How to Start Writing For an Audience (And Not Yourself)
By: Brandon Bell
Tags: How To, Writing Tips, Writing Life, Blogging, Writing

When you first hear about starting a blog, you become fascinated with the fact that you can potentially make money writing about your life. While this is a dream job for some writers it can be a misleading idea. People are constantly worried about their lives and how they can live a better life.

What many beginner bloggers (including myself) fail to realize is that not all of our blog posts can be about us. We have to find that bridge between where we can write for other people and share some of our personal experiences. It can be easy to write about yourself because you are the one that’s living your life. No one has a more realistic view of your life than you do.

There is always the idea of writing about ourselves and receiving great feedback. This idea can become true but is not realistic for most beginner writers. You may think that your personal stories need to be heard by millions of people but truth be told that they don’t. An experience that you have might spark up some special feelings for you, these same feelings may not spark the interest of the reader. If anything, it might steer them away from your writing.

Readers don't like to read about someone who is so egotistical in their writing. I will admit that I have some stories of my own that are special to me, but I’m trying my best to save those stories for times that I can teach the reader something from that story. As a writer, your audience is something that should matter a lot to you. It’s ok to have your personal reasons for writing, but how much more fulfilling would your writing be if it helped somebody else out from time to time.

When you write for your audience, you build a significant relationship with them that will also help them to stick around for your next story as well. Even with my early experience with writing, I have figured out a few ways to start writing more for my audience. These tips should help you to stay away from making your blog posts a personal diary.

“Stop running side races and wonder why the finish line doesn’t have anyone at the end of it clapping for you.”

― Richie Norton

Minimize How Many Times You Use “I” Statements

When engaging with the infamous “I” statements try to only use them a few times throughout your article. If you’ve ever read a self-improvement book, you might have realized how little the author uses these personal statements. The author tries their best to talk to you and focus on how they can make your life better, not theirs.

People are looking for life advice 24/7, they are naturally drawn to blog posts that guide them through their problems. This will not be possible if they are consuming information that doesn’t involve them. Readers will feel thought about during their day after reading an article that was made for them.

If you are going to use “I” statements throughout your article, be sure to use them when trying to teach a lesson. This should be the only time where your experience should come into play with your writing. It will also come to the reader as a surprise. When this method is used correctly, readers will gain more from your experience than you would’ve thought they had.

If the reader is looking at a well-organized article that is directed towards them, then they will be more open to hearing what you have to say about your thoughts and actions.

A great way to let your readers know that you are thinking of them is by using the words “you” and “we” a lot. As a writer, when you are talking to the reader as if you were their mentor, you will feel more in control of your writing. Your readers will have someone to look up to and will have more respect for you when reading. If you don’t want to come off as too demanding then you should resort to using “we” at times. This lets the readers know that they are not alone in their journey to self-improvement.

Make these simple changes in your writing and watch how much your audience grows.