Know your audience

At a workshop in Geneva, IL yesterday, I mentioned writing to your target reader, and even on your blog, knowing your readers. You are already aware of the number of readers who visit and return to your blog because they like your work and enjoy reading what you have to say.

But have you really identified your ideal target market? Is it people eager to learn time-saving solutions? Or is it young moms, reading on the run, and looking for advice on taming tantrums? My ideal reader is a man or woman eager to get their writing noticed - to use a blog or to write articles to get their voice heard, and build a following for their work. So my niche is easy because my blog is built to please and inform this market segment.

For your target reader, the more you narrow your blog or book niche the more you can deliver what they expect. As you can see, the puzzle is in figuring out. The reward is having a growing audience of people who look forward to reading more of your work.