How to Find Your Target Market as a New Freelancer

If you’ve decided to specialize in a niche as a new proofreader or editor, you might benefit from looking for a target market. This blog post will explain what a target market is and why it’s important to find (and understand) your target market as a freelancer.

What Is a Target Market?

When it comes to freelancing, your target market is the type of clients you want to work with. Choosing which clients to target as a freelancer can help you to:

• Earn a good reputation within that market
• Establish a plan for promoting yourself and your business
• Find clients more easily
• Charge higher rates

As a proofreader or editor, you could define your target market by the type of writing it produces, its budget, or a combination of other factors. Read on to learn how to identify your target market and find your ideal clients.

1. Evaluate What You Can Offer 

The market you choose to target will depend on the specialist skills, experience, and qualifications you have to offer. Write a list of all the hard and soft skills, work experience, training, and other useful qualities you possess. Try to be specific here – for example, rather than making a note of your “computer skills,” jot down the actual programs or software that you’re familiar with using.

Your target market should be the people who will benefit most from the services and skills you can provide. If you’re having trouble identifying who these people might be, ask yourself the following questions:

• What problems can I solve with my skills?
• Where might these problems occur?
• Who might be experiencing these problems?

For example, if you have experience in editing for SEO, then you would be able to solve issues relating to website traffic. Those most likely to be experiencing such issues are web-based business owners, so they could make up your target market.

You should also reflect on whether there are any skills or training you lack and whether this makes you unsuited to a specific market. This can help narrow down your potential audience or help you identify areas to improve in.

2. Narrow Down Your Market Further 

By now, you should have a general idea of the type of clients you want to target. You can refine your target market further by considering factors like:

• Age
• Budget
• Interests and hobbies
• Location (e.g., local or international)
• Language proficiency (e.g., fluent speakers or ESL writers)
• Writing experience (e.g., established authors or new self-published authors)

If you’ve decided you want to target fantasy authors, for example, this is a reasonably broad category. To find your audience more effectively, you might consider targeting self-published, ESL fantasy authors.

You could even narrow down your market by getting more specific with niche writing formats and genres – though you’ll want to make sure there’s enough of a demand for your services within these parameters.

3. Do Your Research

Now that you’ve identified your target market, you need to understand it. You’ll want to consider factors such as:

• The demand for your services:

Aim for too niche a market, and you might find that there isn’t enough of a demand to sustain your business. Conversely, by targeting a larger audience, there may be more competition from other freelancers for clients.

• How your competitors target that market:

Find other freelancers who target your ideal market and make a note of how they attract those clients. For example, are there particular keywords they use on their website? 

• The average budget in that market:

Research average rates for your chosen niche services. Keep in mind that certain demographics, such as students, may have a lower budget than others.

• Where you can find and contact your target market:

Are your target clients likely to have their own website? Do they use professional platforms like LinkedIn and Upwork? Are there events your target market is likely to attend? If your target market is unlikely to use online platforms or visit in-person events at all, you may find it difficult to connect with potential clients.

With a clear understanding of your target market’s needs and behaviors, you’ll soon learn how to find your ideal clients.

4. Reach Out to Your Target Audience

You should now have a firm idea of who your target market is, what they need, and how you can find them. All that’s left to do is make contact. You can reach out to your intended market by:

• Setting up a professional account on the online platforms they’re most likely to use
• Advertising in relevant publications, such as genre-specific newsletters
• Creating a website that targets your audience, such as by using keywords or sharing related articles
• Cold emailing potential clients
• Requesting reviews and testimonials from previous clients within your target market

You can use a combination of these methods to find clients, but remember that the specific techniques you use will depend on what you know about your target market.

Becoming a Proofreader or Editor

If you’re a new freelancer looking to specialize, our Becoming A Proofreader and Becoming An Editor courses can set you on the right track.

With our course bundle, you’ll get access to modules on academic, business, and creative writing, plus tips on the different services you can provide – as well as a guaranteed work offer to help you find your first clients!

Sign up for a free trial and take your first steps toward a freelance career.