An Exercise in Writing With an Audience-Forward Approach

There are countless perspectives that can be written about a singular topic. As strategic communicators, we can leverage our knowledge of our clients' needs to broadcast uniquely compelling messages to the relevant publics. This can result in higher engagement, more purchases and stronger brand loyalty.

No audience, no problem! Simply fill out an audience persona worksheet to begin homing in towards the desired target. Keep in mind that the narrower the net cast, the more niche and complex the style of writing may start to become. It is important to stay within the boundaries set by the brand's voice and tone to maintain consistency throughout the brand guidelines.

Now with that said, let's get into the exercise. For this assignment, the goal is to write a short blog post for three basic, but distinct, audiences under one overarching topic. This is a great way for beginners to practice and understand writing for an audience as there are no stakes involved.

My topic: The Benefits of Thrift Shopping

Audiences:

• College student (budget friendly, personal style) 

• Eco-conscious shopper (sustainable, unique finds) 

• Retiree (free time, values high-quality items) 

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📑 Blog Post 1—College Student

A Guide to Thrifting on a Budget 

Expanding your wardrobe doesn’t have to be expensive. High-quality pieces from well-known brands can be found at thrift stores around the world. With this guide, you can learn the most essential tricks for buying secondhand clothing. Here are seven steps to elevating your thrifting experience ➡️

– Understand that thrift shopping is a hit or miss activity – 

Most thrift stores rely on donations to stock the shelves. Some bulk buy leftover end-of-season items from retailers. Either way, each article is likely to be unique in size, style, color and condition. Finding The Dream Piece is one of the most fulfilling parts of thrift shopping, but don’t set your expectations too high or else you may be disappointed. 

– Know your personal style – 

To prevent a regretful purchase, only buy items you can realistically envision yourself wearing. Ask yourself, what’s the occasion? Will the item be useful for the climate? How will you style the item with the clothing already in your closet? While these are important questions, don’t be afraid to explore your personal style! If you really want to try something new, then go for it. 

– Check the brand, consider vintage labels – 

One of the most useful tools to thrift with is Google Lens. You can take a picture of a garment to find online listings of the same item. It’s very helpful for checking prices as well as identifying vintage labels. 

– Look at the fabric content/care instructions – 

If you’re on a budget, be sure to check the fabric content to get the best bang for your buck. Natural fibers like cotton and wool hold up longer and don’t pill like polyester. Additionally, make sure you have the resources to take care of the garment. Some may require handwashing or dry cleaning. 

– Examine the garment for abnormalities – 

Be sure to inspect the inner and outer body of the piece for any rips, stains or other flaws. Though, most minor damages can be salvaged with a sewing kit or stain remover. 

– Try before you buy – 

Once you’ve selected an item, try it on before heading to the check-out counter. Pay attention to the form, fit and how it would layer under or over other pieces of clothing. 

– Enjoy your purchase – 

Wear your new clothes with confidence! You put a lot of work into curating your closet. 

With these simple yet effective steps, you too can become an expert at shopping for your personal style and making informed purchases. Happy thrifting!

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📑 Blog Post 2—Eco-Conscious Shopper

Mindful Thrifting as a Sustainable Practice 

The fast fashion industry is a mass producer of global debris – around 92 million tons of textile waste is produced annually. Components and byproducts such as plastics, pesticides and carbon emissions also contribute to the loss of a clean planet. Vital water, air, earth and natural food sources are some of the areas affected by commercial clothing production and pollution. While fast fashion is not going away anytime soon, here are actions that environmentally-minded shoppers can take to reduce the impact of the industry. 

Thrifting for Sustainability: 

In some social circles, there are stigmas about shopping for secondhand clothing. The activity can be perceived as an indication of lower income and/or unhygienic habits. But buying secondhand can reduce the demand for fast fashion and lessen negative environmental effects. If resources allow, consider thrifting for your next clothing need. 

However, always be mindful of overconsumption. Thrift shops often offer lower prices than retail stores, and it can be easy to buy more items than necessary. Think carefully about how the garments will be utilized in your closet with your existing collection of clothes.  

Facts About the Clothing Industry: 

• In the United States, clothing composed the bulk of textiles in municipal solid waste with 11.8 million tons discarded in landfills in 2018 (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2024).  

• “Less than 1% of material used to produce clothing is recycled into new clothing” (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017). 

• Buying pre-loved attire can decrease the carbon emissions produced from the manufacturing of new clothing by an average of 25% (thredUP, 2023). 

Donating Sustainably: 

When it comes time for you to part with your garments, practice sustainability through the discarding process. For instance, research local shelters and mutual aid groups in need of clothing or host a local clothing swap. If the clothing is in an unwearable condition – prominent rips, stains, wear, etc. – see if there are facilities or organizations nearby that will repurpose or recycle the fabric. 

Conclusion: 

Practicing a sustainable lifestyle is not the most convenient way of living, but any small effort makes a difference in the overall health of the planet. Disruption in the fast fashion industry begins with one person. Make that you. 

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📑 Blog Post 3—Retiree

Time to Thrift! The Art of Giving New Life to Secondhand Treasures. 

With a little bit of time and effort, anyone can turn their house into a well-styled home by antique shopping. But beware! When you begin finding diamonds in the rough, it may become your new obsession. There’s nothing quite like spending an afternoon hunting for treasures. Shopping secondhand not only keeps fully functionable items out of landfills, but italso provides buyers with inspiration to furnish their living spaces with one-of-a-kind pieces. Remember: thrifting is an art that anyone can master. 

So, what can you get out of the antique shopping experience? For starters, antique shopping is a great way to pass time. Some stores are stocked with layers upon layers of items and only the most dedicated scavengers find success. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get to work! 

When you find an item that interests you, try using a tool like Google Lens to identify information about it and establish a suggested price range. You may be surprised at the findings. Thrift stores are brimming in heirlooms – some with monetary value, others with sentimental importance – and considering their historic journey can also be an enjoyable activity. 

Additionally, all items have potential to earn a spot in your home. Consider painting, DIYing or utilizing items outside of their intended purpose. Engage your imagination and create your own unique masterpieces. Most corporate stores only offer a limited selection of pieces that fall into the current trends category. Whereas secondhand stores will have items from a variety of time periods and regions.  

To recap, thrift shopping can help pass time, offer unique furnishings, give inspiration for DIY projects and showcase history through physical objects. Now that you know some of the benefits of antiquing, go out and start shopping!

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~End of Exercise~

And just like that, we have dabbled into audience-centric writing! Writing for a specific group helps give strength, direction and clarity to a piece of content. If you try this exercise out, let me know what your choice of topic and audiences are in the comments!