Is it possible that we do not connect well with our prospects and clients if we do not know a little bit about their daily life experiences? I got to thinking about this after one of my mastermind partners made a comment about watching television. She said that she watches a few popular shows sometimes, just so she will understand the references that are made. This makes a lot of sense.

I was a classroom teacher for many years. I taught various grade levels during that time, all the way from Kindergarten through high school. I would always immerse myself in the culture of the age group I was dealing with, and it made me better able to relate to my students. They never had to explain jokes to me, and sometimes I was the one who started the conversation. One of our favorites was the show ‘Super Nanny’. When one of my fifth graders would not stop talking, I asked him if he needed to spend a few minutes in the naughty chair. It brought us all closer together.

What are your prospects doing in their spare time? Is there a magazine you could be reading or a forum you could visit to make sure you are in the loop? Think about how you can better connect with your target market by knowing more of what they care about.

Many times we feel that politicians do not understand us and can’t make the big decisions for us because they do not walk in our shoes. I have felt that way about healthcare. While I was teaching in the classroom I felt that the administrators working in the office building downtown could not relate to what I was going through because they had not been in the classroom for so many years. I believe the same can be true in our businesses on the Internet.

When people first signed up for your list, they were looking for specific information or an answer to their problem. As new marketers you tend to forget why someone originally signed up on your list, or you may change your message over the first few months.

Be as specific as possible when you are asking someone to opt in to your list. Find out exactly what they want and expect from you and then deliver it to them. Ask yourself who your target audience is and what your USP (unique selling proposition) will be.

As long as you stay focused on your niche and your market you will find that people want to hear from you on a regular basis and want to do business with you as well.