My Ideal Reader
Jan 18th, 2008 by Nut
This is a notion I picked up in grad school when I was getting my Masters in Writing: For a lot of writers it helps to keep a certain reader in mind as they sit down to write.
Will X like this part? X will think this is funny, right?
It really helps materialize an otherwise ethereal and creative process and gives writers some indirect feedback during an otherwise very lonely process.
The more I write about personal finance on this blog, the more I’ve used this visualization technique. And who is my ideal reader? M, my fiancée.
She’s perfect because she isn’t really interested in the deeper topics of personal finance and investing. And, unfortunately, that’s the case with most people. So if I want to get my ideas across to as many people as I can, I need to be able to break through that wall that keeps most people away from getting interested in finances and budgeting.
M has taken to budgeting though, and I was there as she went through the whole learning and adjustment process. I tried to offer my own budgeting system for her, but it just didn’t fit her style. It didn’t work for her. We both learned from that, and as a PF Blogger it was very insightful and useful to see that someone can adjust to budgeting but needs to find their own system that works for them.
Here is how keeping M in mind as my ideal reader has helped me writer better posts (which can still get a lot better):
1. It makes it more entertaining: It’s almost like writing a letter, which I always find very stimulating and fun. Knowing it’s going to be read (and especially by someone you know) takes you in certain directions and keeps you focused.
2. It makes the writing more accessible: This is the key to the whole concept because as soon as I learn something I automatically assume that everyone else knows it too. So this reminds me that I need to open doors for people and serve as a guide, which I like to do.
3. Makes each post a challenge: How am I going to make Dollar-cost averaging interesting? What about shuffling through a financial statement? Well, drawing analogies to other things in life that people can relate to is one way. But trying to come up with better ways to this can be incredible rewarding.
Do you have an ideal reader? How does keeping that person in mind help you as you write?
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The Wire, Season 4
That’s an interesting question. I started my PF blog for fun… and didn’t expect anyone would actually end up reading it, except for maybe a lost reader or two who surfed onto the site at random.
While I work as a freelance writer and definitely keep audience in mind in my professional writing assignments, my blog is more open in that sense. I recently lost a reader (or two) for writing a blog post that was very open and honest regarding a mature topic. Luckily enough, the same post inspired two new readers to add me.
What I’ve realized is that as long as I’m honest in my blogging, the right people will appreciate it. My blog is generally geared towards other 20-something women who have some disposable income, but who are trying to learn about saving money and understand the bigger picture of long-term investments. Still, I find that readers from all age groups and genders enjoy some of my posts. I especially like when readers who are obviously older and wiser than me come to read my blog and offer advice. It’s a great way to learn about personal finance customized to my own, um, personal confusions!
I think you’re way ahead of the game in terms of knowing who your target audience is. Even if it’s unconscious, when you have a picture of who you’re writing to, you’ll be truer to that audience.