One of the first things they teach you when learning to write is to think of your audience. Think of who you are writing for. Decide if you are writing to a specific group of people or to the general public. Think of the generation you are writing for, the tendencies of the people you are writing for, and the stereotypes of the people you are writing for. Adjust your language and possibly the style of writing for the people you are writing for. Perhaps adjusting your introduction to make it more appealing to your targeted audience is also necessary. You are taught that you must remain mindful of this intended audience the entire duration of your piece. This is a simple, yet crucial, step in becoming a writer.
However, this lesson should not be limited to writers. It should not be limited to the creative community of artists, playwrights, directors, or performers. It should not be limited to those who are intending for others to see their work. This lesson should be taught to everyone. Every single person should always be mindful of their audiences.
Throughout your life, you will always have an audience. In your earliest years, your parents are your audience. They watch intently for your first steps, your first words, your first accomplishments. Soon, your siblings. They follow in the footprints you have left in your household. Throughout the years, your fellow students are your audience. They may be your competition in athletics or your friends pushing you to do better on the next exam. Soon, your employers will be your audience. They will examine your work and your ability to get the job done. Whether or not you ever wanted to be a performer, you will always have an audience.
As we grow up, we will learn how impossible it will be to please every audience we have. However, we must still be mindful how our actions are influencing our audiences. With the use of social media being so widespread, it is easy to forget who is looking at what we post online. Many of us don't even realize who follows us on Twitter and Instagram and who were friends with on Snapchat. Sure, freedom of speech protects what we want to say and post. But what is protecting the younger generations from being impacted by what our generation is posting?
The decisions you make are yours and that will never change. But everyone deserves to make their own decisions without feeling influenced by anyone else. The kids in our old high schools, and the kids who follow us on social media look up to us. They believe that what we are doing is the right thing. After all, we were always who they looked up to. We were the upperclassmen they saw roaming the halls, the ones they would be someday. When we post our bad decisions on social media, they are the ones influenced by that. They are the ones who want to follow in our footsteps and make the same bad decisions.
Writers, artists, performers. They do what they do with their audiences in mind. We must all become writers, artists, and performers. We must remember that the things we say and do are influencing someone around us. We are the real people that kids look up to. They wish they could be Kardashians and Wiz Khalifa's but they know they can be us. Be a role model.
