In writing, there are two groups that have to be satisfied – your audience and yourself. It’s crucial to craft content that hold a reader’s attention, especially in the new digital age where our attention spans are so short. But, on the other hand, there is a great importance to satisfy ourselves with our writing. If you aren’t enjoying what you’re writing, how can someone reading it do the same? Balancing both sides of personal and reader enjoyment is an art that has to be mastered.

Why Reader Engagement Matters

Reader engagement is essential because we live in a world that is now abundant with content. There is so much content available to people that according to Entrepreneur.com, you have only eight seconds to capture someone’s attention with an online article. Engaging articles create a connection with the reader by asking questions they might have asked themselves or by offering relevant and relatable insights. By doing so, you’re making your message more memorable for the reader. By using compelling leads, relatable messaging, or clear structures, you’ll increase the likelihood that your writing resonates with your audience.

Writing for Yourself Adds Authenticity

In his book, On Writing Well, author William Zinsser argues that ultimately you are writing for yourself. In chapter six of the book, he says, “You are writing primarily to please yourself, and if you go about it with enjoyment you will also entertain the readers who are worth writing for.” If you solely write for your audience, your writing will lose its authenticity and lead to creative burnout for you. Writing is a process of self-discovery where you can explore different themes and ideas that mean something to you. Zinsser also advises to not say anything you wouldn’t say in normal conversation. That means avoid using vocabulary and sentence structures that you wouldn’t say to someone else. When your writing is authentic, it will resonate deeper with your readers.

Satisfy Your Readers and Yourself

The best writing is when you bring together reader engagement and self-satisfaction. Zinsser advises to begin your writing process by writing or thinking in the first person. That way you feel comfortable since you would feel like you are writing for yourself. Then in your revision process, remove any I’s in the piece. Use the revision process to keep the reader in mind. By creating this balance, your writing will sustain your own creativity and be memorable to your reader.