Which approach best describes targeting in marketing?

The approach that best describes targeting in marketing is the development of personalized marketing strategies for selected segments. Targeting involves identifying specific groups within a broader market that share common characteristics, needs, or behaviors. By selecting these segments, marketers can tailor their strategies—such as messaging, product offerings, and promotional activities—to resonate more effectively with those groups.

This targeted approach is crucial because it allows organizations to allocate their marketing resources more efficiently and increases the likelihood of engagement and conversion by speaking directly to the interests and preferences of identified segments. For instance, a company might create different advertising campaigns for millennials versus baby boomers, recognizing that each generation has distinct preferences and values.

In contrast to this targeted strategy, simply catering to general demographic features does not take into account the complexities of individual consumer behaviors. Pricing focus or creating a single marketing mix for all customers overlooks the diverse needs across different segments, leading to missed opportunities and potentially disconnection from the target audience. Therefore, personalized strategies that address the specific desires and characteristics of chosen market segments enhance the effectiveness and success of marketing efforts.