Know your Audience

Last year my husband and I went to a comedy night at a local theater. The first comedian was very entertaining and super funny. The second performer started ok but then threw out an explicit swear word. The audience tensed. He continued with some off-color jokes and further swearing. Several audience members stood up and walked out. The majority of the crowd stayed, but the atmosphere had changed. We live in a relatively small town, and it's pretty conservative. It was obvious that many people were uncomfortable with the way the show ended.

When you know your audience, your audience knows.

And when you don't, they still know. This experience taught me a valuable lesson. Knowing your audience is critical to any type of communication, whether you are on stage, or posting on a blog, the audience matters.

When you know and understand the people you are speaking (or writing) to, you can tailor your message to them in a way that will be most accepted. Just like the comedian who didn't read the room, not paying attention to your audience can create tension, offense, and miscommunication and may lead to loss of business.

This week we have been writing video scripts for a product of our choice. Part of the process is to peer review our classmate's work. As I read through many of the other scripts it was obvious to me that I was not part of the intended audience of some of the videos. I didn't understand the message or the information being presented. This was not the fault of the writer, they had written for a target audience and I was not included.

Writing for a target audience can include industry-specific language, jargon, and ideas. If you are writing for the masses your work must be able to be understood by anyone who might read it.

The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself. -Peter F. Drucker

When understanding the needs and desires of our customers is our main focus we can better communicate with them and provide what they need.

2.7 Professional- Post 3