Blog Post
Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Get Crystal Clear on Who Your Ideal Client is and How to Find Them
Darlene Hawley
Once you figure out exactly who you want to work with and where to find them you'll be able to start attracting clients and grow your brand and business.ients and grow your brand and business.
Get Crystal Clear on Who Your Ideal Client is and How to Find Them
Last month we discussed all about Uncovering Your Niche and today we’re diving into Ideal Client Clarity.
Once you figure out exactly who you want to work with and where to find them you'll be able to start attracting clients and grow your brand and business.
It all starts with YOU.
The best part of your starting your business was getting to create it in a way that feels good to you.
So many clients to come to me after having done ideal client avatars or other types of ideal client work and they are only focused on the client and what they need.
But let’s be real, they type of client you attract is important but mostly because it’s who you want to wake up each morning to help.
So grab out your journal and write out the answer to these two questions.
- Who do you want to work with?
- And who do you not want to work with?
I didn’t do this work in the beginning. I was told by a lot of mentors that it was important and I lightly did the work but never fully dove into it.
Mostly because ideal client clarity is the hard work and I wanted it to be easy.
It felt like it should be easy, but it wasn’t.
When I finally did the work it all changed
Remember you want to work with people you love working with, think of your favorite clients.
You wat to find more of them.
Let’s look at the demographic. Are they men, women, what’s their age, income level, family life, but you also need to go deeper into it and look at the psychographics. What do they desire, what are they struggling with, what keeps them up at night, do they have any special interests or habits.
I know for me the reason I didn’t want to do the ideal client work is that I was afraid I would lose out on making money or helping someone if I excluded anyone or that maybe I would hurt someone’s feeling if they didn’t feel included in the work that I was doing.
But it’s more important that you work with your dream client, the people that you’re meant to make an impact on.
When you’re clear with your messaging you’ll attract the right people and you’ll feel better about the legacy you’re leaving.
The cool thing is that your brand and business will grow with you as you develop and learn more. When I first started I only wanted to work with those just starting a business as it felt really comfortable for me but now as I’ve grown into who I am and who I am supposed to serve. I attract a lot of clients who have had their business for a bit but are not making the money that they want consistently and they are ready to take it to the next level.
Market Research
Once you know who you want to work with it’s time to get them on the phone or in a zoom room for some good old fashion market research.
Reach out to 5-10 past clients, current clients or friends that you know who are you’re perfect match ideal client and ask them if you can have 15 minutes of their time to interview them. Let them know you’re trying to get a better understand of your ideal client and you would appreciate some of their insight.
If you have an online community you could send out a survey in your group or in other groups that you network in. This will allow you to get more surveys completed without having to talk on the phone to as many people.
But and this is a big but. You have to be super clear in your messaging for who you want to complete your survey. When I started out I wanted moms who were working tons of hours in their corporate job and were missing out on taking their kids to sports activities or tucking them in at night and wanted to start a business. So get specific so you get the right kind of market research done.
Spice it up a little with offering them something for their time, like a free gift. It could be a free coaching session, free product, discount code, or a gift card to your favorite coffee shop.
I encourage you to always come back to this step every 90 days as you are always learning and growing and so are your ideal clients.
Now, what do you do with all of the information of who you want to work with and all of the market research interviews you’ve conducted.
You put it all together into your Ideal Client Profile
This is when you get to narrow it all down to 1 single person who you can imagine every time you sit down to create content.
Now you know who they are, where they work, what their name is and can talk to them in all of your marketing efforts.
If you’re ready to get crystal clear on who your ideal client is I encourage you to reach out for a free clarity call. I’ll send you the Ideal Client Profile I use with all of my clients and help you understand exactly how to take your business to the next level.
I offer 1:1 Executive Leadership & Business Coaching & Team Trainings! If you would like to explore what working together would look like, I invite you to submit an application.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Struggling with imposter syndrome even after years of success? Discover how leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs overcome self-doubt and confidently share their expertise, personal brand, and client results. In this post, learn proven strategies to showcase your achievements without feeling like you’re bragging, transform testimonials into credibility boosters, and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your industry. By embracing your unique value, you’ll strengthen your personal brand, inspire trust, and drive sustainable business growth—proving that your “big brain” belongs front and center in your leadership journey.
How Practicing Gratitude Can Recharge Leaders and Strengthen Business Connections
Struggling with poor workplace communication? Discover actionable strategies to improve clarity, confidence, and listening at our holiday-themed Leadership Roundtable for HR leaders and executives.
In this blog, we address practical strategies for overcoming nerves when speaking to senior or higher-titled audiences. Learn how to conquer imposter syndrome and boost your public speaking confidence when presenting to executives or experienced professionals. We explore common challenges, such as feeling unprepared, facing self-doubt, and managing industry jargon, and provide actionable tips to help you speak with authority, command respect, and leave a powerful impression. Ideal for women entrepreneurs, leaders, and emerging speakers looking to communicate confidently with high-level audiences.
Join Darlene Hawley in Episode 104 of the Attract and Stand Out podcast, featuring Brenda Barbour, co-host of the Body Wealth Podcast. In this episode, they discuss the power of storytelling in health advocacy, overcoming personal health challenges, and practical self-care strategies. Discover how Brenda's inspiring journey and community-focused approach support Black women’s mental and physical well-being. Learn tips for finding your health flow, setting boundaries, and taking action toward well-being. Tune in for an episode filled with resilience, inspiration, and actionable insights for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Learn how to handle tough criticism with confidence and turn feedback into a tool for growth. In this blog, we share practical strategies for embracing constructive criticism, separating your work from your worth, and building a growth mindset to strengthen your leadership skills. Discover how to respond thoughtfully to feedback and use it as a stepping stone to success.
Master Strategies for Staying Calm, Confident, and In Control When Facing Tough or Unexpected Questions in Business Meetings and Presentations
Learn practical strategies to overcome the fear of speaking up in high-stakes meetings and presentations. Discover how to manage public speaking anxiety, build confidence, and make a lasting impact with your voice in important professional situations
Unlock your flow state on demand with expert Diane Allen in this podcast episode, where we reveal top strategies for boosting productivity, overcoming creative blocks, and stepping into authentic leadership effortlessly.
