Great essay! After a highly successful career in radio I'd like add one other idea that might help writers relieve their fear of audience. Like writers, radio personalities are taught to speak just to one person and not to the thousands who may be listening. The trick that is seldom explained is to imagine that you are speaking or writing to one non-specific listener/reader. Don't think of an age, gender, or any other personal details. Let that person appreciate you from his or her perspective. You can't assign demographics to a sea of imaginary people nor even to just one. Yet you are still making your point intimately.
Your three gentle questions really uncovered some thoughts about my audience that were wishful thinking (also disguised as resentment if I'm to be honest) until I started writing through them. They began to shift into a group of ideas that I want not only for myself but for them as well. I started building the bridge.
What a mindset shift. I also resist thinking about the reader too much while I write, rather I focus on the intention and clarity of what I want to say. But when I take a step back, I’ve almost always created with more ease and flow when I have a conversation. I saw it over and over again in the corporate world particularly when I was stuck.
I think it is time to start having a conversation.
Such a beautiful way to show the importance of considering your readers. I especially liked: Because when you build a relationship with your readers, you’re not just marketing a book or growing a newsletter. You’re creating a bridge. A connection. And that connection has the power to sustain your work — not just financially, but spiritually.
I suppose it might also be possible that some readers recognise a particular area of strength in your writing before you are really aware of it yourself.
As a former marketer, I used to be passionate about getting into consumers' shoes and understanding their behaviors.
Yet, when it comes to writing, I tend to resist thinking too much about the reader. Probably because I don't feel confident enough in my writing practice and fear getting destabilized.
Your essay reminded me that building a bridge between my island and my foreign readers, creating a real connection between me and them, starting a conversation are the main reasons I started writing in the first place. So I'm gonna keep these useful questions in mind while working on my goals and plans for 2025.
Great essay! After a highly successful career in radio I'd like add one other idea that might help writers relieve their fear of audience. Like writers, radio personalities are taught to speak just to one person and not to the thousands who may be listening. The trick that is seldom explained is to imagine that you are speaking or writing to one non-specific listener/reader. Don't think of an age, gender, or any other personal details. Let that person appreciate you from his or her perspective. You can't assign demographics to a sea of imaginary people nor even to just one. Yet you are still making your point intimately.
Your three gentle questions really uncovered some thoughts about my audience that were wishful thinking (also disguised as resentment if I'm to be honest) until I started writing through them. They began to shift into a group of ideas that I want not only for myself but for them as well. I started building the bridge.
What a mindset shift. I also resist thinking about the reader too much while I write, rather I focus on the intention and clarity of what I want to say. But when I take a step back, I’ve almost always created with more ease and flow when I have a conversation. I saw it over and over again in the corporate world particularly when I was stuck.
I think it is time to start having a conversation.
Such a beautiful way to show the importance of considering your readers. I especially liked: Because when you build a relationship with your readers, you’re not just marketing a book or growing a newsletter. You’re creating a bridge. A connection. And that connection has the power to sustain your work — not just financially, but spiritually.
I suppose it might also be possible that some readers recognise a particular area of strength in your writing before you are really aware of it yourself.
Very interesting essay!
As a former marketer, I used to be passionate about getting into consumers' shoes and understanding their behaviors.
Yet, when it comes to writing, I tend to resist thinking too much about the reader. Probably because I don't feel confident enough in my writing practice and fear getting destabilized.
Your essay reminded me that building a bridge between my island and my foreign readers, creating a real connection between me and them, starting a conversation are the main reasons I started writing in the first place. So I'm gonna keep these useful questions in mind while working on my goals and plans for 2025.