Understanding What Your Audience Truly Needs (and How to Speak to It)
You know that moment when someone says, “I’m fine,” but every bit of their tone and body language quietly says, “I’m really not”?
That same dynamic happens online. Your audience might double-tap your post, maybe even comment “So true,” but never take the next step. They’re connecting with the idea, but they just aren’t ready to move yet.
And it’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s simply that you’re responding to their WORDS instead of understanding their WORLD.
It’s Not About Pain; It’s About People
Most people don’t start with their deepest struggle when talking to you or others, they usually start with what feels safe to share. Or even sometimes share what they think other people are waiting for them to say.
So when someone says they want “more balance” or “better time management,” it’s usually not about scheduling or structure, it’s about something much more human:
“I want a little more breathing room.”
“I wish I could feel proud of how I spend my time.”
“I just want to stop running on empty.”
These aren’t problems to fix; they’re quiet desires to be understood.
And that’s where your role comes in. You get the opportunity to see what sits underneath the surface, and to help them name what they can’t quite articulate yet.
Listen for What They Need, Not Just What They Say
As service-driven professionals, it’s easy to jump straight into solution mode. Someone mentions stress, and our instinct is to reach for a list of tools or tips to help.
But connection begins in the pause, that brief moment when you ask yourself,
“What is this person really hoping for?”
Maybe it’s more freedom within their business.
Maybe it’s feeling secure within what they are doing.
Maybe it’s simply a sense of being seen and not judged.
When you listen for what they value, not just what they voice, your message starts to feel less like advice and more like understanding.
Lead with Empathy, Then Offer Expertise
Advice lands best when it’s built on understanding. This means that before people can absorb what you teach, they need to feel like you “get” them.
Start by validating their experience:
“It sounds like you’ve been trying so hard to keep it all together.”
That single moment of empathy does more than any polished strategy ever could. Once someone feels seen, your expertise becomes a lifeline, not another obligation.
You’re not showing them what’s wrong; you’re reminding them what’s possible.
Use Their Language, Honor Their Experience
One of the easiest ways to connect deeply is to use the words your audience already uses.
If they say, “I just feel scattered,” don’t translate it into, “You’re struggling with executive functioning.” Instead say,
“You’re juggling so much. No wonder it feels so scattered.”
That’s the moment they exhale and think, “Finally, someone understands.”
When you mirror their language, you bridge the gap between where they are and the support you can offer.
Your Reflection
Take a few minutes this week to think about the people who light you up, or the clients and conversations that remind you why you do what you do.
Ask yourself:
What did they say they wanted help with?
What did they really need underneath that?
How did they want to feel by the end?
That’s your true audience; the humans behind the data.
Ready to Connect with the People Who Need You Most?
Your people are out there! It’s time to find the ones who need your message, your story, your energy.
The easiest way to reach them isn’t through more content or clever marketing, it’s through compassion, curiosity, and communication that feels human. At the end of the day, real connection doesn’t come from pointing out problems. It comes from showing people what’s possible when they finally feel understood. 💫
Feel like you would like some extra support clarify how to reach your ideal audience?
✨ Book a Free Clarity & Strategy Call to uncover what your ideal audience is really saying, and learn how to speak directly to their hearts.
