Blog Takeover: Connecting With Your Readers
No matter what format you are writing for, as an author it is your job to find a way to connect with your readers. It's your job to tear down the natural divide and invite them into the world that you have created. Without that connection the reader will simply move on to something new, as there are no shortage of options to them, especially in today's world.
I offer up to you these tips to better connect with your audience.
1. Appeal to the reader's emotions. If the reader is emotionally involved they will not lose interest.
2. Answer questions the reader might have. If you can anticipate the questions the reader might have, then make sure you provide them with those answers in your work and the piece will be more complete.
3. Have a consistent voice. It's easy for an audience to tell when you are not authentic. Be yourself throughout your writing.
4. Evoke curiosity. Give your reader a reason to keep turning the pages or moving through the article. Believe that what you have to say demands interest.
5. Have a plan. Your reader will be impressed that you made a plan and didn't ask them what they wanted to do or pick a place just because it's close to you.
6. Keep things fresh. Your audience will appreciate spontaneity. They're sick of you writing the same thing every Friday night. It would be nice to change it up a little bit.
7. Be complimentary. Your reader likes to hear nice things every now and then. When you first meet them you said nice things all the time and now it's like you don't even care.
8. Lend a hand. The sink is full of dishes and you're writing? Your audience don't ask you to do much, just rinse the dishes you use and put them in the dishwasher.
9. Dress to impress. Are you really wearing that again? It's not even clean. It's your reader's birthday and you knew that. Can't you just dress like an adult?
10. Really? If you loved your audience you wouldn't be acting like this. They thought they knew you.
11. Get out of my apartment, you loser. The reader's friends told them that you were a jerk, but they don't listen. How could anybody love you when you don't even love yourself. Don't call the reader again. Oh and have fun being a failed writer.
If you use these tips you may be able to connect with readers, which, more so than the quality of the words on the page, is what makes a great writer. Good luck and happy writing!
-Nick Tory is the author of the Johnny Book series. Visit http://www.johnnybooks.com or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter@nick_tory.
I offer up to you these tips to better connect with your audience.
1. Appeal to the reader's emotions. If the reader is emotionally involved they will not lose interest.
2. Answer questions the reader might have. If you can anticipate the questions the reader might have, then make sure you provide them with those answers in your work and the piece will be more complete.
3. Have a consistent voice. It's easy for an audience to tell when you are not authentic. Be yourself throughout your writing.
4. Evoke curiosity. Give your reader a reason to keep turning the pages or moving through the article. Believe that what you have to say demands interest.
5. Have a plan. Your reader will be impressed that you made a plan and didn't ask them what they wanted to do or pick a place just because it's close to you.
6. Keep things fresh. Your audience will appreciate spontaneity. They're sick of you writing the same thing every Friday night. It would be nice to change it up a little bit.
7. Be complimentary. Your reader likes to hear nice things every now and then. When you first meet them you said nice things all the time and now it's like you don't even care.
8. Lend a hand. The sink is full of dishes and you're writing? Your audience don't ask you to do much, just rinse the dishes you use and put them in the dishwasher.
9. Dress to impress. Are you really wearing that again? It's not even clean. It's your reader's birthday and you knew that. Can't you just dress like an adult?
10. Really? If you loved your audience you wouldn't be acting like this. They thought they knew you.
11. Get out of my apartment, you loser. The reader's friends told them that you were a jerk, but they don't listen. How could anybody love you when you don't even love yourself. Don't call the reader again. Oh and have fun being a failed writer.
If you use these tips you may be able to connect with readers, which, more so than the quality of the words on the page, is what makes a great writer. Good luck and happy writing!
-Nick Tory is the author of the Johnny Book series. Visit http://www.johnnybooks.com or follow him on Facebook or on Twitter
Have a plan and take charge! Your readers dont want to play the "I don't know, what do you want to do" game :p
ReplyDeleteExcellent point Jennifer. We all want to avoid the "it's not your writing, it's me" conversation.
ReplyDeleteI like the part about keeping your readers emotionally involved, and also writing with your authentic voice at all times. I'm not sure I understand the last few tips though...
ReplyDelete