How do you write stories for specific audiences?

Everyone says to "know your audience", but they aren't very specific about what you need to know. Yes...knowing their interests, needs, and values are good. But, here is your ultimate goal in telling a story that moves people to action: make it as easy as possible for them to understand the meaning you intend. You do this by speaking their language, addressing the challenges they currently face, and ensure they can connect the story you are telling to one they are already living. Concentrate on speaking the language they speak about the problems they face, and you'll be in the fast-lane for getting them to see the meaning you intend in your story.

Your story should serve your audience and not the other way around. 1. Know your audience by finding out their objective and align your storytelling goal to that objective. 2. Assess their knowledge of the subject and adjust your content and language to match 3. Ensure the you refresh stories and case studies based on the audience

Knowing your audience is the biggest factor when writing for specific audiences. As a former ghostwriter, I had to master getting acquainted with new audiences and FAST, so here are a few of my top tips: 1. Research. Find out where your audience hangs out and go there. Are they on social media? Specific forums? 2. Understand their problems. If it’s for a product or company, go look at Google or TrustPilot reviews to see what some common themes are in the problems they face. 3. If on LinkedIn, find top creators that this audience tends to follow. Explore the content those creators post. Look through the comments to see what people have to say about their content. Lots of hidden gems can be found this way!

Understanding your audience's problems and desires unlocks your ability to connect with them and build trust. If your stories possess these ingredients, they're more likely to see themselves in your stories.

When writing stories for specific audiences, it's crucial to understand who you're writing for. This means knowing their interests, preferences, and what resonates with them. Choose a genre and format that align with your audience's tastes, and craft your plot and characters accordingly. Keep your audience in mind as you write, using language and themes that will captivate and engage them. Don't forget to test your story with your audience and refine it based on their feedback. Once you're satisfied, share your story through the appropriate channels to ensure it reaches and resonates with your intended audience.

I only write real-life stories, so my choices here are easier than for fiction writers. My genre is real, honest, and authentic...it takes the shape of the message I am conveying. In an extreme example, consider the eulogy work I do for clients. Some of the stories will have elements of humor. Most will have the heavy weight of legacy and remembrance. It would be a mistake to tell those stories in the genre of a thriller, romance, or fantasy. The format choices I go to are written, live spoken, or recorded. Each of these shade the words and rhythm I choose, but the core of the story remains the same. If you are trying to communicate with real people, in real life, be real, not a caricature.

Follow the same storytelling structure. This is the essence of all storytelling and more widely communication. Always keep the core principals - or layers as I call them in my storytelling model (the sprout model) - this will guide your story. Be sure to know the impact you want to make, the people that you are telling the story to, set starting context and direction, move into the main event and what in particular it is you are addressing, then bring clarity, conclusion and a lasting impression to the end point ... not forgetting to nurture the story with creativity, energy and perspective.

1. Pick the right kind of story: Think about what your audience likes to read. Do they enjoy funny adventures, exciting mysteries, or maybe love stories? This is called the genre. 2. Choose how to tell the story: There are many ways to tell a story! Would your audience prefer a book, a short story online, or maybe even a funny podcast? This is called the format. Remember, the goal is to pick a story and format that will keep your audience interested and wanting more!

More important than selecting your genre or format is selecting distribution. Where will you story live once it's crafted? Where does your audience hang out, where can you reach them and capture their attention best? Nailing your distribution strategy is something folks often leave until later. Afterall, it is the "final" step. But knowing where your story will live often will tell you very quickly which format would be best. And from there, the genre begins to matter less and less. We humans are diverse. We love a myriad of different genres. More important is if your audience can see themselves in the characters of the story - can they see themselves as the hero? If yes, then you've got a story that will resonate.

Yo creo que lo importante es pasar la barrera ficción- emoción. El formato importa, obvio, pero lo más importante es el mensaje. No te pierdas en las formas y ve directo al fondo.

Especially in short-form stories, where you can't set the entire scene, you need to describe it quickly enough to capture attention and keep them reading. I write real-life short stories so I tend to keep the number of characters to a minimum. Their descriptions are only what is necessary for story. Usually it's their actions, words, or a mannerism that needs to be described.

Crear una historia puede convertirse en una "formula" y en mi experiencia se vuelve predecible todo lo que estás contando. Yo creo en las historias reales, donde el personaje es alguien que se parece muchísimo a lo que tu cliente: "Admira" o "No quiere convertirse en", ahí es donde tu relato atrapa la atención, con un personaje muy familiar.

Yo apuesto por la primera persona o por introducir con un diálogo breve con algún personaje que padece el conflicto. El diálogo siempre ayuda al lector a empatizar y a ponerse en situación. Huye de lo complicado. Lo simple siempre gana.

As you read through your written story, put yourself in your audience's mind. Does it make sense? Does it flow? Is there a scene that needs to be described more clearly? Are there extraneous words that can be removed? Anticipate the questions your audience will have after reading your story. Do you want them to have those questions? If not, answer them in your writing.

Escribe como si tu fueras quien está descubriendo o disfrutando o enfrentando algo. No lo hagas contando un cuento, sino transformando a tu audiencia en los héroes de la historia.

Because I write for different audiences and genres, I 1st decide what I want to share, then I write as if I am that audience.

Writing a great story hinges on understanding your audience. Always keep their preferences in mind, but don't forget their dislikes. Tailor your narrative, emotion, and goals accordingly. Crafting discomfort or intentionally unlikable characters can engage and challenge your audience, adding depth and impact to your story. Ultimately, the key to a compelling narrative lies in the balance of knowing what your audience loves and what they might avoid.

Tailoring your stories to specific audiences is about creating a narrative that speaks directly to them, making them feel seen, heard, and understood. Start by identifying your audience's demographics, interests, and pain points. Research their preferences, values, and the type of content they engage with the most. Use language, tone, and themes that are relatable and engaging to your audience. If you're writing for a younger audience, consider using a more casual tone and incorporating contemporary references. For a professional audience, maintain a formal tone and focus on insights and expertise. Incorporate elements that your audience finds appealing, such as humour, suspense, or emotional depth.

Lee en alto. Grábate. Escucha. ¿Qué sientes? Para mí es tan importante leer el relato en alto como escribirlo. Presta atención al tono, ofrece comprensión lectora, puntúa, ofrece reposo. No tengas miedo de saltarte alguna norma con sutileza para forzar alguna entonación.

I have found it extremely helpful to allow my writing to "marinate"...sit a bit before taking it out and reading it. It's then that I decide if changes need be done, or toss the whole thing. Then I find an audience to read it.

Always gain and be open to feedback - either at a review stage or in the moment if your storytelling is live. Qualitative, quantitive feedback is all helpful as well as from different sources. Be open to it ... it helps.

Gather feedback from your audience through surveys, social media interactions, or direct conversations. Use this feedback to refine your story and make it more impactful. By continuously engaging with your audience, you can ensure your stories remain relevant and compelling.

Solicit feedback from members of your target audience during the writing process to ensure that your story resonates with them. Incorporate constructive criticism and make necessary revisions to improve the effectiveness of your storytelling. Conduct focus groups or beta testing to gauge the initial reactions and engagement levels of your audience.

Sharing your story is courageous. Face fear with courage. I found the courage to share my story a few years ago... Something changed that day... I picked up the mic and started speaking. In 2018, I delivered a TEDx talk with a secret sauce for building empathy. Today, I share this sauce with people who want to make our world a more empathic place to live. Join me on this mission. You'll be glad you did. You'll be glad you do. No joke. No lie. Share your journey in a story. Go for it.

Choose the appropriate channels and platforms to distribute your story based on where your audience is most active and engaged. Leverage social media, online communities, book clubs, or local events to promote and share your story with your target demographic. Engage with your audience through discussions, Q&A sessions, or interactive experiences to foster a sense of community and connection.

Writing stories for specific audiences requires thorough research into their demographics, interests, and preferences. Understand their cultural background, language proficiency, and reading habits. Tailor the narrative tone, characters, and themes to resonate with their experiences and values. Incorporate relevant cultural references, slang, or vernacular to create authenticity and connection. Address their pain points, aspirations, and desires to evoke empathy and engagement. By empathetically addressing the unique needs and interests of your audience, you can craft stories that deeply resonate and leave a lasting impact.

The idea of writing to a broader audience is a practice I am currently working on. Although this is leaning toward the writing of stories, being able to write to different groups is a skill set that needs to always be worked on. I have a newsletter here on LinkedIn, that writing is different from the regulatory and criminal report writing I do for work. I mention that because they differ in styles. So that means, having and working on the specific tones and voice I want or need to use. My current answer to how to write to different or specific audiences would simply be to practice writing to a desired group.

Just remember that all communication is storytelling. The moment you view it through that lens you can really open yourself up to enhancing the impacts of what you say and write. Storytelling is not just for that big moment.... it is for the every moment.

By not following the "one-size-fits-all" approach. Each genre has specific audience & they wouldn't like it if the book cover says one thing & the book contains something else altogether. I remember getting fooled into watching a movie once. The trailer had too many horror elements. But the movie was a complex murder mystery with not even a single horror scene! Misguiding the audience will do more harm than good as people tend to have bad impression of the movie when they don't get to watch/ experience what was promised in the teaser/ trailer. Well, there is no rule that the teaser shouldn't be misguiding. But more murder mystery lovers would've watched & enjoyed the movie instead of misguided horror movie lovers getting disappointed.