This document provides tips for building new audiences and fostering relationships. It suggests asking yourself questions about your identity and goals, the target audience's motivations and connections, and advocating for time to listen to the audience. The document also lists keys to building a personal brand such as knowing social media policies, posting a mix of professional and personal content, participating in meaningful online conversations, and being authentic.

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Questions to ask yourself when building a new
audience to foster relationships
Hannah Wise | @hwise29 | hwise@dallasnews.com
Engagement editor, The Dallas Morning News
1. Who are you? When you meet members of the target audience in public,
how will you explain yourself, what you do and why you’re talking to
them?
2. Who is your target audience?
3. What motivates the audience? List a few of their primary concerns or areas
of focus.
4. What, if any, connection do you have already to this audience?
5. Is there any history between the audience and your organization or
journalists that you should know about?
6. If so, how will you educate yourself and acknowledge it with the audience?
7. What is your goal for engaging this group in your community?
8. How are you going to reach them?
9. What will they get in return for participating in your journalism?
10. Have you advocated for time to listen to the audience?
Keys to building a personal brand
1. Know your company’s social media policy.
2. Everything is public — there is no such thing as a private account.
3. Who are you? What is your voice?
4. Can a non-journalist identify you and understand what you do from your
bio?
5. Have a photo that shows your beautiful face.
6. Post a mix of content. Think things on your beat, but also things that show
you are a human.
7. Participate in meaningful conversations with community members online.
8. Don’t be afraid to mute or hide abusive people online. Don’t forget to
report them to the platforms.
9. Lean in as far as you are comfortable to the culture of the specific
platform.
10. Be authentic.