When I ask my coaching clients to describe their ideal client as specifically as possible, the descriptions are still very vague. They are something like this:

These are very vague and speak to a general audience. Even once a client understands the need to target a very specific audience, they tend to speak to the group rather than an individual.

When my partner Joel coaches virtual assistants to define their ideal client, he helps them get very specific. Rather than targeting a general audience, we focus on targeting an individual.

Here are 3 simple ways to focus your marketing messages to an individual:

1. Write a detailed paragraph of your ideal client: their gender, age, occupation, likes, dislikes, family situation and other details.

2. Name your ideal client. Make this individual real to you.

3. Go find a picture of that ideal client in a magazine. Cut it out and post it where you can see it all the time.

When you get ready to send out marketing messages, look at that picture and see if the message will appeal to that ideal client.

Now that you've put a name and face to your ideal client, it will be much easier to target your audience and direct messages to the individuals that need your services.