It was quite common for emigrants to head for places where there were known to be opportunities to carry on the same trade. Massachusetts had quite a few mill towns; I've followed one family to Fall River, which seemed to be full of Lancashire people. Have a look at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mill_towns_in_MassachusettsThere were agents in the UK dealing with emigration, and placing advertisements. I saw some such ads when I was browsing old copies of the Wigan Observer.
Of course once one emigrant was doing well, letters home would tempt others to join them. One of my relatives headed to Cape Breton three weeks after an article appeared in the local paper telling of men from another place in Lancashire heading "where coal mines are being developed". Very attractive in the 1902 slump.
I ended up with 4 gg aunts and a gg uncle settled there, and others visited.
