
- Location. Where is your printing business located? If you’re in a city, you’ll likely have a different target market than in a rural area.
- Age. Are you targeting a younger demographic or an older one? If your ideal customer is a teenager, you’ll likely use different marketing techniques than if your target market is middle-aged adults.
- Gender. Do men or women tend to use your printing services more often? This can help you determine the type of language and images you use in your marketing.
- Income level. This is another crucial factor to consider when determining your target market. If your printing services are more expensive, you’ll likely be targeting a higher income bracket.
- Interests. What are your ideal customers interested in? If you offer printing services for businesses, you’ll want to target individuals interested in business and marketing.
Once you have a good idea of your ideal customer, you can begin to tailor your marketing efforts to reach them.
Research your competition.
Now that you have a good idea of who your target market is, it’s time to research your competition.
By understanding who your competitors are targeting and how they’re marketing their print business, you can better position yourself in the market.
To research your competition, start by looking at their website and social media presence. See what type of language and images they’re using. Are they targeting the same market as you or a different one?
You can also look at online reviews to see what customers say about your competition. Look for patterns in the feedback to see what people like and don’t like about their printing services.
Finally, you can also talk to your potential customers directly to get their thoughts on your competition. Ask them what they like and don’t like about the printing companies they’ve used in the past.
By taking the time to research your competition, you can better understand how to position your printing shop in the market.
What needs does this target market have that your printing business can fulfill?
You’ve looked at who your ideal customer is and scoped out the competition, so now it’s time to think about what needs your target market has that your printing business can fulfill.
Do they need printing services that are quick and easy? Do they need high-quality printing services? Are they looking for a printing business specializing in a specific type of printing?
Consider the needs of your target market and how your printing business can meet them. Then, you can start to craft your marketing message to appeal to this market.
By understanding the needs of your target market and how your print shop can fulfill them, you can create a marketing strategy that will attract new customers while meeting the increased demands of your current customers.
How do print businesses get new customers?
Now we’re getting into the marketing. How do you plan to reach your target market and attract customers?
Some printing businesses use traditional marketing techniques, such as print advertising and direct mail. Others focus on digital marketing, such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and email marketing. These various marketing channels can be used to reach your target market in different ways.
How to reach your target market will likely depend on who they are.
For example, if your target market is businesses, you’ll probably want to focus on digital marketing since that’s where they’re spending most of their time. This might include large companies or local businesses.
However, if your target market is individuals such as consumers, you may want to use a mix of traditional and digital marketing techniques. Throw in some social media marketing since many individuals are are platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
The printing industry is vast so it really depends on what type of print sales you do. The target market for printers can range greatly from demographics and locations.
Maybe you do large volume printing, non paper printing, company logos, printed merchandise, promotional materials, or t-shirt printing, you’ll have to develop marketing strategies that speak to your target audience.
No matter what type of marketing you choose, make sure you’re using the right keywords and language to reach your target market. After all, you need to develop marketing strategies that put you above your competitors.
What are the unique selling points of your printing business?
There are other printing businesses out there, so what makes yours different? What are your unique selling points? How do you provide your clients and customers a competitive advantage?
Your unique selling points could be anything from your printing quality to your customer service to your quick turnaround times. Maybe your known to most businesses as having decent quality printed merchandise.
Whatever sets your printing business apart from the competition, make sure you’re highlighting it in your marketing.
By understanding what makes your printing business unique, you can build your brand and create a marketing strategy that will appeal to your target market and help you stand out from the competition.
Don’t focus only on the services you provide but also on the benefits your customers will receive. For example, if you offer quick turnaround times, highlight how that will benefit your customer by meeting their deadlines. For fantastic quality, you can focus on how your printing will make your business look more professional.
Remember, your unique selling points will make your printing business stand out from the competition, so make sure you’re using them to your advantage.
By understanding your target market and their needs, you can position your printing business as the solution to their problems. With the right marketing strategy, you can attract potential customers and grow your printing business.
Determining your target market is essential for businesses in the printing industry, especially if you want to grow your business. You need to know who you’re targeting to create marketing materials around your products and services that appeal to them.
You also need to understand what needs this market has that your printing business can fulfill.
By focusing on the needs of your potential customers through market research and highlighting your unique selling points, you can create a marketing strategy that will attract new business.
As you begin to attract new customers you’ll crush the other printing companies and begin to increase profits.