Know your audience. That’s one of the golden keys that opens the door to successful writing. Whether copy for selling a product or a blog article about teething. It doesn’t matter. Both need to be written to a specific audience. Aka- a reader avatar or reader persona. (Don’t worry, there is a free worksheet at the bottom to help you.)
But what do you do if you don’t have an audience yet? You can’t exactly survey them. Luckily, you don’t need to have an audience to build a reader profile. I now do an annual reader survey that gives me insight into my readers. My avatar has evolved as I’ve gotten real-life responses. But to start with, I created my reader avatar out of thin air. I just imagined this person I was writing to.
Having this ideal reader (a blog avatar) in mind when I write has been invaluable. I do this not only with my blog, but also with the products I create. For example, right now I’m working on a finance product. Unlike my blog avatar, my finance avatar is having trouble with money. They don’t budget, and think budgeting is difficult. As a consequence, they’re having constant money struggles.
Side note: You probably already have a blog if you’re on here reading about building a reader avatar. But I want to direct you to my post How to Start a Successful Blog. It will help make sure you have all the little things done that will lead to a successful blog in the long-term. You might also find the Blogging Resources page helpful.
I also have a FREE Printable Blogging Binder– 50+ page for you to organize and grown your blog.
Who Is Your Reader Avatar?
There is a worksheet below to help you decide who your reader avatar is.
For new bloggers, you’ll fill out the worksheet and start writing. Over time, you’ll see which posts are resonating with your audience. What posts are getting traffic? Which posts are readers commenting on? Which are getting Facebook likes? You can use this information to adjust your avatar.
You may discover your avatar loves stuff that surprises you! I started the Inspiration section of the website to branch out a little. I amazed at the positive response I’ve received. My avatar has evolved to reflect this.
This isn’t a “once and done” task. My avatar has evolved over the years. In fact, in creating these worksheets, I’ve gone back and re-done my avatar in more detail! It’s been helpful with my financial product in particular.
Why Have a Reader Avatar?
- It makes your blogging more personal. Your writing will sound more personal when you’re talking TO your one, ideal reader rather than AT a general audience. This will also be helpful if you’re writing copy for a product or doing a video. Both will come across as more authentic when you talk to a particular person rather than to a group of people.
- It provides you with content for your website. By analyzing the problems your reader is having, you automatically have content ideas.
- On the converse, it will help you weed out ideas and areas that aren’t working for your blog. Don’t waste your time on stuff your avatar isn’t interested in…even if it seems to be “in your niche.”
- It will provide you with opportunities to monetize your blog. If you dig deep into your avatar, you can see what she is spending money on. Then you can be an affiliate for those products. You’ll also know when something is completely NOT something your reader would buy.
Free Printable Reader Avatar Worksheet
Instructions:
• Print options: regular paper works.
• The file is in pdf below. Or click on the images. Each will open in a new window and you can either print directly or save to computer.
• The default size of these is full-page.
Reader Avatar Worksheet <<<Click there to download pdf of reader avatar worksheet
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