So everyone was shocked last night when Pia was voted off American Idol.  It was the first time we have seen the judges make very vocal complaints about America’s votes, and twitter and facebook is buzzing with shock.

But this is a great takeaway lesson for marketers and business owners. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE WELL.

While Pia was an amazing singer, arguably the best on the stage this year, she obviously didn’t connect with the voting demographic. I am going to take a guess here and say her amazing ballad renditions were more appreciated by non-voters than voters.  And who are the voters? Well, let’s look at who is still standing- An alternative /singer song writer with a very original voice, a stereotypical rock star with an amazing voice that goes high on command, a young version of Luther Vandross who is hard NOT to like,  two very young country influenced singers with their own style, a clean cut young man that looks like he’s straight out of a boy band with the voice to match, A very original and gifted bearded singer and musician who we all can relate to as the “uncool” out of the mold guy, and  a young girl with an amazing blues influenced voice that she has made into her own original signature.

So what do we learn from all of this about the voters?

1. They want someone who is original with their own style and puts their own signature on the music.

2. The younger teens and tweens are obviously driving a ton of the voting

3. People are looking for a personal connection that they can connect to off the stage as well as on the stage.

5. Don’t rely JUST on  your singing ability. It’s your personality on stage and crowd interaction that makes a difference.

6. And as Mr. Tyler said, it’s some time the imperfect vocal ability that makes it just perfect for the voters.

The lesson and exercise above can be applied to any business or marketing initiative. If you want to connect with your fans or customers who will ultimately vote with their wallets, or their recommendation of your product or service, you have got to know who they are.

Here are a few tips that may have saved Pia, and will hopefully help you-

- Go where your audience goes, read what they read, eat where they eat, etc.

- Be authentic and transparent with your communcation

- Look at your competition and see what their fans or customers are responding to the most

- Focus on the audience of ONE. Don’t try to appeal to everyone, but imagine you are talking to that one person who is your focus demographic

- Be yourself, and at the same time focus on what makes you unique and different. Don’t be a carbon copy of anyone else.