Here’s Why I Don’t Worry About My Ideal Client Avatar – And What I do Instead!

Here’s Why I Don’t Worry About My Ideal Client Avatar – And What I do Instead!

Are you feeling trapped by the pressure to define a super-specific ideal client avatar? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of being forced into a marketing box that doesn’t quite fit. But what if there’s a different approach? What if your ideal clients aren’t defined solely by demographics, but by shared values and worldviews? And what if instead of focusing so much on your ideal client avatar, you started with yourself, brought more of you to your marketing, and then organically resonate with your ideal clients?

Beyond Demographics: From Ideal Client Avatar to Focusing on Worldview

Instead of fixating on traditional demographics of your ideal client avatar, like age, income, or job title, consider focusing on your ideal clients’ worldview. What do they believe in? What are their values? What are they passionate about?

For example, a school director and a parent might seem like very different client personas. However, if they both value alternative healing and mindfulness, they share a common worldview. This shared perspective becomes your “niche,” allowing you to connect with them on a deeper level through your marketing.

Making Your Ideal Client Avatar Resonate With Your Worldview

Your marketing should flow naturally if you’re passionate about your business and bring all of yourself to it. If it doesn’t, you might be doing things that aren’t aligned with who you are, or your offering may no longer reflect your true self.

To make your worldview resonate with your ideal client avatar:

1. Define what you honestly care about
2. Identify what you’d like to change in the world if you had to focus on one thing
3. Share your beliefs and values in your marketing

By sharing your worldview, you’ll resonate with people who care about the same things, making your collaborations more enjoyable and meaningful.

Three steps to resonate with your Ideal Client (Avatar):

1. Find Your Authentic Self First

Before you can find your people, you need to know yourself. This involves:

1. Reflecting on your values and beliefs
2. Exploring your genuine interests and passions
3. Defining your version of success
4. Understanding how you’re wired (through personality assessments)
5. Listening to your body and intuition

2. Bring More of You to Your Marketing

Once you’ve discovered who you are, it’s time to share more of yourself in your marketing:

1. Tell your stories: Use storytelling to create meaning and connections with your audience
2. Show vulnerability: Share your struggles and challenges honestly to build deeper connections
3. Be transparent: Provide clear and truthful information in all communications
4. Blur the lines between personal and professional: Show up as your whole self, not just a “business owner”
5. Embrace your spiritual side if it’s part of who you are1

3. Be Selective About Your Ecosystem

Instead of focusing on growing a massive audience, be selective about who you let into your business ecosystem. Choose to collaborate with people and platforms that align with your values and worldview. This approach will help you attract the right clients and create more meaningful connections.

By shifting your focus from rigid demographics and ideal client avatars to shared values and worldviews, you can create a more flexible and authentic approach to defining your niche. This allows you to serve a diverse range of clients while still maintaining a clear and compelling message that resonates with the right people.

Remember, the goal isn’t to appeal to everyone, but to find and connect with your people – those who share your values, understand your message, and appreciate what you have to offer with a similar worldview, rather than just focusing on a specific demographic. What really matters here? The human and the worldview and the openness to think differently.

Other Resources You Might Enjoy

Blog post: Find Your People in Business: A Guide for Entrepreneurs

Blog post: I’m Struggling to Find My Niche – Here’s a Different Approach

Blog post: Unlocking the Power of Human Marketing: Strategies for Success

Blog post: Authentic Relationships: How to Be Human in Business

Podcasts

Podcast: Niching Down: But I have Several Ideal Clients

Podcast: Conversations about the 7Ps of Marketing with Penney Peirce, Clairvoyant (recorded in June 2020, when Humane Marketing was still called Gentle Marketing)

Podcast: The Humane Marketing Podcast, conversations with guests, organized around the 7Ps of Humane Marketing

Downloads

• The Humane Marketing Glossary: Humane Marketing Words we love
• Manifesto: The Humane Business Manifesto (no opt-in)
• Creed: The Humane Marketing Creed (no opt-in)
• The One-Page Marketing Plan (email opt-in)

Books

• Find Your People, Jennie Allen 
• Lingo, Jeffrey Shaw
• Transparency, Penney Peirce
• Marketing Like We’re Human, Sarah Santacroce
• Selling Like We’re Human, Sarah Santacroce

Community

The Humane Marketing Circle is our community of Humane Marketers.