Meet Your Readers

Make the most of in-person opportunities.

For past week I’ve been preparing for an annual meeting of the group whose magazine I assemble.

One of my tasks will be to serve as a writer and photographer. While collecting material for a report in the next issue is important, it’s not at the top of my list.

My biggest job, in preparing the … Continue reading

Meet Your Readers

What steps do you take to listen to your audience?

Just the other day I had lunch with a large group of people from my target audience. In two days, I’m driving an hour and a half to spend time with an even larger group.

I have two goals, both essential to my task.

First, I simply want to establish rapport. Call it platform building. I … Continue reading

Places for People Watching

A trip to this store opened my eyes.

When my wife suggested we stop at the Ikea store, I thought we’d come away with just some Swedish meatballs. But we also discovered a great place to watch two kinds of people.

Since the megastore specializes in inexpensive, practical furniture, the place swarmed with young couples preparing to set up housekeeping. In second place were families … Continue reading