How Do You Know Your Audience?
Last night I was talking with a friend and I got to thinking about how it is easy to connect with someone when we talk face-to-face. We can see their facial expressions, watch their body language, and listen to the tone of their voice. This makes it easier to know and understand our audience when we are communicating. By paying attention and listening we can better understand their interests, needs, and wants.
Most publications will give the demographics of their readers within the writer guidelines. This may include the geographical location, income level, age, sex and other information about the publication’s readers. It is up to the writer to study the publication and gain a better understanding of the type of information the audience enjoys reading.
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But how do you know your audience when the demographics are not provided for you or if you do not personally know the actual person? The answer is to simply find ways to connect with others, pay attention, and listen closely.
Never fear asking questions
If you notice a certain magazine your friends or family is reading ask them what they enjoyed most about the magazine. Ask them what made them pick it up or what it was that caught their attention and made them want to read it.
Use social networking sites
Pay attention to what is being tweeted on Twitter, status updates or discussions friends may be having on other social networking sites. Join the conversation in order to dig a little deeper and keep the conversation going.
Use writing forums
Use writing forums to see what types of questions people are asking or ask a question yourself. Pay attention to the answers being given. This will give you a good idea as to what type of information people are looking for.
Visit blogs and comment
Pay attention to what others are reading on the web. Be sure to not only read the comments but leave comments on blogs and engage in the conversation.
It is important for a writer to connect with others in order to understand what is important to them. Then provide them with the information they want and let them know you were listening.
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2 Responses to “How Do You Know Your Audience?”
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Twitter: sandijohnson1
says:
Here here! I totally agree, Crystal. When you’re talking about print gigs, another good way to learn about the magazine’s demographic is to read the “letters to the editor” section, or any section of the pub that provides feedback/responses from readers. If they don’t print them, you can sometimes find the same info from comments left on the pub’s website/blog. It gives you an idea who their readers are and what issues/articles/topics spark their interest.
Twitter: CrystalJCase
says:
Sandi,
Thanks! I didn’t even think about being able to use the “letters to the editor” section to help better understand the readers.
Crystal