Who are you writing for? No, not your motivation but your potential readers.
Study the magazine you want to submit to, study the demographics where your book will be distributed, get a good idea who reads your blog… Those are the people that you are writing for.
Consider the age, gender, cultural personality, economic status and political affiliations when writing in order to avoid unintentional insults, miscommunications, and strong negative reactions. Of course if your writing is meant to evoke emotional responses, then knowing your audience will help you address the points that you feel are important.
It is unlikely that Eartha Kitt singing “C’Est Si Bon” in the 50’s would evoke the same reaction as “So Alive” by Love and Rockets in the 80’s. Obviously if you want to appeal to a specific age group then it is worth your time to learn about the songs, movies and attitudes that were prominent to that population. The same goes for common expressions and catch phrases of an era; you’ve heard those jokes that start “you know you’re old when a CD was something you invested in at a bank…” Through the years expressions have taken on new meanings, so use the definition that will have a clear meaning to your chosen audience.
Don’t write a how-to article on changing a home furnace system for the city apartment dweller, or an urban guide to the subway system for an upstate farmer. While there are always exceptions, don’t expect a 20-year old college student to want to learn about retirement communities or a 70-year old grandmother to be interested in your average dance club. Be aware of any cultural qualities that might affect your message – the expression “in your face” would be regarded negatively in the Asian community where they value personal space.
Many years ago, one of our American Presidents allegedly made a huge faux-pas when he ended a dramatic and otherwise well received speech with the classic two-finger Victory sign; only it seems that several countries, the one he was visiting included, the V-sign with the palm inward is seen as it is an obscene insulting gesture of defiance. Do you know if your chosen terminology holds the same meaning in the region your words will be read? One American drink company planned a huge world-wide marketing campaign only to learn that the language in one of the target countries turned the product name into “phlegm”.
If the purpose of your article is to stir up emotions and debate, it is important to know which topics will ensure that your message is received as intelligent and relevant. “Attacking” basic core principles and insulting people for who and what they are will only ensure that your message if greeted with close-minded hostility. Use analogies that will actually have meaning to your readers, something that they can relate to – someone who lives in the Tropics is less likely to worry about the deep snow of a blizzard. Read an established magazine’s articles to learn more about its audience – do the articles talk to a younger generation? Are they written for the average college graduate? Are the topics generally urban matters?
Communication is key in writing just as it is in public speaking, marketing, politics and entertainment. Make sure that you are actually saying what YOU mean to say.
Writing exercise: Think back to your own childhood, what were some of the popular television shows, songs, movies and books. Why do you think each of these “themes” were received better than others. Were there any attitudes that were socially acceptable then that would be considered offensive now? In “I Love Lucy” it was considered appropriate that Desi forbid Lucy to hold an outside job; how would that attitude be viewed today?
Writing prompt: Write a sales pitch for life insurance addressed to a young family man in his thirties – an older couple looking at retirement – a single college student. Try writing a sales pitch for a condo in a community with age-appropriate social activities for each of the previous groups.
