8 real examples of target market analysis examples that actually guide strategy

Most target market writeups sound like they were written to appease investors, not to guide real decisions. The best examples of target market analysis examples do three things:

• Identify who you’re really targeting (and who you’re not)
• Quantify how many of them exist and what they’re worth
• Connect the analysis to specific moves: channels, messaging, and pricing

Let’s walk through several real-world style scenarios so you can see how that looks in practice, then adapt the structure for your own business plan or marketing strategy.

SaaS startup: B2B project management tool for construction firms

This is a classic example of target market analysis examples in a B2B context.

Business: Cloud-based project management platform tailored for small and mid-sized construction companies in the US.

Segmentation approach

Instead of saying “we target all businesses that manage projects,” the founders narrow it down:

• Industry: Construction and specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC)
• Company size: 10–200 employees
• Geography: United States, with focus on states with high construction spend (Texas, California, Florida, New York)
• Decision-maker: Operations managers, project managers, and owners

Market sizing (TAM, SAM, SOM)

They pull data from the U.S. Census Bureau and industry reports to estimate:

• About 700,000 construction firms in the US (including very small contractors)
• Roughly 120,000 firms in the 10–200 employee band
• Average potential annual spend on project software: $3,000 per firm

That gives a Serviceable Available Market (SAM) of about \(360 million (120,000 x \)3,000). They then set a realistic Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) target of 1% in 5 years, or $3.6 million in annual recurring revenue.

How it shapes strategy

Because the target market is clearly defined, the marketing strategy is tighter:

• Channels: Trade shows like World of Concrete, niche construction podcasts, LinkedIn ads targeting job titles in construction
• Messaging: Emphasis on reducing rework and change orders, using language familiar to contractors
• Pricing: Per-project and per-crew pricing instead of per-seat, matching how construction firms think about cost centers

This example of target market analysis shows how going narrow—by industry, size, and role—creates a far more actionable plan than “SMBs that manage projects.”

Direct-to-consumer skincare brand: sensitive skin, ingredient-conscious buyers

Consumer brands often get sloppy here: “We target women 18–54” is not a strategy. The best examples of target market analysis examples go deeper into needs and behavior.

Business: Online skincare brand focused on fragrance-free, dermatologist-tested products.

Segmentation approach

The team builds segments based on both demographics and psychographics:

• Demographics: Women and men 25–44, mid-to-high income
• Psychographics: Concerned about skin sensitivity, willing to pay more for gentle, science-backed formulas
• Behavior: Heavy online researchers, read ingredient lists, compare reviews, active on Instagram and TikTok

They support this with publicly available data on skin conditions and consumer behavior. For instance, the American Academy of Dermatology notes that skin conditions are among the most common reasons for medical visits in the US (aad.org), which backs their assumption that sensitive skin is a large and growing concern.

Market sizing and spend

They estimate:

• US facial skincare market size using industry reports
• Share of consumers who identify as having sensitive skin (from dermatology and consumer surveys)
• Average annual spend per sensitive-skin consumer, which is often higher due to trial-and-error purchases

From this, they calculate a target segment of a few million US consumers with an estimated annual spend in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: Influencer partnerships with dermatologists and skinfluencers, SEO content around “best moisturizer for sensitive skin,” and email nurturing with educational content
• Messaging: Ingredient transparency, clinical testing, and absence of common irritants
• Product roadmap: Start with a small line of core products (cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen) optimized for sensitive skin

This is a clean example of target market analysis where the problem (sensitive skin) is the anchor, not just age and gender.

Local fitness studio: urban millennial professionals

Brick-and-mortar businesses need real examples of target market analysis examples that factor in geography and lifestyle.

Business: Boutique strength and conditioning studio in a dense urban neighborhood.

Segmentation approach

The owner defines the primary target as:

• Age: 25–40
• Income: $75,000+ individual income
• Geography: Within a 1.5-mile radius of the studio
• Lifestyle: Office workers who sit most of the day, value structured training, and are willing to pay a premium for coaching

They use city demographic data, local real estate reports, and foot traffic data to estimate the number of people matching that profile.

Market sizing and conversion assumptions

They estimate:

• 30,000 residents within the radius
• About 35% in the 25–40 age band
• Roughly half in the target income range

That yields about 5,000 prime prospects. If they can win 3% of that group over time, that’s 150 members, which matches their capacity and revenue goals.

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: Local Google Ads, partnerships with nearby offices, referral programs, and Instagram content showcasing real client transformations
• Pricing: High-touch small-group training rather than low-cost memberships
• Schedule: Class times optimized for before and after standard office hours

This example of target market analysis shows how even a small business can quantify a realistic slice of the local population and build a plan around it.

EdTech platform: upskilling for mid-career professionals

As of 2024–2025, upskilling and reskilling are still major themes in the labor market, supported by data from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov). That makes EdTech a great space to look for real examples of target market analysis.

Business: Online platform offering short, project-based courses in data analytics and digital marketing.

Segmentation approach

The company defines its primary target market as:

• Age: 28–45
• Career stage: Mid-career professionals looking to move into higher-paying, data-driven roles
• Geography: Primarily US, Canada, and UK
• Behavior: Already comfortable with online learning, motivated by career advancement and salary growth

They back this with research on skills gaps and wage premiums for data and digital roles using government and academic sources, such as reports from the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov).

Market sizing and willingness to pay

They estimate:

• Tens of millions of workers in white-collar roles in target countries
• A subset who report wanting to change careers or upskill within the next 2–3 years
• Willingness to pay \(500–\)2,000 for programs that promise tangible career outcomes

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: LinkedIn ads targeting job titles and skills, partnerships with employers, and content marketing about career transitions
• Messaging: Salary uplift, job placement support, portfolio projects
• Product: Cohort-based courses with mentorship, which research shows often improves completion and satisfaction compared to self-paced only

This is one of the best examples of target market analysis examples for service businesses: it links macro labor trends to a very specific buyer profile and clear value proposition.

B2B cybersecurity service: small healthcare practices

Cybersecurity is broad. The best examples of target market analysis examples pick a vertical and go deep.

Business: Managed cybersecurity and compliance service for small healthcare providers.

Segmentation approach

• Industry: Healthcare (clinics, dental practices, small medical groups)
• Size: 5–50 employees
• Geography: United States
• Pain points: HIPAA compliance, ransomware risk, lack of in-house IT staff

They rely on public data on healthcare providers and cybersecurity incidents. For instance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tracks reported healthcare data breaches (hhs.gov), which supports the argument that even small practices are at risk.

Market sizing

• Tens of thousands of small practices nationwide
• Average contract value of \(12,000–\)30,000 per year

Even a tiny share of that market yields a sizeable revenue opportunity.

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: Industry conferences, partnerships with healthcare IT vendors, and targeted email outreach
• Messaging: Emphasis on regulatory risk reduction and incident response, not just “security tools”
• Sales approach: Education-heavy webinars that translate technical risk into financial and legal language owners understand

This example of target market analysis shows how regulatory context and risk exposure become part of the segmentation logic.

Food and beverage: ready-to-eat meals for remote workers

Remote and hybrid work are no longer temporary trends; they’re baked into the labor market. That opens up new examples of target market analysis examples in consumer packaged goods.

Business: Subscription-based, ready-to-eat lunch bowls delivered weekly.

Segmentation approach

• Demographics: 25–45, working professionals
• Work situation: Remote or hybrid, at home at least 3 days a week
• Geography: Major metro areas with high density of remote workers
• Behavior: Health-conscious, willing to pay a premium for convenience and nutrition

They draw on surveys about remote work prevalence from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau and private research firms, which show a meaningful share of the workforce still works from home multiple days per week.

Market sizing

• Estimate number of remote/hybrid workers in target metros
• Apply assumptions about interest in meal subscriptions and budget for at-home lunches

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: Social ads targeting interests like remote work, productivity, and fitness; partnerships with coworking spaces
• Messaging: “No more sad desk lunches,” macro-friendly nutrition, and time savings
• Operations: Delivery windows and packaging optimized for apartment living and office building security desks

This example of target market analysis uses a behavioral shift (remote work) as the core lens for defining the target.

Fintech app: budgeting tool for Gen Z and younger millennials

Fintech is crowded, so the best examples of target market analysis examples in this space show sharp differentiation.

Business: Mobile budgeting and savings app that gamifies money habits.

Segmentation approach

• Age: 18–30
• Income: Entry-level to early-career salaries
• Behavior: Heavy smartphone users, comfortable connecting bank accounts to apps, interested in improving financial literacy
• Psychographics: Want control over money but dislike traditional banking interfaces

They supplement this with research on financial literacy and digital banking adoption from sources like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov).

Market sizing

• Tens of millions of people in the age band in the US
• High smartphone and digital banking penetration
• Willingness to pay via premium features, interchange revenue, or partnerships

How it shapes strategy

• Channels: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube creators who talk about money in a casual, relatable way
• Messaging: Small wins, streaks, and challenges instead of lectures about budgeting
• Features: Social comparisons, rewards, and “leveling up” as users hit savings milestones

This example of target market analysis ties product design directly to the lifestyle and expectations of the target segment.

How to structure your own target market analysis (using these examples)

Looking across these real examples of target market analysis examples, a pattern emerges. A practical target market analysis usually covers:

1. Clear segment definition
Spell out industry (if B2B), demographics, psychographics, behaviors, and geography. Avoid “everyone who…” language.

2. Problem or job-to-be-done
Describe the specific problem, risk, or aspiration that unites your target group.

3. Market sizing
Estimate how many potential customers exist and what they’re likely to spend. Use public data where possible (government stats, industry associations, academic research).

4. Prioritization
You might identify multiple segments, but your analysis should highlight which one is the primary target and why.

5. Strategic implications
Connect the dots: how does this target market analysis influence channels, messaging, pricing, and product roadmap?

If you look back at each example of target market analysis above, you’ll see all five elements in play.

FAQ: examples of target market analysis questions founders actually ask

What is a simple example of target market analysis for a small online store?
Imagine you sell eco-friendly pet accessories online. A simple target market analysis might define your primary segment as US-based dog owners aged 25–45, mid-to-high income, who already buy premium food and care products. You’d estimate the number of such owners using pet ownership data from organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association, then focus your marketing on Instagram and TikTok with content about sustainable pet care.

What are some of the best examples of target market analysis examples for a business plan?
Investors and lenders like examples that clearly tie into revenue projections. Strong examples include a SaaS company that defines a specific industry and company size band, a local business that maps its neighborhood demographics to capacity, or a consumer brand that connects a health or lifestyle trend to a measurable segment size. The examples above—construction SaaS, boutique fitness, and sensitive-skin skincare—are all formats you can adapt directly into a business plan.

How detailed should my target market analysis be for a startup pitch deck?
You don’t need a 30-page report, but you do need more than a one-line description. A concise, effective example of target market analysis for a deck typically includes: a clear segment description, a credible market size estimate, and 2–3 bullets on why this segment is attractive (growth, spending power, low competition, or strong pain point).

Can I have more than one target market?
Yes, but you should still pick a primary one. Many of the best examples of target market analysis examples show a core target and a secondary or future segment. For instance, the EdTech platform might start with mid-career professionals and later expand into corporate training.

Where can I find data to support my target market analysis?
Start with government and academic sources: the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and sites like Harvard’s economic research projects often publish free data. Industry associations, reputable research firms, and .org sites can also help. The key is to anchor your numbers in sources that an informed investor or partner will recognize as credible.

If you use these real examples of target market analysis as a checklist—segment definition, problem, sizing, prioritization, and strategy—you’ll end up with a target market section that does more than tick a box. It will actually guide where you spend your time and budget.