What Readers Want to Hear Might Differ from What They Need to Know

The craft of writing is deeply intertwined with the psychology of reading. As writers, we aim to ensure our messages resonate with audiences. However, mere popularity does not equate to genuine impact. Reaching a wider audience is admirable, but if our words fail to influence lives, their popularity loses significance.

While it's tempting to cater to what readers want, the greater challenge—and necessity—lies in addressing what they truly need to understand. The intent behind writing varies; some authors seek financial gain, while others strive to effect societal change. Balancing these motivations can prove difficult.

As a reader, I often seek transformative content that alters my behavior. I look for impactful narratives crafted by skilled writers. Thus, the delivery of the message is just as crucial as the message itself.

Purpose of This Reflection

Recently, I engaged in a dialogue with a successful author who guided me in building a targeted audience. Each mentoring session broadened my perspective, prompting me to share insights from our conversation.

In this piece, I aim to reflect on the journey of a non-fiction writer who initially faced challenges in selecting topics for her work. This author conducted a thorough analysis of reader feedback gleaned from online reviews, discovering valuable insights that shaped her writing choices.

Insights from Dorothy

Dorothy, a fiction author whose novels did not achieve the anticipated sales, sought to engage with non-fiction readers within her niche. She closely observed the market, noting the stark contrast in sales between certain bestsellers and those that languished.

To grasp her potential audience, Dorothy analyzed the non-fiction landscape. She scrutinized reviews of popular books and discerned patterns that informed her writing. Despite her efforts to create compelling non-fiction works, initial sales were disappointing. Therefore, she resolved to cultivate her own audience using innovative marketing strategies.

I plan to delve into her unique marketing techniques in a future article, but here, my focus is on summarizing Dorothy’s key findings regarding readability and topic selection.

When I inquired about her investigative outcomes, she shared several thought-provoking insights that resonated with both her as a writer and me as a reader.

Dorothy discovered that emotionally charged books and articles with provocative angles often gain traction. She argued that even well-crafted logical content tends to go unnoticed unless it is infused with emotional resonance. She emphasized that meaning must be conveyed alongside emotion.

Dorothy noted that while literary purists may critique raw, unrefined writing, sometimes straightforwardly presented content outshines meticulously polished works. The essential dichotomy she identified was between perfection and pragmatism, leading her to adopt a more naturally articulated writing style.

It was no surprise that she observed varied interests among readers regarding different topics. However, she pinpointed certain subjects that consistently attracted larger audiences, particularly those related to human nature.

Survival emerged as a predominant theme, with discussions on basic needs—such as food, hydration, sleep, stress management, and work conditions—tending to garner significant attention. Additionally, she highlighted themes surrounding relationships, emotions, and mental well-being, noting that topics like love, companionship, and care resonate strongly with non-fiction readers.

Dorothy particularly emphasized the importance of social proof as a fundamental human need. She noted that recognition, appreciation, community belonging, and societal position are essential desires. Writers addressing these themes typically find a more substantial readership.

When discussing general versus specialized topics, Dorothy clarified that while broad subjects attract larger audiences, there is distinct value in specialized content. However, as more authors delve into general knowledge, specialized niches, particularly technical ones, remain less saturated.

This conversation provided me with valuable insights. Although pinpointing exact reader desires is complex, certain patterns can guide writers in selecting topics for non-fiction works.

Most compellingly, Dorothy asserted that while some authors successfully deliver what readers wish to hear, those who focus on what readers genuinely need have achieved more sustainable outcomes.

She suggested that if writers can create non-fiction pieces that prioritize reader needs over desires, while also captivating them through challenging points, they can attain greater success.

I found her perspective invigorating, prompting me to ask what steps we should take to accomplish this goal. She advised that a realistic portrayal of all aspects—negative, positive, and nuanced—of a subject is essential.

Dorothy observed that some writers tend to emphasize either positive or negative aspects, inadvertently limiting their reach. A multi-faceted view enhances content engagement and interest.

However, merely listing facts without narrative depth fails to captivate readers. Crafting a narrative that entrances the reader is vital for achieving positive reading experiences. She clarified that this storytelling approach should not be misconstrued as sugar-coating.

Conclusions

Though Dorothy's two main points appear straightforward and are familiar to many writers, integrating them effectively into non-fiction is no easy feat. Achieving this requires diverse writing skills and considerable reader management experience. Nonetheless, I believe that with dedicated effort, writers can meet these challenges.

Dorothy’s non-fiction works have significantly outperformed her fiction, validating her insights on addressing reader needs and creating an engaging reading experience. I aimed to underscore these points in this reflection.

Everyone has unique methods for cultivating their audience. I would love to learn about the strategies you employ to attract specific readers to your non-fiction content, as it would enrich this discussion.

Thank you for engaging with my thoughts.