Starting a Business: Why Audience Comes First
Welcome back, dads! I’m thrilled you’ve joined me as we kick off a fresh year. The start of a new year is like a beautiful sunrise, full of promise and new opportunities. This year, I’m excited to take you along on my journey to building a $10,000-a-month business as a dad. The purpose of this channel is to create a community where we can share our experiences as dads navigating the business world.
Where to Begin: Audience First
If you’re thinking about starting a business, the first thing to understand is that ideas and products don’t matter as much as you might think. Yes, we hear stories of million-dollar ideas and massive startups, but the truth is, ideas and products are only valuable if you have an audience to sell them to. That’s why the most important thing to focus on is your audience.
So, how do you start with the audience in mind? Let me walk you through the process I used to create this channel.
Finding Your Niche
The first step is to figure out what niche you want to focus on. In my case, I’m passionate about business and startups, and I wanted to create a channel around that. But simply talking about business wasn’t enough. The business niche on YouTube is vast, with a lot of competition. I needed to narrow it down further.
That’s when I reflected on my own situation. I have a 9-to-5 job, I’m becoming a dad, and I have limited time to work on a startup. My primary motivation is being a dad and focusing on my family. This led me to the idea of creating a channel specifically for dads who are also interested in starting a business. And that’s how Startup for Dads was born.
Understanding Your Audience
Once you’ve identified your niche, the next step is to understand your audience. In this case, my audience is dads like me who want to balance family life with building a business. Because I’m speaking from my own experiences and addressing issues that matter to me, I’m able to connect with an audience that likely shares similar concerns.
However, in another niche I’m involved in—outdoor activities—my audience is different. There, I’m more of an expert, while my audience consists of newcomers. To serve them well, I have to put myself in their shoes and think about what they want to know, not just what I’m interested in.
Developing a Product
Only after you’ve identified your niche and understood your audience should you start thinking about product development. By observing your audience, you can identify common problems and challenges they face. People are willing to pay for solutions to their problems, especially if those problems cause them significant pain or frustration.
The better you know your audience, the more effectively you can create products that meet their needs. That’s why I believe it’s unwise to start with a product idea. Instead, start with your audience, and the product will follow naturally.
The Key Takeaway: Audience First
To sum it up, if you’re thinking about starting a business in 2023, begin with your audience. Focus on understanding their needs and problems, and the rest—product, market, and success—will follow. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this approach, so please leave your comments below. I look forward to hearing your feedback and welcoming you back for more insights as we navigate this journey together.
