How to Select a Target Audience For Your Work Without ‘Limiting Yourself’

June 6, 2013
On Target by LarryLens at sxc.hu

On Target by LarryLens at sxc.hu

Let’s talk about TV for a moment.

There are lots of shows out there. Since Netflix, most off-air shows are available at the touch of a button (still waiting on The Waltons, Netflix – get on it!).

Even if you screen out all the stuff that came out yesterday, there’s still so much coming out. You’d never be able to watch everything even if you tried. Even if you pulled it off, you’d go into overload and not have enough energy or time to reflect on what you saw.

Now take TV, and add Books, Blogs, Magazines, Music, Education courses. If you’re anything like me, you could major in about 20 different subjects if money and time weren’t an issue.

But money and time ARE an issue.

So you filter it all out. If something doesn’t apply to you and your situation – you’re not going to pay attention to. You  don’t have time for anything else.

Yet you are aren’t likely to find anything put together for your exact situation.

As a consumer, you have to take what applies mostly to you, and run with it.

As a producer, you aren’t going to write a self-help book for a young, professional Asian American in west L.A. trying to date a Christian recording studio engineer in his late 30’s. See what I mean? If you wrote that book, and it actually reached that one person, you’ve spent $1000-$3000+ and made back $15.

What’s a producer to do?

How do you create something that a large group of people will buy, enjoy, and share with their friends, without your hard work getting ignored by everyone?

Here are a few things you can look for:

  •  All people have universal needs, fears, and desires
  • All people have underlying motivations for their desires
  • All people have social pressures pushing them this way and that
  • All people have different experiences, results, and feedback from their actions, and varying levels of awareness about why they are in their current situation

These apply to everyone. Yet they won’t be the same for every person out there.

  • The woman who wants to be beautiful in order to get a career as a model will have a different underlining motivation than another woman who just loves running after work.
  • An elderly person who desires security want a gun in their home in case an intruder breaks in and attacks them. That same person, if they grew up in a bad neighborhood on the outskirts of town, may instead prefer renting an apartment next door to a police station.
  • The high school student, pushed into a medical degree by their parents, will have different motivations than another graduate who reads books on anatomy and physiology for fun.

If you’re writing for the woman who wants to be a model, you will use the type of words she uses. You’ll illustrate what it will look like when she is on the cover of Marie Claire, and how eating green vegetables will make her skin glow.

The student pushed into studying medicine will appreciate guides on how to get through the tough courses with as little effort and time as possible. You’ll talk about how proud their family will be, and show how they can do whatever they really want on the side, while they use their medical career to finance their dream life.

Or you’ll go the other way and write a book that helps him tell his parents to ‘eat their shorts’.

When you know you WHO are writing to, you’ll know

  • What you’re main character will look like (even nonfiction books have characters)
  • How they talk
  • What they dream about
  • What they are afraid of
  • What questions they will ask on each step of the journey

By then, you may even know what makes them laugh!

By getting specific, the people who you are writing to will feel like you are writing TO them. At the same time, you won’t be vague. You’ll cut through the clutter. And your work will get the attention it so richly deserves.

74 responses to How to Select a Target Audience For Your Work Without ‘Limiting Yourself’

  1. I simply want to say I am just all new to weblog and actually liked this blog site. Probably I’m planning to bookmark your website . You definitely come with perfect articles. Regards for sharing with us your website.

  2. Long and lazy little and loud fat and fulsome pretty and proud.

  3. I simply want to say I’m new to blogs and truly loved your website. Likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You absolutely have amazing writings. Thanks a lot for revealing your web-site.

  4. I just want to mention I am newbie to weblog and honestly savored this web blog. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You amazingly come with remarkable articles and reviews. Cheers for sharing with us your website.

  5. I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to blogging and seriously savored your website. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your site . You amazingly have impressive article content. Thanks for sharing with us your website.

  6. I just want to say I’m beginner to blogs and really savored you’re blog. Likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You definitely come with impressive writings. With thanks for revealing your blog site.

  7. I simply want to tell you that I’m new to blogging and site-building and absolutely enjoyed your page. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You surely have tremendous posts. Cheers for sharing with us your web page.

  8. I simply want to tell you that I’m newbie to weblog and absolutely savored your website. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You surely have superb writings. Many thanks for sharing your web site.

  9. I simply want to mention I am all new to blogging and site-building and absolutely enjoyed your blog site. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely have terrific articles. Thank you for sharing with us your web site.

  10. I simply want to say I am just new to weblog and absolutely liked this website. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your website . You really come with superb stories. Thanks for sharing with us your blog site.

  11. I just want to say I am newbie to blogs and definitely liked you’re web page. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You actually come with terrific article content. Thank you for revealing your blog site.

  12. I simply want to say I am just new to weblog and honestly enjoyed your page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You definitely come with terrific stories. Kudos for revealing your blog.

  13. I simply want to say I am just all new to blogging and site-building and really loved you’re web page. Probably I’m want to bookmark your site . You actually come with tremendous article content. Many thanks for sharing your webpage.

  14. I simply want to say I am just new to blogging and honestly savored this website. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You really come with outstanding writings. Thanks for sharing your web site.

  15. I simply want to tell you that I am just new to blogs and seriously savored your web site. Likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You amazingly come with fantastic writings. Thanks for sharing with us your website.

  16. I simply want to mention I am just all new to weblog and truly enjoyed your web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your blog . You really have tremendous stories. Bless you for revealing your website page.

  17. I simply want to mention I’m new to blogs and seriously liked this web blog. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your website . You certainly come with superb posts. Many thanks for revealing your website page.

  18. I just want to tell you that I am new to weblog and certainly enjoyed this page. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your site . You absolutely have superb stories. Cheers for revealing your blog site.

  19. I simply want to tell you that I’m very new to weblog and honestly liked you’re web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You certainly come with good articles and reviews. Thank you for sharing your website page.

  20. I simply want to say I’m newbie to blogging and absolutely savored your blog site. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You surely come with really good articles and reviews. With thanks for revealing your webpage.

  21. I simply want to say I am very new to blogging and site-building and actually liked you’re blog site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your site . You really come with perfect articles. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web-site.

  22. I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and site-building and seriously liked this blog. More than likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You really have perfect posts. Kudos for revealing your web page.

  23. I just want to say I am beginner to blogs and definitely liked your page. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your website . You certainly have amazing posts. With thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

  24. I simply want to say I am all new to blogging and site-building and truly liked this blog site. More than likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You absolutely have good well written articles. Kudos for sharing with us your blog site.

  25. I simply want to mention I am very new to blogging and really loved you’re web blog. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You actually have remarkable articles. Thanks a bunch for sharing your web-site.

  26. I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogs and actually savored your website. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You actually have terrific articles. Thanks a bunch for revealing your web page.

  27. I just want to mention I’m newbie to blogging and certainly enjoyed you’re blog. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You certainly come with great articles and reviews. With thanks for sharing with us your web-site.

  28. I just want to mention I’m all new to weblog and actually loved your web blog. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your site . You surely come with awesome article content. With thanks for revealing your blog.

  29. I just want to mention I’m very new to blogging and site-building and honestly enjoyed you’re web blog. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You really have superb stories. With thanks for revealing your website.

  30. I just want to mention I am beginner to blogging and site-building and actually enjoyed you’re blog site. Probably I’m going to bookmark your site . You surely come with remarkable writings. Thank you for sharing with us your website page.

  31. I simply want to tell you that I am newbie to blogging and site-building and certainly loved this web page. Almost certainly I’m likely to bookmark your blog . You surely have really good articles. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web site.

  32. I simply want to say I’m new to blogs and definitely savored this web blog. Most likely I’m likely to bookmark your site . You actually come with impressive well written articles. Many thanks for sharing your blog site.

  33. I just want to say I’m beginner to blogging and definitely enjoyed your website. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your blog post . You amazingly come with incredible articles and reviews. Appreciate it for sharing your website page.

  34. I simply want to say I’m beginner to blogging and site-building and honestly savored this website. Likely I’m going to bookmark your site . You really come with exceptional writings. With thanks for revealing your website.

  35. I just want to mention I am just very new to blogging and truly savored you’re web blog. Almost certainly I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You absolutely come with fantastic articles. Cheers for sharing with us your blog.

  36. I just want to say I am just new to blogging and site-building and certainly loved your page. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog post . You actually have perfect well written articles. Thanks a bunch for sharing your website page.

  37. I simply want to say I am just newbie to weblog and honestly enjoyed you’re blog. Almost certainly I’m want to bookmark your blog post . You actually have perfect posts. Thanks a lot for sharing with us your web page.

  38. A person essentially help to make critically articles I’d state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual post amazing. Magnificent job!

  39. Different flowers look good to different people.

  40. There is nothing so good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse.

  41. Thank You OP For Your Valuabe Share & Definitely It Will Be Help My Next Project. I am Waiting For Your Next Share. Thanks A Lot Again

  42. Superb blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of community where I can get advice from other experienced people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Bless you!|

  43. Hey! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!|

  44. I was recommended this blog through my cousin. I am now not positive whether or not this post is written through him as nobody else understand such specified approximately my problem. You’re incredible! Thank you!|

  45. types of life insurance policies May 2, 2015 at 6:31 am

    Attractive portion of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing on your feeds and even I achievement you get right of entry to constantly quickly.|

  46. Wonderful blog you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really like to be a part of online community where I can get opinions from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Appreciate it!|

  47. you’re really a just right webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It seems that you are doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a wonderful process on this matter!|

  48. I think that everything said was actually very reasonable. But, consider this, what if you were to write a awesome title? I mean, I don’t want to tell you how to run your website, however what if you added a post title that grabbed a person’s attention? I mean %BLOG_TITLE% is kinda plain. You ought to glance at Yahoo’s home page and note how they create post headlines to grab people to open the links. You might try adding a video or a pic or two to grab readers excited about what you’ve written. Just my opinion, it would make your posts a little bit more interesting.|

  49. I do not even know the way I stopped up right here, however I assumed this put up was once good. I do not recognize who you’re however certainly you’re going to a famous blogger in the event you aren’t already. Cheers!|

  50. My brother suggested I might like this website. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|

  51. It’s actually a cool and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.|

  52. credit reports May 2, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I’ve got you book marked to check out new things you post…|

  53. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!|

  54. credit reports May 2, 2015 at 2:31 pm

    Thanks designed for sharing such a good thought, piece of writing is fastidious, thats why i have read it entirely|

  55. You ought to take part in a contest for one of the most useful websites on the net. I am going to highly recommend this blog!|

  56. each time i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading now.|

  57. hi!,I love your writing so much! proportion we communicate more approximately your article on AOL? I require a specialist on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look ahead to look you. |

  58. That is very interesting, You are a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and stay up for in quest of more of your fantastic post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks|

  59. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back yet again since I saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.|

  60. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to produce a great article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t manage to get anything done.|

  61. Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks|

  62. Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues. It was really informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!|

  63. Hi! I simply wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you’ve got here on this post. I am coming back to your website for more soon.|

  64. WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for %keyword%|

  65. If you would like to grow your knowledge just keep visiting this site and be updated with the latest news update posted here.|

  66. What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & help different customers like its aided me. Good job.|

  67. Water for oxen wine for kings.

  68. This design is spectacular! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!|

  69. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and will eventually come back in the future. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!|

  70. Hello to all, it’s really a good for me to pay a quick visit this website, it contains helpful Information.|

  71. Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Appreciate it|

  72. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My website is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you present here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!|

Trackbacks and Pingbacks:

  1. sell my house fast dc - May 1, 2015

    Tumblr article

    I saw someone talking about this on Tumblr and it linked to

  2. roll up gate repair nyc - May 2, 2015

    Looking around

    I like to surf in various places on the online world, regularly I will just go to Digg and read and check stuff out