Have you ever had a week where one of your posts goes completely gangbusters, and the next sinks without a trace? Don't worry, you aren't cursed, and the algorithm isn't out to get you. Hit-and-miss content usually comes down to a lack of clarity about who we are talking to. When we don't fully understand our audience, our message lands by accident instead of with clear intention.
In this episode of the Talk podcast, I'm sharing three simple, practical, and fast tests that I use with my clients to strip away the guesswork and build real connection. You don't need expensive surveys or a PhD in analytics to gain deep audience insights. You just need a few intentional moments of listening and observing.
The best place to start is by looking at what is already resonating with your audience. Audit your content from the last two to four weeks, or even the last two to three months, and look for specific signals:
Public Reactions: What got people commenting, sharing, or starting conversations?
Private and Quiet Signals: What did people save, rewatch, or message you about privately? Some of the most golden engagement signals happen away from public view.
Connection Over Production: Many business owners assume their highly produced content is best. Often, it is the simple, quick pieces delivered straight from the heart that create the deepest connection. Spot these patterns so you can replicate them intentionally.
This test is laughably simple, yet it works every single time. Move away from assuming what your audience wants and ask them directly! You can run a poll, drop a social post, or email your list using these two easy prompts:
What is one thing you'd love to learn more about from me in the coming months?
What is the biggest challenge you have right now with [insert your topic]?
When you ask, people are happy to tell you. The common themes they share will instantly map out your content roadmap for you.
Your audience is asking questions all over the internet, not just on your personal channels. Step outside your own platforms to see what conversations are already happening:
Explore Search Engines: Look at Google's "People Also Ask" section, read through Reddit threads, or browse industry forums.
Use Practical Tools: Use tools like Answer the Public to type in your keywords and generate a word cloud of real-world searches.
Ditch the Corporate Jargon: Pay attention to the exact, natural words people use to describe their frustrations. When you reflect their actual thoughts to them using their own language, they feel instantly understood. This builds trust faster than any polished copywriting ever could.
When you combine what your audience engages with, what they tell you directly, and what they are searching for online, you find your marketing magic. Your messaging sharpens because you are speaking to real, lived needs instead of the imagined ones in your head.
I challenge you to choose just one of these tests and spend a single 10-minute block on it this week. You will be amazed by what you discover when you show consistent curiosity about your audience.
Enjoyed this episode? I'd love to know which of these three tests you are going to try first. Let me know in the comments! Remember, in business, sharing is caring. If this episode helped make marketing feel a little lighter for you, please share it with another business owner who is ready to create content with intention.
00:00 Why Content Flops
01:06 Audience Insight Made Simple
02:23 Test 1: Engagement Signals
04:08 Test 2: Ask Directly
05:16 Test 3: Search Listening
06:41 Combine Tests For Clarity
07:41 10 Minute Weekly Challenge
Progress Colouring Tracking Trees
Inside the Circle, we use specialised Progress Colouring Tracking Trees to visually colour in and track exactly what is working, helping you map out your business growth with clarity.
