As a professional blogger, I would like to say that I know my audience well. I would like to say that I know their next move and can anticipate their every need. But the truth is: I don’t.
Most bloggers find themselves struggling to define who they are, what they stand for and what type of information they should provide. I’ve read that to know your audience, you have to put yourself in your readers’ shoes. That makes sense. If I’m writing for a shoe blog, then I know that shop-a-holic shoe lovers want to know the spring season’s newest trends, cheapest alternatives and comfiest footwear.
But, do you find that even when you mentally strain yourself trying to figure out what people want, you cannot come up with a single, original thought? That happens to me.
Some of the most successful bloggers around say that when you don’t know what your audience wants, just ask. Conduct a survey. Send out e-mails and tweets. Get feedback from your readers.
What if you don’t have a regular number of readers to ask? Then what? I asked the same questions.
The better way to know your audience
I started a new venture at the beginning of this year. The short of it is I am building an authority website. Gasp! It also has nothing to do with writing, blogging or business, the very topics I script and read regularly. Double gasp!
Why did I take on such a venture?
Because I am not only the creator, writer and designer of an authority website, I am a member of my own audience. I know what I want to see from other websites and blogs in this niche, and for the past five years since I have been researching it, I have not been satisfied with what I’ve found.
Why does this matter to you?
Because if you are a blogger, struggling in your niche, perhaps it’s time to shift to one that comes more naturally to you. Ask yourself:
This has got to be the easiest way to know your audience. No, it isn’t some earth-shattering secret you never heard before. It isn’t some mega-scheme guaranteed to get you thousands of followers. For me, it is a sure-fire way to build and promote a successful website and blog. It was an epiphany.
Most bloggers find themselves struggling to define who they are, what they stand for and what type of information they should provide. I’ve read that to know your audience, you have to put yourself in your readers’ shoes. That makes sense. If I’m writing for a shoe blog, then I know that shop-a-holic shoe lovers want to know the spring season’s newest trends, cheapest alternatives and comfiest footwear.
But, do you find that even when you mentally strain yourself trying to figure out what people want, you cannot come up with a single, original thought? That happens to me.
Some of the most successful bloggers around say that when you don’t know what your audience wants, just ask. Conduct a survey. Send out e-mails and tweets. Get feedback from your readers.
What if you don’t have a regular number of readers to ask? Then what? I asked the same questions.
The better way to know your audience
I started a new venture at the beginning of this year. The short of it is I am building an authority website. Gasp! It also has nothing to do with writing, blogging or business, the very topics I script and read regularly. Double gasp!
Why did I take on such a venture?
Because I am not only the creator, writer and designer of an authority website, I am a member of my own audience. I know what I want to see from other websites and blogs in this niche, and for the past five years since I have been researching it, I have not been satisfied with what I’ve found.
Why does this matter to you?
Because if you are a blogger, struggling in your niche, perhaps it’s time to shift to one that comes more naturally to you. Ask yourself:
- Do you have any hobbies you are currently pursuing?
- What kinds of blogs do you like to read?
- Do you have some hidden knowledge that would benefit others?
- Do you like to research a particular topic and share your findings?
This has got to be the easiest way to know your audience. No, it isn’t some earth-shattering secret you never heard before. It isn’t some mega-scheme guaranteed to get you thousands of followers. For me, it is a sure-fire way to build and promote a successful website and blog. It was an epiphany.
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