In this piece, we're going to examine what it means to use reader-centric formats and what audience-centric content is.

Audience-Centric Content

When we talk about reader-centric formats, the reader is the audience, so we are basically talking about a type of audience-centric content. But what does this actually mean?

Here, we're talking about content that is built with the audience in mind. It is content, which is:

What the audience wants.
What the audience needs.
In a format that the audience can understand.
Presented in a way that is accessible to the audience.
In a tone and style appropriate to the target audience.

While we are mostly going to focus on content created with the intention of being read, it's possible to make content centered around the audience in any kind of multimedia format. The benefit of crafting a multi-format experience is that you can reach every audience. For example, releasing a book in multiple formats (print, ebook, or audiobook) allows for the best readership impact.

Reader-Centric Formats

In order to make your audience-centric content reader-friendly, you have to put the reader first. You need to make your content easy to read and engage with. For reader-centric formats, your content should:

Include short sentences and passages.
Be relevant.
Have all the information easy to find.

At the start of your writing, you should establish with your reader why this content is relevant to them. Like we said earlier, you have to put the audience first by giving them what they want. And the audience won't know you are giving them what they want unless you tell them it's there.

Things like headings are key to providing a good experience for your reader. You should have your sections clearly labeled so people can find what they are looking for. You want to focus on making your content easy to read and grasp. Things that are helpful include:

Bullet point lists (like this one!)
Images to go along with text
Using Bold and italics on text to make it stand out and underlining keywords

And remember, when it comes to reading on the internet, people can be quick to forget, as we are often scrolling and clicking faster than we are thinking. So, provide an introduction indicating what you are going to say and a summary telling your reader what you have said.

Multi-Format Experience

Whether it's book formats or otherwise, it's crucial to offer a multi-format experience that is easy to use. If your reader-centric, formatted content is being hosted on your own website, it's crucial that people are able to navigate and get around easily. Otherwise, they'll give up and never get to your content!

When it comes to offering audience-centric content in multiple formats, think beyond plain words and consider:

Illustrations and images
Infographs and graphs
Videos
Embedded social media posts
Interactive visual prompts

In the modern media landscape, we see the power of telling a story through multiple formats. Media devices have converged in a way that has made our phones capable of watching videos, scrolling through galleries, and browsing online, so there is now an expectation that content will come in multiple formats.

In Summary

When it comes to reader-centric formats, remember to always put the reader first. Make your audience-centric content accessible by offering a multi-format experience to fulfill your reader's needs.