A perfect example is our app, Doodle Bright. When the idea originated, the iPad had not even launched – I was using a wooden prototype to draw and test ideas. The problem is we identified our initial target audience as previous Lite Brite users, a novelty, retro app that adults who enjoyed the original toy would buy. Right, but mostly WRONG. Those people were buying the app, but they were buying it for their kids! If we had taken a week or two to poll the idea for the true target audience we would have very quickly narrowed down a very concise and targeted plan around:
- Price
- Upsell
- Design
- Interaction
- Marketing
Notice how knowing information about your audience touches many pieces of the product development? It doesn’t just impact marketing. It it a critical piece of the entire process.Source: http://mobile.tutsplus.com/tutorials/mobile-design-tutorials/iphone-design-101-understanding-your-apps-target-audience/
My Case
Using a number of questions found from the above source, I have answered them to help build a case for my target audience. Doing will help me target the app' I'm designing at the right people.
Are they male/female? Male
How old are they? 20-50
Where do they live? US, UK and other English spoken countries
Do they have children? They could have
Are they married? They could be
Where are they when they use the app? At home
Do they love a competitive app? Why? -
What do they do? Student, Businessperson
What do they have in common? An interest in the world
Why are they interested in the topic? Because it's a world changing topic
Who are they trying to impress? Other intellectuals, perhaps
Who impresses them? Engineers, Doctors and Scientists
What are their biggest fears? Being an entity in one of these stories
What are their biggest hopes? To have their questions answered
What Internet tools do they use most every day? News
What Internet tools do they not use ever? Games
What drives my target to make decisions? The possibility of change
Can they afford my app? Yes
Can I reach them with my app? Are they accessible? Yes
Are there enough people in your target to be profitable? Yes
How does your idea resonate with your audience on an emotional level? Definately
Do you need to break your target up into niches? No, but perhaps two; Consipracists and Followers