To improve targeting of promotions, which step should be done first?

To improve targeting of promotions, which step should be done first?

• A. Build a measurement plan
• B. Increase the promotional budget
• C. Define the target market
• D. Hire additional staff

Answer: (C)

Identifying who you’re trying to reach is the starting point for any effective promotion. When you know the target market, you can tailor messages, choose the right channels, and set goals that truly matter to that group. This gives directional clarity that makes all later steps—what you measure, how you allocate budget, and what staffing you need—much more effective. Without a defined audience, a measurement plan becomes generic, budgets can be wasted on channels that don’t reach the right people, and staffing decisions may not align with actual needs. In practice, you’d start by clarifying segments such as potential members, current members, and their interests or skill levels, and then build the plan around those insights.

Identifying who you’re trying to reach is the starting point for any effective promotion. When you know the target market, you can tailor messages, choose the right channels, and set goals that truly matter to that group. This gives directional clarity that makes all later steps—what you measure, how you allocate budget, and what staffing you need—much more effective. Without a defined audience, a measurement plan becomes generic, budgets can be wasted on channels that don’t reach the right people, and staffing decisions may not align with actual needs. In practice, you’d start by clarifying segments such as potential members, current members, and their interests or skill levels, and then build the plan around those insights.