Considering Audience When You Tell Your Family History

I came across something recently where the person argued that you should not think about your audience when you write your family history because it might change what you write.

I agree and disagree. When you write a first draft you should just let the creative juices flow and write — that draft is for you. Write without revision. Writing that initial draft helps you process the information, shape your theme, and uncover gaps in your research. 

I would argue that it is useful to have some notion of your final product and audience in mind before you start so you have a goal in mind. Thinking about your audience and having a story board for your final product does not change what you write but helps you focus on the end goal.

However, once that first draft is done, then you need to think about your audience and how best to package the family story and deliver it to your audience.

Who your intended audience is does not change the story you tell, but it can change how you deliver that story. 

If your intended audience are people of the same age range as yourself then you likely have a shared history and knowledge. For example, your intended audience will likely understand life before Google and YouTube. However, if your target audience is younger then you will need to provide some historical context. Is the story age appropriate? Does everyone know the language of their ancestors? Will they know what you mean if you write about a party line, a soc-hop, or reference a particular song? Do they only read online? Will they agree with your politics, ethics, message?

Who your target audience is will also determine how your package your family story. Would it be best delivered as a video rather than a book? Should it be delivered as a series of Instagram posts?

Considering your audience should absolutely have an impact on how the family story you tell is revised and delivered.

Is your family story locked in your accumulated documents and trees? Does your family ask for the stories? Then it’s time to pull it all together and publish that story! 

Participants engage in 14 hours of workshops and discussion facilitated by Brenda L Smith and Andrea Lister starting Saturday, April 22, 2023 and ending with a weekend of workshops, and presentations in Wells, British Columbia from Friday, May 19, 2023, 7:00 PM to Sunday, May 21, 2023. Online workshops lead into the May long weekend in-person event (hybrid options available).

Topics include: identifying the audience; choosing the right format; reviewing research, putting words on the page; editing; legal necessities, and assignments to get started. Working with their own materials, and supporting each other, participants discover how to move from gathering information to creating a publishable product. Participants will set goals for their research, organize and evaluate their data, and practice packaging their family story.

Learn more about Unlock Your Family Story: Sharing Your Family's History (Online and In-Person Learning) through Island Mountain Arts.