Using Analytics and Social Listening to Build Better Marketing Plans

As I learn more about market segmentation, I’m beginning to understand how detailed and insightful the process becomes when marketers use data to truly understand their audience. Before taking this class, I pictured segmentation as choosing age groups, income levels, or locations. Now I’m starting to see how much more thoughtful and layered it can be, especially when marketers use tools like Google Analytics and social listening platforms to guide their decisions.

Using Google Analytics to Identify Audience Patterns

Google Analytics is one tool that has helped me see how much information is available to marketers. At first glance, the dashboard can feel overwhelming, but once you learn what the data represents, it becomes incredibly useful. Google Analytics provides details about who is visiting a website, how they got there, and what they did once they arrived. This includes demographic information, user behavior, device types, and engagement patterns.

According to Forbes, Google Analytics helps businesses understand user behavior so they can create more targeted and effective strategies (Forbes Business Council, 2022). This matters for segmentation because it shows marketers not only who their audience is but also what they respond to. For example, if most website visitors are browsing on mobile devices, the brand knows to prioritize mobile optimization. If certain pages get a lot of traffic but people leave quickly, the company may need to adjust messaging or layout.

Insights like these help marketers build a stronger marketing plan. They can tailor their messaging, choose the right platforms, and develop content that aligns with the behavior patterns of their audience.

Using Social Listening to Hear the Customer’s Voice

While Google Analytics focuses on what people do, social listening focuses on what people say. Social listening platforms like Sprout Social track online conversations, hashtags, reviews, and trending topics across social media. This allows marketers to understand how consumers talk about a brand or industry in real time.

Sprout Social explains that social listening helps businesses uncover audience sentiment, understand preferences, and identify emerging trends so they can respond more effectively (Sprout Social, 2024). I like this approach because it gives marketers the chance to hear what consumers are saying in their own words. People often express their honest thoughts on social media, whether they are sharing excitement, disappointment, or recommendations.

This information supports segmentation by showing what different groups care about and how they behave online. If a certain audience segment consistently discusses sustainability or customer service, those insights can guide messaging and product decisions. When marketers include this information in their marketing plan, they can create campaigns that feel more authentic and relevant.

Why These Tools Matter for Building a Marketing Plan

Both Google Analytics and social listening are helpful because they give marketers a more complete picture of their audience. Segmentation becomes more accurate when it is based on real data and real conversations instead of assumptions. Google Analytics provides measurable patterns and behavior insights. Social listening adds emotional context and consumer voice.

Together, these tools help marketers build marketing plans that reach the right people with the right message at the right time.

Conclusion

Learning about these tools has helped me appreciate how much thought goes into understanding consumer behavior. Market segmentation is not simply a checklist. It is a process of paying attention to what people do and what they say. Google Analytics and social listening make that possible by giving marketers access to the patterns and conversations that shape consumer decisions. As I continue this course, I am beginning to see how important these tools are for building marketing plans that actually meet the needs of the audience.

References

Forbes Business Council. (2022, August 1). Google Analytics for businesses and how to use it. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/councils/theyec/2022/08/01/google-analytics-for-businesses-and-how-to-use-it/

Sprout Social. (2024). 10 social listening tools to understand your audience. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-listening-tools/

ChatGPT. (2025). Analytics and social media brainstorming illustration [AI-generated image]. OpenAI.

How Michaels Reaches Every Crafter

When I think about how well a company understands its customers, Michaels comes to mind. I recently bought two skeins of chunky Bernat yarn for a blanket I am making for my daughter. I have recently become more aware of marketing strategies that companies use because of the marketing classes I have taken. Michaels has an app that sends personalized coupons, a rewards program that tracks crafting habits, and text messages with limited time offers. It is clear that they understand that today’s crafters are not a single type of customer. They are students, parents, grandparents, small business owners, and hobbyists who sell their creations online.

Market Segments and Strategies

Michaels uses several segmentation strategies to appeal to its broad audience. Demographically, they target adults, mostly women, between their mid-twenties and sixties who enjoy arts, crafts, and home decor. According to Mintel (2025), women are more likely than men to engage in creative hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, and home décor projects, which aligns with Michaels’ target audience. Psychographically, they focus on creative self-expression and the satisfaction that comes from making something by hand. I can testify to that feeling. Michaels’ messaging taps into the emotional value of crafting by emphasizing creativity, relaxation, and the joy of giving handmade gifts. Behaviorally, the company uses loyalty data to send personalized discounts based on previous purchases, such as yarn coupons for knitters or paint offers for artists. Geographically, they tailor promotions to local store events or seasonal weather patterns, such as promoting indoor crafts during Ohio’s cold winters.

Key Points for Effective Segmentation

There are a few lessons marketers can learn from Michaels’ approach:

1. Use data to personalize outreach. Apps, websites, and rewards programs provide insight into what customers actually buy and how often they shop.
2. Connect emotionally, not just functionally. Crafting fulfills deeper needs for creativity and stress relief, so messaging should reflect those values.
3. Be consistent across channels. Michaels integrates its website, app, texts, and in-store promotions, creating a unified shopping experience.
4. Adapt to customer behavior. As shoppers shift from printed mailers to digital content, Michaels adjusted its strategy rather than clinging to older formats.
5. Reward loyalty. Exclusive coupons and early sale alerts keep customers engaged and feeling appreciated.

A New Market Segment to Explore

One new market segment I have noticed emerging is younger eco-conscious crafters. These customers want sustainable materials and zero-waste project ideas. Many of them shop online for recycled or organic yarn, natural dyes, or upcycled craft supplies. Mintel’s (2025) research shows that younger consumers are increasingly motivated by sustainability and prefer brands that offer eco-friendly materials and responsible sourcing. Michaels could attract this group by expanding its eco-friendly product line and creating a segmentation strategy focused on sustainability. This could include a “Green Crafting” category online, social media tutorials on using repurposed materials, and a loyalty bonus for recycling craft packaging in stores.

Connecting to Consumer Behavior

According to Consumer Behavior by Babin and Harris (2021), market segmentation helps companies create greater value by aligning products and messaging with the unique motivations of each group. Michaels demonstrates how understanding customer lifestyles, emotions, and buying patterns can strengthen loyalty and enhance the overall shopping experience. By keeping up with changing values such as sustainability, Michaels can continue to inspire creativity and maintain its position as a leader in the crafting industry.Connecting to Consumer Behavior

Conclusion

Michaels is a great example of how effective segmentation can turn a simple craft store into a personalized experience for every kind of creator. By understanding who its customers are, what motivates them, and how their values evolve, Michaels has built a brand that feels both familiar and forward-thinking. As crafting trends continue to change, the company’s ability to adapt its segmentation strategies will be what keeps customers coming back—whether they are lifelong knitters or new eco-conscious makers exploring their first DIY project.

References

Babin, B. J., & Harris, E. (2021). CB (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9798214339405

Mintel. (2025). Arts and crafts – US – 2025. Mintel Group Ltd.