Throughout my adult life, I’ve thought a lot about audiences. As a technical writer, marketing writer, teacher, partner in an advertising agency, group and individual psychotherapist, business owner, musical performer, AND a daily blogger, I’ve learned that identifying and connecting authentically with an audience is very important.
At the same time, each one of us really knows only our own individual experience. I might imagine and try to understand the potential members of any audience, but it’s impossible for me to really get into anybody else’s head. The only head I can really inhabit is my own — and that’s true for any human being, no matter how much each one of us projects, researches, empathizes, or otherwise tries to connect with an audience.
So, how can any one of us really comprehend and connect with the other people in any audience, in any situation?
Do you — my audience — have any answers for that question?
As I’m creating this blog post, I am aware that you, among others in my blogging audience, will be reading it. At the same time, I don’t really know
- who you are,
- what you’re looking for here, and
- how I can give you what you need.
I can only guess.
Therefore, no matter who my audience is — for anything I put out into the world — I need to focus on what’s important to me and on communicating that as effectively and authentically as possible.
Then, if I miss the mark and I do not connect with my audience, at least I’ve created something that matters to one person — myself.
Why am I writing about audiences to you, my blogging audience, today?
Why not?
Also, yesterday I signed up to audition for the U.S. television show, The Voice.
Actually, I wasn’t sure whether I was going to share that fact with any audience. Why? Because sharing anything with an audience involves vulnerability.
And what does vulnerability tell me now?
I may fail.
But then, I can ask these follow up questions — to myself and, simultaneously, to my audience:
What does failure mean?
What if the concept of failure did not exist?
And I can also tell myself this:
No matter what happens, I’ll have something interesting to blog about.
And I’ll probably have some pictures to show you, like these (which I took yesterday, not really knowing who my audience might be today):
Speaking of The Voice, what does your voice want to express, here and now?
My thanks to audiences, everywhere.
Great post Ann! Good luck on this Voice adventure!!
When it comes to understanding our audience, the first thing that comes to mind is to ask them what they want…. Then I communicate in a way that they think it’s for them, although it is still what I am good at and want too! I guess that would be bringing attention to the context when communicating to our audience. The context can change, although the content remains the same.
xo
Love the context and the content of this comment, Val! xxoo
What I say & what you hear me say are often two different things – the less I force you to hear what I want you to hear the more likely it is you’ll hear what you need – as I result I often sound smarter than I am & wiser than I intend 🙂
I hear you!
Good luck on The Voice!
I appreciate your voice, Emilie!
Good luck on your audition. If you make it you’ll be adding to the audience for The Voice since I’ve never watched it before. And you’ve made me think about how blogging might make us more brave and more willing to try things. Whether we succeed or fail it’s all potential post material.
This comment is increasing my bravery. Thanks, Chris.
What a wonderful challenge. No surprise, as one could gather from your opening sentence, Ann. You challenge yourself and succeed in so many varied endeavors. Your blog is one I savor at the end of my morning reading. It is a look at things that surround us all that we may fail to notice. Bravo for that. You will always have an attentive audience. 💕
I savor your voice, Van!
I haven’t heard of “The Voice” (perhaps because I don’t have television) but it sounds like a show where you will be able to sing, or maybe even compete with a song? That will probably take a lot of courage (and courage is something you have lots of) and a sense of humour (you have that, too).
I have never heard the sound of your voice, but for me, The Voice of Ann is your blog. 🙂
I take your encouraging voice with me wherever I go, Maureen.
I wish you the best Ann. YOUR voice is beautiful and you’re an inspiration.
Audiences are my forte, as any queen cat knows.
Great voices, felines, and feelings here. Thanks, Maria!
AND you sing????? Good luck you amazing wonderment!
I wonder with amazement at your wonderful chatter!
❤ I can't wait to see you win ! I might start watching the show just to see you!!!! 🙂
It’s unlikely I’ll even get on the show, but I appreciate your masterful and supportive enthusiasm, Colleen!
SOMEBODY has to be on there, it COULD be you. 😉
I love having you in my audience, Colleen!
I do not like the thought of having an audience I don’t like the idea of people watching me mostly when I fall over or walk like I am drunk…………….but the older I get the less it bothers me
The thought of having an audience watching me is making me pretty nervous right now! I’m glad you’re one of the audience members of this blog, Joanne.
PS. Good luck!
P.P.S. Thank you!
Good luck with The Voice. I hope the audience appreciates what you do
I appreciate what you do, Derrick.
You have a LARGE audience here!
You are a WONDERFUL audience.
Reblogged this on KCJones.
Thanks for increasing my audience with your re-blogs!