How to choose a Target Area

Here are some principles that guide us. And a fun tool.

Principle 1: Make it big enough

A good Target Area is large enough to demand your efforts. Anything small enough that you could go door to door or ask everyone individually is a Target Area that does not need a plan, strategy or much compassion or teamwork. You’d just knock it out one by one.

A Target Area that’s too large to “brute force” it is large enough to need prayer and planning and probably help. Perfect.

Principle 2: Make it small enough

A good Target Area is small enough to reduce the overwhelming feelings, and gives your efforts shape and purpose. “The Campus” is too big for any plan and discourages leaders (and followers!) from making any headway towards the goal.

Principle 3: Pick ready-made connections

“People born on a Tuesday” could be a great size for a Target Area (depending on the size of the school) BUT the members of that group are not connected to each other in any way, nor is it compelling for the members to develop those connections.

Target Areas that contain people already connected to each other in some way allows you to benefit from those connections. It also allows you to more easily know who’s part of that group, how to reach them, and clues to the best way to communicate the message.

Principle 4: Think of the end-goal

We ultimately want to reach the entire campus. A Target Area strategy is a great start, but will only get us so far. What happens next? Reaching the Ineverwanttotalktoanyone club is worthy, but we can get even further towards our goal by reaching the Ilovetalkingtootherpeople club. No group of people have more value than other groups. There can be wisdom in how we spend our energy.