What about audience?

So, you have heard about blogging. You have starting following a few blogs. You have heard your friends, even your non-techie friends, talk about how much they enjoy blogging and now you are ready to give it a try. But what about your audience? Who is going to listen to what you have to say? Let’s attempt to break it down a bit to eliminate this hang-up and make it easier to get rolling with worrying so much about this question.

Audience of One

For a newbie blogger finding your voice will happen once you start committing your thoughts and ideas to be published. Focus on expressing yourself in a way that feels comfortable. Work at developing a personal style. Try not to jump around and copy everyone else’s technique, but instead work on language that feels like you. Once you start articulating messages on the topics that interest you, that fit your blog, and fit your style you are ready to take the next step towards fame…or at least towards lunchtime conversation.

Audience of A Few

Now that you are beginning to feel comfortable with blogging and your own style, it is time to start getting the word out. A great intermediate step is to recruit friends, family, and colleagues to start reading your blog. Explain that it is new. Explain that you would appreciate and value their thoughts and suggestions. Pay careful attention to the comments of people you trust. Now is the time to proactively request criticism. Let them know that you consider them part of your team. Part of your challenge is to embrace criticism and not become defensive. Trust your instincts when evaluating input to incorporate that which is valuable and discard what does not seem to fit where you are heading. Don’t worry if you put out a few clunker posts. The next great post is just about to happen!

Audience of Many

So you have started to find your style and you have received some good input. What’s next? You are ready for prime time! In coming post we will talk about an number of ways increase readership. Meanwhile, remember that Audience of a Few? Now is a real good time encourage those friends, family, and colleagues to start spreading the word about your blog. Ask them and remind them occasionally to let others know about your blog. It’s called viral marketing and it’s effective. You are on your way. Enjoy the ride.