I recently put my head around the similarities between method acting (theatre or cinema) and writing or moviemaking for audiences.

When we cast our minds back to Robert De Niro playing Jake La Motta in his oscar winning performance in Raging Bull – or even Daniel Day Lewis’ psychotic character in Gangs of New York – living in the heads of these characters shows immediate impact.

What do I mean I hear you muttering?

Think of it this way. If we start thinking like our audiences in terms of humans. If we put aside the fact that they are investors, or buyers, or citizens for one moment. And we step in the shoes of the character we are trying to convince them is credible, funny, smart, value for money or good for ethical reasons – then maybe we may be in the method writing/communicating experience.

Here are some interesting pointers:

Don’t objectivise your audience. They are not a ‘list’. They are not a demographic profile. They are human beings – individuals with the same hopes and fears you may have. It doesn’t matter if they are neurosurgeons or barristers, football fans or stay at home mumpreneurs, they are people.

What media do they consume? Which newspapers do they read? Which TV programmes do they watch? Which magazines do they buy? A stay at home mum will probably have a very different media consumption to a retired accountant. Consider adapting your content and approach to reflect this.

What are their preconceptions? What are their perceptions for the particular niche area or industry you are targeting? What are their hopes and fears?

And for mesogio – here is the GOLDEN RULE….

How do they speak or write? A youth market will have very different vocabulary and accepted use of syntax than say, a classics scholar. Go and hang out where they do – find related forums and note how your audience expresses themselves. Are there particular turns of phrase or niche words that are specific to them?