What's Inside
Yesterday I, along with our two boys (5 and 11), went to our annual neighborhood block party. I had known about it for weeks, but when the day came I wasn’t exactly about going.
I felt like I had too many other things to do, and that it was interrupting the flow of the day by taking time away from what I otherwise ‘should’ be doing.
However, the boys were hyped (and I would never be so cruel to deny them the opportunity get their faces painted or decorate cupcakes!)
I thought maybe my partner would switch places with me, as I had been planting seeds of complaint since the day before, but he carefully announced he wouldn’t be able to go early in the day.
Fine. I was annoyed, but once I committed we set out to have some fun.
Finding the Gathering
As soon as I walked in our neighbors lovingly manicured backyard, and saw young children running around, elderly chatting in the shade, and busy moms and dads alternately chasing kids and dipping in and out of conversations with glasses of wine or a beer, my thoughts of what I should have been doing dissipated.
It was great to meet new folks who had come to the neighborhood, parents of children who turned to go to the same school as my kids, and just learn what people are up to.
It occurred to me that this was also how we find our ideal audience. By getting out of our house or comfort zone and going to where they gather and talking to people to see what they need or what the dominant conversations are.
Listening and Engaging in Conversations
You engage people by asking about what’s on their mind.
Just doing the natural art of conversation I learned about a crusade one of my neighbors is on to disclose the private money that goes to sponsor political bills, PTA burnout, the need for more academic coaching at the middle school. I also learned that two of my neighbors are working on books, how dedicated a core of them are to keeping neighborhood functions going. I also met a potential new babysitter!
The only way I could discover each of these tidbits was by getting out of the house, going to where people were gathered, listening, and engaging in conversations.
The Limits of Surveys
I couldn’t find these updates posted anywhere, or have collected these things with a survey. There is no way to know except to go to where people are and jump in the flow.
It was a good reminder of how you can find an audience in your own backyard. When it comes to backyards online, discussion forums are one type, but there are many more.
Learn how to find your audience watering holes
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