December 2018 Applied Economics/2018-01pr

Target Market Identification and Data

Collection Methods
Kynda R. Curtis, Professor and Extension Specialist, Department of Applied Economics
Sierra Allen, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Department of Applied Economics

Introduction supplement it. The better a business defines their target

It’s critical for any business to identify their primary market the more effective they will be in developing a
consumer group, often referred to as the target market, as valuable product and in implementing a successful
well as understand the target market’s needs and wants promotion and marketing strategy. This fact sheet
when developing a new product or service or when provided information on how to define a target market
entering a new market outlet. Understanding the target for a product or service, followed by methods for
market is helpful not only in the product development collecting data on targeted consumer groups.
process, but also in the implementation of marketing
plans, and in the selection of appropriate sales outlets. A Defining a Target Market
detailed picture of the target market will assist in The first step in defining a target market is identifying its
implementing effective and targeted promotion, catering key characteristics such as demographics,
to most valuable customers, designing new products psychographics, and products or services the target
which serve customer needs, selecting appropriate market wants and values. Evaluating each dimension of
outlets for your products(s), and providing services and a consumer’s profile helps businesses identify the needs
support your market needs/demands or gaps in the market. A demographic profile includes a
customer’s age, location (state, county), gender,
A target market is comprised of customers that have a education level, income, children, marital status, etc. A
need for a specific product or service and are willing to psychographic profile describes the customer’s range of
pay a profitable price for it. Every target market has interests, hobbies and desires that influences their
unique characteristics that influence their choices as consumer choices. Knowing a customer’s psychographic
consumers. The demographics of a consumer describe profile is also helpful when selecting promotional
their age, education level, income, etc. Psychographics methods as some customers may be apt to use specific
include the hobbies, interests, and goals of the target magazines or publications, follow certain social media
market. It is also important to know the target market’s groups or participate in interest-specific online forums.
specific needs or preferences for a product, such as if it This information can be difficult to obtain but is critical
is organic, free-range or fair-trade (Kelley, 2016). There to understanding what customers care about regarding
are a number of methods that can assist businesses in product traits like sustainability, safety, health, fair trade
defining their target market(s). Primary research and worker-health.
methods include consumer surveys, pricing trials,
personal interviews, focus groups, etc. Secondary data Finally, it is important to know what kinds of products
provided by governmental agencies, consulting firms, or services the target market wants and values. For
etc. may take the place of primary data or further instance, small-farm producers should know what
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produce varieties their customers want, and if they have A consumer data collection plan might include both
any preferences regarding variety, packaging, delivery, primary and secondary data. The plan should be
location, ease of access, etc. Businesses can then move thoughtfully developed to make sure that all critical
forward in creating and pricing a product or service that information is collected and that the information is
satisfies the consumer’s needs. gathered in an efficient and effective way.

Consumer Data Collection If the business has existing consumers, consumer data
Collecting the information necessary to define a target can be collected through the following:
market can be difficult given the scope of the market and • Past transactions, orders, and communications
the amount of data needed to paint an accurate picture of • Online orders where name and contact info are
a specific population. Fortunately, a variety of survey provided, spending habits, user preferences, etc.
methods can assist in collecting information from • Surveys at purchase, online, at events, etc.
potential customers to create a target market profile. • Customer appreciation events, or “disguised focus
groups” where surveys may be conducted, or
Primary market research methods include surveying attendees can provide feedback on product samples,
potential or existing customers, conducting general consumer observations can be conducted, etc.
market assessment surveys, running product and/or • Competitions, where “To win” one must provide
pricing trials and researching competitors. Secondary contact info and a few other details such as
resources like the USDA, marketing firms and university demographics or interests, etc.
extension services have publications and data on past
market studies and consumer consumption history that Table 1 provides a list of information that could be
may be applicable (Curtis, Slocum, and Allen, 2015). collected and how it could be used by the business
owner.

Table 1: Information to collect on existing consumers

Customer information Application for business owner

Name and contact information -Market directly to customer about sales, new products, new varieties, etc.
-Personalize communications on mailings and invitations

Transaction history -Estimate value of customer to a company on an annual, monthly, weekly basis
(What products do they buy? How much -Determine specials or customer appreciation items that would be valuable to
and how often do they buy them?) customer

Record of communication and responses -Know customer’s preferred communication method (i.e. email versus phone call)
-Send appropriate frequency of track communication so customer is not overwhelmed
or annoyed by amount of contact

Demographic information (Age, location, -Send personalized birthday or anniversary cards with promotions or discounts
education, etc.)

Psychographic information -Select effective promotional channels and certification programs that are important
(Consumer interests, hobbies, concerns to the consumers
about health, food safety and the -Develop corporate responsibility initiatives that align with consumer preferences
environment)

Spending habits -Determine most effective product placing and pricing

(Thoughtful, impulsive or comparison -Determine how labeling, placement, price, ease of access influence consumer
shoppers) decisions

Customer or Market Assessment Surveys Surveys are the commonly used method to collect
For those business that don’t have an existing customer consumer data. The different types of surveys have their
base, general market assessment surveys may be the best own advantages and disadvantages, and thus the survey
way to collect data on potential consumers and identify a type chosen must best fit the consumer sample desired
target market for their new product or service. (Curtis, 2008). Below are considerations for various
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ways of conducting surveys. A summary of the completed faster than other survey types, are less
advantages and disadvantages for each method are expensive and results can be analyzed immediately.
provided in Table 2. Some survey providers can also ensure that
1. Telephone surveys are conducted by calling respondents answer all the questions and can even
individuals and asking them questions over the supply email listings of target audiences. Difficulties
phone. These surveys can be effective because the associated with internet surveys arise from the fact
interviewer is able to encourage the respondent to that the target group needs Internet access, thus
answer all the questions. Paying for telephone excluding some populations.
interviewers, however, is expensive and because of 4. Dot surveys or posters is a useful way to focus on
cell phones, people may ignore calls from unknown just a few important questions. They are conducted
numbers. by displaying a question (or several) with response
2. In-person interviews are administered face-to-face. categories and then asking respondents to place a
Similar to telephone surveys, interviewers can sticker, or dot, in the category that correlates with
encourage respondents to complete the full survey their response. Dot surveys are fun, visual
and ask additional follow-up questions to clarify and alternatives to written and oral surveys and their
expound on answers. In-person interviews are simplicity has been found to increase response rates
usually conducted in public places, making it easier compared to other survey types. Only a few
to target specific populations such as vegetable questions should be asked at a time, however, and
producers at farmers markets or mothers at grocery because respondents can see what other respondents
stores. A disadvantage to this method is that some have said, results may be skewed.
respondents feel uncomfortable revealing
information about themselves to strangers.
Additionally, permission is often required to conduct
interviews in public areas and paying interviewers
can be expensive.
3. Internet surveys are conducted through online
software. A letter, postcard or email is sent out
inviting respondents to take the survey. Internet
surveys can be advantageous because they can be

Table 2: Survey types with associated advantages and disadvantages

Survey Type Advantages Disadvantages

Telephone surveys- conducted -Respondents encouraged to answer all -Expensive

over the phone using questions -Difficult to generate random call lists
randomized call list -Responses can be analyzed immediately -Caller ID makes it easy for people to ignore
unknown numbers

In-person interviews- -Respondents encouraged to answer all -Expensive

administered face to face questions -Some respondents unwilling to reveal personal
-Results can be analyzed immediately information to strangers
-Specific populations can be targeted -Permission must be obtained to conduct
depending on location interviews in public places

Internet surveys- respondents -Easy, fast to complete -Some people don’t have internet access
are invited to complete an online -Less expensive -Some respondents may be uncomfortable
survey -Variety of software and providers for providing sensitive information online
specific needs
-Results can be analyzed immediately

Dot surveys- respondents place -Alternative to written and oral surveys -Can only ask a few questions at a time
dots under category correlated to -Easy, fast to complete -Respondents may be influenced by others’
their response -Increased response rates compared to responses
other methods

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Other Data Collection Methods followed by methods which can be used to collect data
Focus groups and observational studies are other on targeted consumer groups. Defining a target market is
research methods that allow businesses to more deeply the first step in any new production development plan. A
understand consumer behavior and decision-making. In target market is defined primary by consumer group
focus groups, a group of preselected target customers are demographics, psychographics, and general product
asked a set of questions to assist in facilitating a needs and wants. Businesses with a currently customer
discussion. Questions should explore the group’s base can use a variety of techniques to fully understand
motivations to buy certain products, specific concerns their customers and more easily asses their needs. For
and existing problems they see in the market. those businesses that do not have a current customer
base, collecting the needed data to identify a target
Observational studies focus on gaining immediate market can be cumbersome, but there are a number of
feedback through observing customers or asking for methods that can be employed depending on the data
comments. They gauge consumer reaction to new needed, collection budget, and time period. Consumer
products, flavors, packaging, product placement, etc. surveys are commonly used to collect consumer data but
These studies can be conducted in a variety of ways. can be expensive and time consuming to conduct for an
Examples of observational studies include: individual business. There are many governmental and
• Recording consumer behavior at grocery stores private agencies that publish consumer data, much of
(where they look on shelves, move around the store, which is free or provided at a low cost.
etc.)
• Offering free samples at farmers markets and asking References
for feedback Curtis, K., S. Slocum, and K. Allen, (2015). “Farm and
• Asking people to fill out comment cards about an Food Tourism: Exploring Opportunities.” Utah State
event or service University Extension Curriculum (Book, PowerPoint
Presentations, and Worksheets). Online at:
Secondary Data Resources http://diverseag.org/htm/farm-and-food-tourism.
Curtis, K.R., (2008). “Conducting Market Research
To supplement the methods described above,
Using Primary Data.” Chapter 7 of Niche Markets:
businesses may be able to use existing research or
Assessment & Strategy Development for Agriculture.
published studies using related data. Government
A publication of the Western Extension Marketing
statistics and reports, consumer expenditures, and reports
Committee, UCED publication 2007/08-13.
from trade associations, banks consumer panels and
Kelley, K., (2016), “Understanding Your Customers:
retail audits can be found online. The United States
How Demographics and Psychographics Can Help.”
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and university
Penn State University Extension. Online at:
Cooperative Extension have additional online databases
https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-your-
with extensive agribusiness-related research.
customers-how-demographics-and-psychographics-
can-help.
Conclusions
This fact sheet provides information on how a business
can define a target market for a new product or service,

This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2015-49200-24225.

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