You’ve heard the term “target audience” a few times by now, but what exactly does it mean? In the context of a blog, your target audience is a specific group of people you’re writing to each time you publish new content on your blog. Put simply, your target audience is the people who are likely to be most engaged with your content, and self-identify as having an interest in your blog’s niche.

While it’d be great to be able to consider everyone in the world somehow within your “target audience,” this isn’t very realistic.

A target audience may be one very narrow demographic, or it may include several different key demographics of people. Usually though, there is some core value or interest area that unites your target audience. Your job as a blogger, is to find out which group (or groups) of people are most likely to want to read your content—and to write useful content that meets their needs.

If we take my blog here as an example, my own target audience may be diverse in the sense that many different kinds of people like to read my in-depth guides about starting a blog (and growing it)—but I’m obviously not going to get very far with the many people in this world who have no interest in blogging whatsoever.

Individuals who couldn't care less about writing for a blog, possible won't get some margin to peruse my extensive articles. They will not buy into my email list, share my posts with their companions, make buys through my partner connections or join my paid courses (like Built to Blog).

Similarly, a sightseeing blog won't drift well with individuals who aren't especially keen on movement. A food blog that spotlights on veggie lover recipes, won't draw in individuals who aren't keen on a vegan diet, etc.