To make an effective argument in a nonfiction book or even gear a novel to the audience you’re aiming for, you have to know to whom you’re appealing (i.e. your reader demographics). That’s why attorneys find out as much as they can about the jury members on the cases they’re arguing. Knowing about their audience gives them an indication of how to present their case.
Before you even think it, let me assure you that you’re not writing for everyone. Lots of newbie writers make that mistake–and it’s a big one. No book appeals to everyone. Not defining your audience increases the odds that your book will wind up appealing to no one.
If you still need to figure out basic information about your readers–and prospects if you’re writing a book to boost your business–filling out the reader demographics information below will help. Even if you feel that you’ve got those basics down, reminding yourself about them isn’t the worst idea.
Reader demographics:
- Age range:
- Gender:
- Ethnicity:
- Education:
- Occupation:
- Income:
- Family structure:
- Geographic location:
Depending on what you’re writing, it might also help to know what kinds of hobbies or activities your readers engage in.
In addition to knowing the board strokes about your audience, you also want to identify their pain points. What made them pick up your book? What kind of solution are they looking for?
Knowing who you’re writing for allows you to determine everything from how to present your book thesis to the kinds of supporting stories–or facts–that will resonate. You’ll also have a better sense of the kind of information to include or leave out of your book, and what tone will work best when you present a non-salesperson-like approach to how you can help resolve their pain.
That makes sense. If you’re trying to convince a variety of people about a certain point, you’re not going to approach them all in the same way. Rather, you’ll tailor your argument to the person you’re talking to. Or in this case, writing to. If I’m writing a book about the benefits of dog adoption, for example, my pitch to a readership of working millennials with kids at home is going to be different than to a readership of active retirees.
In short, understanding who your readers are allows you to create content they’ll relate–and respond–to. And whether you’re trying to amass a fan base for your books or for your business, that’s key.
Sorry, comments are closed for this post.