Who Is Your Ideal Reader?

Stephen King discusses the concept of the Ideal Reader in his book On Writing. An Ideal Reader is who you write for, the one person you most want to impress. Preferably, this is a real person, and not an imaginary ideal. His was his wife, Tabitha.

Who do you want most to impress with what you do? Once you find the Ideal Reader of your life, you will know how you want to live it.

Why the “Ideal Reader” concept works

This concept makes sense because you cannot write for a vague ‘everybody’. On the other hand, no writer writes for just himself, else he would simply journal and not bother making his writing public.

With regard to living in general, many of us may also have an Ideal Reader. For example, some people have God as their Ideal Reader. This is the person they live to please, whose approval they seek. For others, the Ideal Reader may be a parent, or their child.

Your Ideal Reader may be you

On the other side of the fence, some say that a writer just writes what he has to write. According to this view, the writer has ideas and values in his heart that he simply needs to express, addressed to no one in particular. If his writing is any good, the audience will find him.

In the same vein, you may choose to live life for yourself and no one else. You are your own Ideal Reader, and live to please no one except yourself.

You cannot please everyone

Lately I’ve struggled with writing this blog because there are four groups of readers.

1. People who find this blog through a search engine. These people don’t know me and don’t care to. They’re just after specific information, and may click an advertisement on their way through.

2. Regular readers are leave comments and let me know that someone out there is reading this stuff I write. For this group, I wrote How to Write A Personal Creed which I’m happy to say made the rounds in the personal development blogging niche.

3. Specific people in my life whose opinions I care about. I don’t talk to them about the blog but should they find it on their own, I would like them to like it. Parallel Universes was written for one such person.

4. Finally, I write for me. If I write something that I can’t feel proud of, I will delete the draft. I wrote Let Go of Expectations as a reminder to myself on how to live my relationships.

Do you find this concept useful?

When I remembered Stephen King’s advice on writing, I realised that I need to decide who my Ideal Reader is. Only then will this blog have a clear focus. The same goes for my life, and yours too.

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62 replies on “Who Is Your Ideal Reader?”

Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but other than that, this is excellent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.

My ideal reader is interested in natural health, would like to learn about herbs and herbal healing, perhaps wants to improve their diet and lifestyle. But she (or he) is busy and occupied with many other things. There are kids to care for, friends to socialize with, a job to attend to, a life to live. But my reader really would like to get more informed about healthy living.

Hi Daphne – thank you so much for this reply to my post .. and to my reasons for writing my blog .. you’ve definitely helped me with some ideas and thoughts that I’ve been working on.

Your wite exceptionally well and I so appreciate your appreciation of my aspirations in giving my mother something to live for, while she moves on … and I hope others to whom these posts can be read as a daily letter .. or as stimulating story .. which trigger other thoughts pertinent to that family, those friends.

I am overwhelmed .. so much so .. I don’t know what to do!! I think go to bed and have sweet dreams ..

By the way .. I had actually printed out Laura Larsen’s book “Facing The Final Mystery” .. so that I could order it – I’ll do that tomorrow early. It looks very interesting. My mother is in a Nursing Centre for the dying and I’ve been with two friends .. while their wife, or their father died .. and it’s been a good learning curve – as I’ve been able to be positive for them – whiel my uncle, who is also part of this process lost his wife (my father’s sister) 4 years ago & he’s a great boon & support .. he says I keep him alive too!!

I am going to take my thoughts to my bed!! Thank you so much again – on what’s turned out to be a wonderful day .. and my Mum laughed and took an interest again ..

All the very best – with love Hilary

Hi Hilary,

“Giving my mother something to live for, while she moves on…” summarises your blog and your life mission right now so beautifully. That’s what struck me the moment I visited your blog. You’re also very wise in using this time to prepare for the tough times later when you’re without your mum. My mum is my staunchest ally and I hate to imagine what life would be like without her.

You’ll find Laura’s book very useful, I’m sure. Apart from the practical tips, contact details and referrals, just the stories that she tells about other people who have walked the final journey will fortify you. Maybe your uncle would like to read it too.

Glad to hear your mum laughed and took an interest – laughter is one of the best ways to deal with a sad and difficult situation. It reminds us that in the end, and at the end, life can be joyful.

Hi Daphne ..that was a really interesting post & the comments .. I’ve read the lot .. and am at this moment refining my ideal reader ..

I’ve always written expressive general letters to friends and family (when I was travelling and subsequently returned to the UK) and so when my mother had her strokes just over 2 years ago .. it seemed sensible to let everyone know – but I didn’t have the energy to telephone everyone .. some yes, some keep in contact that way – so I started writing regular updates .. every +/- 2 months (not expecting it to go on 2 years!).

It’s had lots of benefits, apart from updating everyone a) it generates cards and letters to my Ma – so she can stay in the real world (she hasn’t lost her marbles .. yes some – but not that you’d know at times!!) b) people have commented how positive I’ve been c) they’ve loved the stories and interactions I’ve had with my mother .. i.e. being prepared with anecdotes, stories etc … being prepared to extrapolate ideas (triggers) that will stimulate her (& most importantly to make her laugh or smile): often being sent home to google for more information!! d) they’ve also said I should ‘write a book’ so that others can benefit from my experiences .. not just about us, but others in the hospitals we’ve been in ..

I’m working with Gio and this comment will help me as I work this process through .. I could add on – but enough is enough!!

Thanks for this post – it’s really useful ..

All the best – Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters

Hilary,

I’ve just written an entire blog post in response to this comment and your blog in general. Thanks for sharing the genesis of your blog and what it’s all about. It’s an amazing blog and you’re an amazing lady for doing this.

I would have guessed that your Ideal Reader is your mother, and that is just perfect. There is no need to change this, in my totally irrelevant opinion. Sure, many others read your blog and it will bring inspiration to many, especially if you write a book about your experiences. Stephen King had millions of actual readers, yet he still wrote for one person above all, his wife. In the same way, I gather from reading your blog that you’re writing for one person above all, your mum. I can’t tell you how moved I am.

I’m so glad you’re working with Gio. She’s strong and wise and is a great person to work through the process with you. I’m rooting for you and will be happy to help if any way too.

My ideal reader is someone who is looking for fun ways to get frugal with living. I hope these readers have a sense of humor too. 😉

I’ve seen a few mentions of King’s book and I’m going to pick it up. So many writers have expressed how his advice has helped them find further clarity in their writing. Perhaps my “Ideal Reader” will change after reading his book – but maybe not. 😉

Hi Fox,

I love your sense of humour and am sure that your readers do too, which is why they follow your blog in the first place! King’s book is definitely worth a read. You’ll get so much more from the horse’s mouth than from the subjective interpretations the rest of us write about. Happy reading!

Deep article. My ideal reader is myself most times. If I write an article and it’s not up to my standards I will discard it. Then again, my mother can be my ideal reader. I know if she doesn’t understand a sentence, expression then my piece failed to convey a specific message. I would like to do a guest post.

Peace,
Omar

Hi Omar,

I like the idea that your mother is your Ideal Reader. Someone told me that in some medical schools, doctors are trained to explain a disease in a way that their grandmothers could understand – this was to stop the jargon and improve patient communication. I thought this was a great practice, and so I think your mother as Ideal Reader is great too! If she gets the message, then probably lots of other people will as well. Thanks for sharing.

This is definite point that I hadn’t seen brought up. Our article are definitely written for various readers from one article to the next. Using examples of your articles that you wrote for separate readerships makes the points factual, and allows readers to see where you targeted a different group or person.

On a side note, sometimes we have an image of the perfect reader that is so far off from who our readers actually are, and after finding out more about them, realize that they are actually more of an appropriate reader-base than our perfect readership would have been.

Armen,

You made a good point, the same one Albert did, about writing for our actual readers as opposed to an Ideal Reader. I don’t think Stephen King wanted us to write for a perfect person. His Ideal Reader was an actual, real, imperfect person; just that this person is the most important reader of the whole lot. Your point still holds that we have actual readers and need to take their profile and needs into account. Thanks for this great perspective!

Hi Daphne. I enjoy reading your blog. Your posts are always very thought-provoking for me and a pleasure to read. I understand where you are coming from about your Ideal Reader. I’ve recently been struggling with what to write and it’s because I’ve switched gears to write for people who I believe are reading. Interestingly, when I first started blogging I was “innocent” in the sense that I had fewer readers and commenters and it was easier to write. I seem to feel freer to write for myself and know that people will be inspired wherever they are at.

Hi Davina,

I appreciate your kind and encouraging words. Innocence is bliss when it comes to blogging huh? I started out pretty much the same way, writing for myself. Then I realised there were people actually reading and that changed things quite a bit. I’m glad you took some time out and came back more sure of who you’re writing for. I think I’m going to start writing for myself a little more too.

Hi Daphne

You have a very nice blog and a great community. And everytime I come visit I feel more joyful 🙂
Thank you for your kind words about my work, it meant alot to me coming from you.

Have a Happy Easter!
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

Hi Giovanna,

Aw, thanks for your kind words. Sometimes I want to make my blog more like yours – focusing on real life stories – then I tell myself that you’re doing a great job and I should leave it to the expert, and go find another niche for myself! 🙂

Hey Daphne! My Ideal Reader would be anyone that’s open minded and who is interested in growth. That’s pretty much it. I’m glad you wrote about this. It can definitely bring a lot of clarity to your blog and writing if you know exactly who you’re writing to.

Hey Broderick,

You’re so right about the clarity and writing. When I know who the Ideal Reader for a post is, the writing comes so much more easily. I’m wondering if it makes sense to have an Ideal Reader for the whole blog or just for each post… I like your simple definition of your Ideal Reader. Thanks for sharing!

Hey Daphne, this is really a useful post. Never heard of the Ideal Reader before. I have three of the 4 groups you describe, although I’m the opposite of the third one. I actually felt weird when I found out that some of the people I care about was reading my blog. 😀 And as time goes on I’m finding that I don’t care so much about new readers, I just aim at my existing reader base. Not sure if that’s a good thing? Hehe!

Hi Albert,

I know what you mean about people you care about reading your blog. When a friend tells me they found my blog I say to myself “Oh no!” and it’s really weird. It’s easy to see why you aim more at your existing reader base… because your base is so large! Your blog is a great sanctuary were people find good sense, compassion, and humility all in one. As you know, I’m a fan.

I loved Steven King’s book On Writing. I remember thinking that my ideal “novel fiction” reader was my boyfriend. But for my blog, that’s not the case. Actually, my ideal readers are a lot more like me than my boyfriend would ever be.

To be honest when I read Steve King’s book I was writing a novel (NaNoWriMo if you’ve ever heard about it) and I never considered who my ideal reader was in terms of my blog. I consider who reads my blog all the time, and who I want to read it, but just not from the perspective of ideal readers.

Thanks for this food for thought! 🙂

Hi Nathalie,

Wow I didn’t know you were a published novelist! That’s really cool. I would have guessed that your Ideal Readers were other ‘billionaire women’, women like you! I can see why your boyfriend wouldn’t be part of that group 🙂 I guess it’s not necessary to have an Ideal Reader, though it’s interesting that the concept works so well for King. Like you, I too consider my actual readers. Thanks for sharing your writing approach.

Daphne

I’ve never thought about this before and I have to say it’s a really helpful idea.

I’d really like to touch people and inspire them to change, so my imaginary ideal reader is someone who’s a violent jerk, who reads my blog and suddenly ‘sees the light’. I doubt however such a person exists.

If I’m honest with myself, my ideal reader is me. I often read back older posts and laugh at my own jokes and am often impressed by some of the things I write about. It sounds strange, but it’s true.

LOL Ian

Hey Ian,

I love your imaginary ideal reader! I have an equivalent – someone who is unhappy with a messed up life, who will stumble across my blog and become happy and fulfilled. And then I realise that maybe I am or was that person! 😉 I know what you mean about reading our older posts – sometimes I can’t believe I wrote what I did. I ask myself one of two questions: “Am I really that wise?” or “Am I really that clueless?” LOL

Daphne,
Very good rundown and the concept.
My best reader is me – I actually write for myself. I also believe what I write might be useful for others too. I write about my personal experiences and practices and try testing it over time. Blog seems to be the best way to do it. 😉 I write to my values. Some of these are time, practical doable stuff. I like clear straightforward content too. I am easy reader.;)
Checking on the book – thanks for the pointer.

Hi Alik,

It’s good to know who you write for, isn’t it? In fact I think blogs started out with the blogger writing for himself. Only later did blogs evolve to a mass communication tool. So you are a blogger in the true sense of the word!

Hi Daphne, the concept of ideal reader is truly insightful. I don’t define my ideal reader before.
Thanks for sharing, Daphne. Your article is meaningful to me. 🙂

Hi Arswino,

Thanks for your comment and encouragement. I’m always happy to see you here, and am glad you found the concept useful.

Jocelyn,

I admire your clarity in knowing who your Ideal Reader is. Like JD, yours is a specific person, true to Stephen King’s concept of the Ideal Reader. And I’m encouraged to know that you write differently when you write for your best friend. It’s nice to know the concept works. You have a happy Easter, Jocelyn!

Wow, great question. I think that has definitely evolved quite a bit over the past year (I’ve almost been writing for a year!). At the beginning, I didn’t know what I was doing. I started with the intent of just starting because I was tired of just talking about it. I would say that my ideal reader is someone interested in bettering themselves, their community, and their financial position. I’m not interested in showing people how to be rich per se, but to be financially independent because financial independence buys the most precious commodity you have, time.

Thanks for bringing up this topic!
-Dustin

Hi Dustin,

A year passes quickly, doesn’t it? I see your blog has evolved too, and I like it! Like you, I started blogging because I’d heard so much about it and wanted to see what the big deal was. I’ve learnt so much along the way and that has been mentally stimulating and fun. I like your focus on helping people to redeem their time – you’re right that it’s more precious than money – it’s all we have on this earth, actually. Keep up your meaningful mission!

Hi Daphne,
A very useful concept indeed. Actually I haven’t thought clearly about it before. Writing is bringing us a great solace and a joy. But who is the ideal reader? Actually you’ve made me think about it. Thanks a lot. Honestly it’s pretty hard.But I’m gonna figure it out.
And I truly appreciate your honesty.( though people have mentioned it already couldn’t help mentioning it)

And Daphne I love your new theme.This is the best theme you’ve ever used
( for me) looks charming and peaceful.

Hey Vikum,

You know, I knew about the Ideal Reader concept for some time and am only recently applying it. So we’re thinking about it together. Thanks for the compliment about honesty – I didn’t realise I was being that honest, just telling it as it was. I guess that’s honesty! Glad you like the new theme, it’s my favourite too!

Michelle,

It’s interesting you say that you wrote for younger self, because I was just thinking that perhaps I’m writing for my older self. I’m writing about the person I want to be proud of when I’m lying on my deathbed. You have the perfect Ideal Reader though, as you know that person intimately and so can write powerfully. Great comment, thanks!

Interesting post Daphne. My ideal reader….hmmmm……well there is this friend of mine with so many different faces, sitting with me, listening to me talk when I write. She is an imaginary being – the soulful representation of all of you. 🙂

Hi Sunny,

Gosh, I thought you were referring to a real person, like your wife or daughter sitting across from you, until I realise you meant that you’re writing for all readers. I think that’s what you meant anyway? Glad to see you back after what you’ve been through.

Hi Daphne,
Like others here, I appreciate very much, your honesty in this post. Very nicely said.

Who is my ideal reader? I wonder if that’s not an evolving process. And that all said, I’m not saying that one way is better or worse than another – only different. When I started out, I was pulled by just getting a single visitor. Eventually that led to wanting bigger numbers from Digg or Stumbleupon. And then, it changed to really getting to know my visitors. And giving them something inspirational or meaningful in some way.

This is good stuff to think about Daphne. And to think if I’m really doing what I want to be doing.

Lance,

Your questions are so humble and yet so insightful. I’m a great fan of how to get people to think with those thoughtful, sincere questions that you ask yourself as much as you ask anyone else. The moment I read your words about the ‘evolving process’ I realised that of course that must be true. Perhaps I’m evolving and that’s why I’m trying to write for so many different Ideal Readers, and it will resolve once I decide on one Ideal Reader. Thanks for sharing about how blogging changed for you – I know exactly what you mean. When I started I was so chuffed to see just one more subscriber, one new commentator, and yet this process never ends right? The ‘target numbers’ just change, that’s all. Your comment lighted up my day, as usual.

Daphne,

This is great post and it came at a good time! I’ve been dealing issue a lot lately. When I first started blogging, I used to hit the “publish” button and say “go where you’re meant to go.” There was something freeing about this. I didn’t try to put a name on the person I was writing for. I just felt there was someone out there…wow, this sounds a bit like the X-files. :~)

Now, I’ve learned to enjoy comments, both making and receiving them. I like the dialogue and the sharing. I like getting to know the people who visit my site and visiting theirs. I’ve been lucky to find a wonderful community of bloggers who seem to be of like mind and they’ve become real people to me.

However, I am more conscious of what they might think about a post. Sometimes this is good and sometimes it messes my head. I walk a tightrope in my head between my ideal reader and my critical reader. But that’s part of my growth…finding my balance.

Sara,

I love your practice of hitting the publish button and saying “go where you are meant to go”. That demonstrates so much trust in the value of your work and in the wondrous working of the universe. I started off like that too, writing posts that I trusted somebody somewhere would read. And I went through the same phase of finally getting readers who commented, and starting to slant my writing more and more towards those readers. Thanks for sharing, because you are not alone in this. You’re right that it’s all about balance, and balance is never ‘achieved’, it is a constant process. I love your comment Sara. Thank you!

Beautiful post.

You shared a lot of great insight in a nice, conversational, unstuffy way.

My ideal reader is my sister. I want to share the best insights I learn in life to help her have the best life she can have. That said, she doesn’t actually enjoy reading on the Web so now I’m going to write simple books for her.

I am a fan of impress yourself first, so I write to make sure it’s information I can use to change the game, but I also temper it for different personas. I use my mentees as a test. One challenge is that I’m at Microsoft so there’s a lot of culture and language that’s not common outside of Microsoft. I’ve also been in software engineering for a long time, which tends to be complicated. What I challenge myself to do is write as simply as possible while compacting and sharing as much insight as possible. I’m still learning and improving … that’s the path I’m on.

JD,

Thanks for your kind words. You’re the first person to have an actual Ideal Reader, as in Stephen King’s meaning of Ideal Reader as a specific, real person in your life. I think that’s wonderful, and your sister is so blessed to have you writing for her. In the process you’re also helping so many other people. I didn’t know you work for Microsoft as a software engineer and I’m glad to have learnt something about you. Thanks for sharing that. Your blog is clearly growing from strength to strength and I’m a keen follower!

Hi Daphne

This a great post, I love your honest. Stumbled!
I write for the philosophy that Imperfect Action is better than No action. My mission is to urge people to take Action with there life. So I don’t think so much about writing for an ideal reader. I write to spread the philosophy in stories, quotes etc.and who ever find the message rings in their heart – that is my ideal reader.
I don’t know if it is the right write way to write, but that is what I am doing.

Thank you for sharing.
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

hi Giovanna,

Thanks for the Stumble! I’m a great admirer of your blog, and often tell myself that I’d like Joyful Days to evolve in the same direction as Imperfect Action – sharing real life stories that inspire. You do such a good job of that! And everything about your blog is so consistent – as you say it’s all about taking action. I love what you write and so do many others.

Tess,

I listened to the audio version of King’s book at least 3 times – all 8 CDs worth of it! I like your clarity and brevity in describing your Ideal Reader. You certainly know what you’re doing, and I’m impressed.

Hi Daphne!

I love the honesty of your post. Not many people are so open when it comes to writing. So bravo to you for being so open. As someone who has been writing professionally and non-professionally for 19 years, your struggle is so typical. I actually have two posts coming up on this very topic.

For me, I learned, that the best thing to do is to write what you feel inspired to write. You should watch that TED speech with Elizabeth Gilbert. Let me know if you are interested in seeing this and I can pass on the link. 🙂

Hi Nadia,

Thanks for your encouragement. I’ve found that the longer I blog, the more open I become. This has been my greatest fear about blogging, and therefore perhaps provided the greatest growth. I’m starting to understand what other bloggers say too, that when they write honestly, they get more authentic replies and engagement from readers too. I’m learning that humans like to connect to humans, not perfect know-it-all writing machines. I actually posted the Elizabeth Gilbert video on my blog some weeks ago! It is a wonderful video. And I’m looking forward to your upcoming posts – I can learn so much from your years of experience!

Hi Daphne!

I started my blog for myself, not thinking anyone would know to even find it. Deep down, I was hoping to find a common connection with others and to learn — both of which I have and am very grateful for.

I guess I am writing for people “out there” who are not looking to live a “conventional” life, meanwhile allowing me to work through my stuff.

Hey Middle Way,

When I first found your blog, I suspected as much because you are totally anonymous on that. After months of reading your posts, I realised that your choice was a good one in the sense that you can write totally honestly about your life, without feeling too exposed. Unlike my different decision to reveal who I am, and sometimes that means I am guarded in what I write because I don’t know who is reading this. It’s great that both models seem to work – I certainly enjoy following you through your deliberations on the lifestyle you want, and it’s great seeing so much progress in such a short time!

Hi Daphne – This idea of an Ideal Reader I have come across before, but didn’t give much thought to until I read your post. There is a lot of advice on finding an “audience” for your blog, but I like the idea of an Ideal Reader because it’s so simple, yet I can see where it would be a powerful focusing tool. I’ll have to think more about this – thanks!

Hi Amanda,

I too asked myself if an Ideal Reader meant the same thing as a ‘target audience’, and decided they were different. You’re right that the Ideal Reader is a simple concept, whereas ‘target audience’ sounds like marketing jargon. The Ideal Reader is much more focused too, I agree, because you can literally see one person’s face as you write your words. Glad the concept is helpful to you!

@ Hilda,

Your experience resonates with me. The first few months of blogging, I had so much to write that it just poured out of me naturally. Ironically I had few readers then.Ｎｏｗ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　　ｈａｖｅ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｒｅａｄｅｒｓ，　ｉｔ’ｓ　ｈａｒｄｅｒ　ｔｏ　ｗｒｉｔｅ．　Ｌｉｆｅ　ｉｓ　ｆｕｌｌ　ｏｆ　ｉｒｏｎｉｅｓ　ｈｕｈ？　Ｉ　ｄａｒｅｓａｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｅｘｐｅｒｉｅｎｃｅ　ｉｓ　ｓｈａｒｅｄ　ｂｙ　ｍａｎｙ　ｂｌｏｇｇｅｒｓ．　Ｔｈａｎｋｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｌｉｎｋ　ｔｏ　ＰｒｏＢｌｏｇｇｅｒ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｓｉｔｅ　ｓｅｅｍｓ　ｄｏｗｎ　ｎｏｗ　ｓｏ　Ｉ’ｌｌ　ｔｒｙ　ａｇａｉｎ　ｌａｔｅｒ．

＠　Ｃｏｒｅｙ，

Ｉｔ’ｓ　ａ　ｇｒｅａｔ　ｉｄｅａ　ｔｏ　ｈａｖｅ　ａｎ　Ｉｄｅａｌ　Ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ａｓ　ｙｏｕｒ　Ｉｄｅａｌ　Ｒｅａｄｅｒｓ．　I think that’s what makes your blog stand out from the crowd, and you have a winning formula there. I’m not married and love reading your posts and telling myself that it’s my ‘school’ to learn how to handle marriage when it happens.

@ Positively Present,

Glad the post helped. Sometimes it takes a few months of blogging before you know who you really want to write for, so take your time and enjoy the process! It’s the journey that’s fun, and the journey is all we really have. I’m hopping over to visit your blog now!

Hi Daphne — I appreciated the honesty and insight of this post.

With my own blog, I’ve ended up doing what I see as filling a niche — I get the sense that the clients I’ve met through my blog and people who read it are already intensely interested in knowing themselves and in personal growth, and come in believing that can benefit them in their working lives. There isn’t as much on the blog, it seems, that appeals to people who aren’t interested in these things. This has meant that my readership is smaller than some PD blogs, but the people I’ve met through the site and worked with have been such a joy. I’ve been thinking about this and I’ve decided it’s a tradeoff that works fine for me.

— Best, Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your insightful comment. Your blog is certainly first-class and I’m grateful that you shared your thinking behind it. I like the niche you’ve carved out – growing with an emphasis on improving our working lives. I’m also inspired by your attitude that numbers are not everything, and chasing high readership numbers for its own sake is pointless. That can be a trap that many bloggers fall into. I think the tradeoff is working out for you too, judging by your blog’s impact!

As a fairly new blogger, I found this post VERY helpful. I love writing and I really enjoy putting my thoughts out there, but I haven’t given as much thought as I should to who my “ideal” reader is. Thanks for getting me thinking!

I’ve tried to follow the ideal reader concept for a while now. For me at Simple Marriage, it an ideal couple as well.

It’s great to think about one of the readers to write for is yourself. My experience has been when I write more from what I want to write about, from my passions, more of myself comes across and the reader seems more engaged.

Hi Daphne,

I have to say this is a very useful concept. When I started my blog early 2007 I posted several times a week. Then in 2008 I hardly posted at all except my Thoughts for the Week on Mondays.

I’m getting back into it now but it hasn’t been as easy as it was in the early days. And I think having a much clearer idea of who I’m writing for will help with that. I have a general target audience in mind, and I thought that was enough. But now I think I might need to spend some time getting more specific.

I’m taking part in Problogger’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog, and as soon as I read this post I wondered if this idea will be incorporated into Darren’s project – because it would be extremely helpful I think.

If you’re building two new blogs you might find that project helpful too, so just in case here’s the link: http://www.problogger.net/31-days-to-build-a-better-blog-join-9100-other-bloggers-today/

all the best,

Hilda

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