Are You Talking to the Right Audience? Here’s How to Tell

Ever feel like you’re connecting with everyone but getting nowhere? Here are 3 ways to tell if you’re talking to the right audience.

There’s a certain rhythm to a good networking event—the hum of conversation, the shuffle of business cards, the quick laugh when you run into someone you know.

I remember one event in particular, years ago, that had that energy from the moment I walked in. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with a hint of cologne and the faint sweetness of pastries at the refreshment table. People leaned in close to talk over the chatter, and the air buzzed with possibility.

I spotted someone new to the group, and within moments we were deep in conversation. We traded favorite lunch spots, swapped social media horror stories, and even pulled out our pet photos. I left my coffee on a table somewhere because I didn’t want to break the flow.

As our conversation ended and I took my seat, a quiet thought settled in—almost like an aftertaste:

This person was never going to become a client.

Not because they didn’t like me. Not because they didn’t believe in what I do.

Simply because, with a fully capable in-house media team, they didn’t need our services.

And yet, I’d spent a good portion of that evening—and so many other events just like it—connecting with people who were never going to hire me.

Now, don’t get me wrong: I genuinely value those relationships. They’ve grown into the friendships I cherish most today. I never regret the time spent building these very real and very genuine connections. They make my life richer and my heart fuller. But at the same time … I still needed bookings. 

In that moment, something shifted.

If I wanted my business to grow, I needed to create a more intentional strategy for those moments when I was actively networking. Otherwise, I’d keep showing up in “friend mode” and forever avoid the discomfort of stepping into “business owner mode.” 

That realization changed everything. Because from that day forward, I knew I needed a strategy that helped me distinguish when I was simply showing up socially—and when I needed to engage with purpose.

When “More” Isn’t Better

For years, our focus was on reaching more people: more business cards in the drawer, more eyes on posts, more names in the inbox. And on the surface, it looked like it was working. As long as we were connecting with new people, we felt like we were moving in the right direction.

But after a while, we started to notice a disconnect. All those conversations, all that visibility—it wasn’t turning into the kind of leads we needed. We were casting a wide net, and while it brought in lots of attention, it didn’t always bring in prospects.

That’s when it clicked: more doesn’t always mean better.

It’s like giving a passionate, heartfelt speech to a packed room … but you’re speaking the wrong language. No matter how sincere or powerful the message is, it’s just not going to land. 

And in marketing, if it doesn’t land, it doesn’t convert.

3 Signs You’re Not Talking to the Right Audience

Marketing, at its heart, is just a bigger version of a networking event. You can speak to as many people as possible, or you can focus your energy on the ones who truly understand—and need—what you offer.

Whether you’re meeting face-to-face or showing up online, knowing your audience is what turns a great conversation into a meaningful opportunity.

Here are three signs your message might be falling on the wrong ears:

1. Lots of likes, but few real leads

If you’ve ever had a post take off—reactions rolling in, comments stacking up—but your phone stays silent, you’re not alone. That’s reach without relevance.

Online engagement is great, but not all attention is created equal. It’s the difference between making people smile … and actually meeting someone who’s ready to take action.

A quick audience audit can make a world of difference. Who’s following you? Who’s engaging? And most importantly, how many are converting into leads or clients?

2. Plenty of interest … in the wrong services

Sometimes, your inbox is full—but the questions are all about pricing, services you don’t offer, or requests that simply don’t align with your brand.

When this has happened to us, it’s usually because our marketing materials were sending mixed signals. Maybe we sent family portrait promos to corporate executives. Or an old blog post that still ranks high on Google is drawing in a completely different audience than the one we serve today.

Take a moment to look at your brand from the outside in. What does someone new see when they land on your page? What might be confusing or outdated? A few simple shifts—like updating visuals, messaging, or even hashtags—can help recalibrate your message to align with your true audience.

3. Great conversations that go nowhere

Networking events and coffee meetups can be full of great people, but if the conversations never lead to a next step, you might be chatting with folks who aren’t in a position to hire, or don’t need what you offer right now.

Some of the best connections are the ones where there’s a natural next step. If that opportunity rarely comes up, it might be time to adjust your approach—without losing the friendships you’ve built along the way.

Finding an Eager Audience

Refining your audience doesn’t mean closing doors—it means opening the right ones.

When your message is aimed at the people who actually need what you offer, everything clicks into place. The conversations. The content. Even the follow-ups feel easier.

And here’s the truth: We’ve gotten this wrong more than once. We’ve run ads that reached the wrong people. We’ve created content that attracted an audience we didn’t actually serve. And yes—we’ve spent more networking events than we’d like to admit just chatting in the corner with our favorite people.

But each time, the fix was the same:
Get clear on who we’re really talking to.
Then build a strategy that helps us connect with them intentionally.

Use Our Favorite Audience Tool

If you’re ready to recalibrate without all the trial and error, we’ve got you covered.

We created a simple workbook that walks you through the exact process we use to identify and connect with your ideal audience—so you can focus on building relationships with the people who are already looking for what you do.

Because when you stop trying to speak to everyone, you finally make space to truly connect with the ones who matter most.

👉 Grab your copy of the workbook here, and start finding your right crowd today.

Marketing Strategy With SchlickArt 

At SchlickArt, we believe the best marketing strategies start with real conversations, honest goals and a deep understanding of your unique business. That’s why our approach to strategy goes far beyond spreadsheets and surface-level planning. We take the time to get to know you—your story, your values and the vision driving your work—so we can craft a plan that not only performs but feels right every step of the way.

Whether you’re scaling your business, launching a new offer or simply ready to take the guesswork out of your content, our strategy services are designed to bring clarity, purpose and momentum to your marketing. From high-level consulting and quarterly planning sessions to detailed content calendars and brand messaging, we offer tailored support that meets you where you are—and grows with you.

If you’re looking for a strategic partner who listens closely, thinks creatively and plans intentionally, we’re here to help. Let’s map out a marketing strategy that reflects your goals, supports your team and tells your story with impact.

About SchlickArt 

SchlickArt, a luxury visual marketing company based in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy–rather than a product, service or person–SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting fractional CMO, business and strategy planning, professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt. 

Kirsten Quinn

A lover of strong coffee and yellowed pages, Kirsten Quinn-Smith is a professional content writer and owner of WordSmith Content Marketing here in Santa Clarita. She believes great content can forge a loyal, authentic and beneficial relationship between you and your audience – and grow your business. With each piece of writing, Kirsten's goal is to position you in the content spotlight through audience-centered, strategy-based writing that actually sounds like you. Why? Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

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