Identifying the Target Audience 

Prior to beginning work on this discussion forum,

• Read Chapter 4: Finding Solutions and Gaining Support of the course textbook One Step at a Time: A Roadmap for Problem Solving & Making a Difference.
• Read A Closer Look: Week 4: Identifying the Target Audience.

Examining the audience demographics and psychographics can help formulate an approach that will help your audience know what the problem is, have empathy for the problem, and ultimately become part of the potential solution. In this discussion forum, you will identify individuals and/or groups who are interested in the problem, people who should be interested in the problem, and people who can be part of the potential solution.

In your discussion post,

• Restate your problem statement.
• Describe the predicted demographics of your target audience based on the context of the problem, the environment, and your prior research. Include as many of the following details as you can identify:
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Culture
  • Religious beliefs
  • Education level
  • Occupation
• Describe the possible psychographic concerns your target audience may have. Consider the following:
  • Preexisting ideas about the issue.
  • Personal or group biases.
  • Prior experiences with the issue.
• Based on possible psychographic concerns you find, formulate a communication plan based on what you want your audience to know about the problem. As stated in the course textbook,
  • Know is to create a persuasive message that is informative and fact-based from the data collected about the problem.
  • Feel is to influence the audience’s emotions by appealing to their interests, passions, and concerns.

Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 150 words and is due on Day 3 (Thursday).