Target Audience Research - Who are they and what are their needs?

With a desired target audience already set in mind I decided it would be most appropriate for me and the construction of my task, that I devised a list of features/characteristics in common that the majority of my readers should share in regards to what they would exhibit to allow them to identify with my music magazine :

. Be interested in alternative/rock or indie sub genres of music
. Will be categorised from the ages of onset between 18-25 years of age
. Both genders (male and female) will be appealed to as the content of the magazine focuses on artists that interest both sexes
. Will be able to understand the meanings behind lyrics and the interviews of the musicians themselves therefore they must be in an age category that allows them to interpret and compute subversive vocabulary and complex discussions.
. The intended audience must be able to afford the price range of the product - too high and they would be discouraged, too low and it may possible attract the incorrect members of the general public I am not intentionally appealing to.
. They may attend music festivals, gigs or live events revolving around this specific genre or may just enjoy them for the socialising aspect.

A typical stereotyped indie music fan is perceived to look like this...

However despite popular assumptions, generally the average indie/alternative rock music lover can some what been seen as...

This genre doesn't specifically intend to draw in a stereotyped response with only certain people drawn in based entirely on their appearance, in fact many individuals enjoy the alternative rock/indie sub culture yet lead perfectly average live with normal interests and occupations. They can range from students, full time employees and even housewives! With a broad range of different audiences in mind it would be most beneficial for me to consider the requirements I will need to conform to keep them sated and intrigued by my product.

Since I was generating the majority of my inspiration from 'Q' magazine (as they heavily focus upon alternative rock for the vast consistency of their articles) I delved into their publication to understand the nature of the audience they were designated to target - this would benefit me greatly in grasping how to attend to my own readers as both my publication and 'Q' soley aim to engage with the same audience specifics and people of society.

In a statement from Bauer media who distribute the 'Q' products it was stated that they prefer to aim for an older audience of 20-25 as they believe the adult music fan database is commonly excluded as an audience by many other mainstream companies (such as 'NME') Therefore it would be in my interest to confer to this idea, since both of our audiences are similar in age range and as I'm basing my magazine off the ideas of 'Q', it would be more realistic if I conformed to their specifications as I know it will allow me to appeal to my target readers as closely as possible. Q commented further in saying that because they operate on a older audience terms basis it gives them the opportunity to increase the marketing price of the product as it will be more affordable to them in comparison with the younger generation as they will be generating a higher income then the average teenager. On this basis raising the price of my own music component not only gives me the advantage of including a greater variety of articles to attract interest but prevents younger audiences from purchasing, in this instance I have an increased chance of gaining more attention from my desired audience (18-25). Furthermore a higher price will bygot advantageous qualities to my magazine company as a larger profit would be achieved as opposed to if the production was at a cheaper value.

An important thought to consider here is that my magazine will only be appealing to an niche audience - ones that are specifically interested in music as to regards to other areas (such as fashion, motoring etc), it is important to consider the notion that in order to please the specifics this reading public requires that I understandably do not deviate from the music theme. This would cause a lack of continuity in my product and would deter the audience from engaging as it would create the impression this will not be an entirely focused production on music. In conclusion it will be sensible to focus 100% on producing a authentic music magazine that contains all the generics to attract my desired public and not discourage them from buying in any such manner. Effectively 'Q' portray their product in a fashion as to be had that the wider audience can instantly recognise they are visually engaging with a music magazine purely from the cover, some of 'Q's' most noticeable traditions include a largely proportionate image of a famous music artist on the cover, headlines that incorporate names of recognisable bands/solo artists in their titles, 'Top 100 top music tracks of the century' headlines etc and various music review references. All of these conventions can be identified in the image inserted below

As can be identified from this specific issue of 'Q', all of the major conventions I listed can be easily identified - there are many reknowned artists names on the cover (e.g Lady Gaga, Jay-Z), there are hints to new upcoming artists in the bottom right hand corner ('Brand on Flowers') and there is an icon indicating there is '42 pages worth if reviews' in the publication itself. All of these traits give the impression to the audience they will be reading an authentic music magazine with no discrepincies on the subject matter.

With what I have seen taken in mind, in order to specifically target my exclusively niche audience and to gain general reader appeal in general I believe it to be vitally important to utilise the elements I have seen used in 'Q' to create potentially a very believable product that takes into consideration the basic requirements of the audience to suit their needs.