Deciding where to spend your time and budget can be a daunting task for small business owners, but knowing your target market can help you communicate effectively with potential customers. Keep the following in mind when developing a communication strategy: 1 Health information is sought online across all ages, with product research and travel reservations following close after. 2 Generation Y (18-32) believe that if they can't find something online it doesn't exist... If this is your target group make sure that you are visible in the search engines! 3 Gen Y and Gen X like giving reviews; manage yours on Yelp and the like by encouraging happy customers to review with tabletop reminders or bill stuffers. 4 The iPad is likely to replace the desktop for Silver Surfers (age 65+). Make sure your website displays properly on the device and that functionalities such as purchasing options, pop-ups etc. are operating. 5 73% of adults 18 yrs and older have a Facebook account and almost 40% join Fan Pages to receive discounts and special offers, so be sure to regularly post special offers for your fans. 6 Twitter is more popular with young adults, however texting surpasses twitter usage for ages 12-17. Encourage sharing special offers with visible reminders throughout your establishment; 8 out of 10 girls text sales offers to friends. Sources: Marketingcharts.com, PEW Internet & American Life Project, Nielsen, Culturalfuel.net.