The age old question all writers must consider is how do you write what people actually want to read?

The answer is more simple than you might think: You don’t. Write what you want to read, because I guarantee others will want to read that too. But how do you write that?

What do you struggle with?

I’m going straight for the jugular this time. What are the struggles you’re you currently experiencing, or that you’ve already overcome?

These challenges may be tough for you to endure or speak about, but in doing so, you’ll be able to help so many others. You aren’t the only one going through your struggles, there are billions of people on this planet, so the chances of someone having a similar situation are high.

Writing about your journey, the honest and hard truths will draw people to you. Then, as you share the solutions, answers, and lessons you’ve learned, you will be able to help them too. That’s what community is all about, after all. Learning from others and sharing our thoughts. Mentors come in all shapes and sizes, even random writers on the internet who also happened to have the same situation you’re dealing with.

Write about what you struggle with, how you endured and ultimately overcame the challenge. I guarantee there are others out there who need to hear it too.

What knowledge or expertise do you have?

I’m always surprised by how much people appreciate my advice. Every day at work I share tips that I think of as common knowledge, and I get so many amazing responses. I don’t find my ideas to be special, but it is a great feeling to see people’s eyes light up and their perspective change with my words.

But that’s just it, everyone has had different experiences in life that have taught us so many things. The advice I think may be common sense is groundbreaking to others.

I guarantee you have some knowledge or ideas like that too. So, share what you know. For every person who has heard it before, there will be plenty of others who haven’t.

As for expertise, if you’ve spent years of your life dedicated to something, the world is begging you to share. In this information age, it can feel like everything that needs to be said has already been said. Yet, no one has said it the way you will.

Additionally, we underestimate the importance of intersectional knowledge. I can always read a scientific paper or journal article about one specific topic if I need, but the most interesting conversations I’ve had, read, or listened to are from people who combine two seemingly unrelated concepts. Yes, tell me how feminism and Barbie are related or not, talk to me about how men’s phallic obsession translates to their practises around nuclear weapons, yap about how screen time has fundamentally changed the way people teach and learn in schools.

People with experiences or interests in a range of fields are able to draw connections the rest of us can’t. My degree in International Relations and Literature showed me how people’s experiences can be communicated through art. I believe that this will help us change the world, as people can step into other people’s shoes, see that we’re not so different, and work together to build a world in which conflict, suffering, and poverty do not have to exist—or at least not to the devastating extent at which they do.

Write about your knowledge and your expertise, because there are people out there who need it!

What are you interested in?

Last but not least, what inspires, excites, and interests you? Is it art, music, movies, science, literature, creativity, productivity, video games, programming, sewing or sport?

You’re not the only one who likes this topic, and the more niche it is, the more likely you are to find devoted people who love it too! Writing about what interests you will keep you inspired and excited to write, but it will also draw in people who love these topics.

What do you enjoy learning about, experiencing or improving in? Talk about what you’ve learned while pursuing these interests, share it with others and see how you can grow too. The happiest people I meet are always unapologetic about the things they love.

Write about your interests and you’ll connect with so many people who love them too.

Takeaways:

So, wow do you write what people actually want to read? You do it by writing about the things you know best. People don’t always know what they need until they find it, and you can help them by writing quality content that will help them.

• Write about your struggles. Someone out there is going through similar challenges, and they’ll need your guidance and advice.
• Write about your knowledge. Only you can combine your experiences and expertise into useful and informative pieces.
• Write about your interests. People are always looking for more of the things they love, and you can give them that.

So, instead of focusing on what other people want to read, write what you know and love best. In doing so, you will fuel your own passion for writing, and be able to work on pieces that are meaningful to you. Being authentic and caring about your work is the most important part of this process. Do that, and trust that the right audience will find you.