The Needy Reader - Janice Thompson, Author

Touching the Reader Where He Lives

As freelance article writers, we need to be addressing real concerns for real people. In so many ways they are looking to us to offer answers to questions they have about life. And they’re hoping we’ll meet them at their point of need. That’s the primary thing I want to address in this lesson: the reader’s point of need.

From the time I first started writing magazine articles and non-fiction books, I kept hearing this term: felt needs. I was taught that I must write to meet the reader’s “felt” needs. That raised a host of questions inside of me. How do I know a person’s need if they’re only “feeling” it and not expressing it? And even if they are expressing it—through their actions or conversation—how can I offer hope? Are my words really that potent? Can I change lives?

The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Felt Need. . .What’s That?

So, what is a “felt” need, anyway? It’s really anything in my life—or your life—or your friend’s life—that is perceived as a bonafide need. Maybe you have a need for companionship, but never express it. Maybe I have a need for comfort when I’m hurting, but don’t know how to reach out for that comfort. Maybe your best friend needs help as she grieves the loss of a loved one. See how all of these needs are basic to humanity and yet specific to the individual as he or she walks through the different seasons of life?

So, how do we go about giving answers that meet these vast needs people around us are facing? Imagine you’re sitting down to write a non-fiction book about teenage obesity. At first glance, you decide to take an informative approach. You’re going to give those kids a piece of your mind, sharing the practical do’s and don’ts of nutrition.

Or...

Then, after thinking it through, you realize there’s much more to a child facing obesity than a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s time to rethink your plan. That child has some serious “felt” needs that he’s likely not expressing. Why not take a moment and list some of the needs he’s struggling with. When you open up that box – look beyond the surface – you find the real struggles people are facing. With this method, you learn to take nothing at face value. Absolutely nothing. Instead, you write non-fiction books that address the real, relevant, deep needs that people face. The things they don’t always talk about.

Does a woman who’s been abused by her husband vocalize what she’s feeling? Rarely. But your book could give voice to that.

Does a man who’s been laid off six months before his official retirement date know how to express what’s inside of him? Probably not. But in your interview piece, you should show him that he’s not alone.

Does a teen who’s facing weight issues know how to vocalize her fears and feelings of insecurity? Nope. But you can do it for her.

Does a teen who’s being bullied at school know how to ask for help? Maybe not. But your carefully thought-out book could give him a sense of direction.

Yes, our words certainly have power, don’t they?

A List of “Felt” Needs

When I think about “felt” needs that most people face, a few obvious ones come to mind:

Loneliness
The need to overcome stress
Grief
Relationship problems
Abandonment
The need to feel useable
Weight issues
The need to learn a skill
Financial concerns
Debt
The need to feel significant/important
Job issues
Health problems
The need to be loved
The need to laugh or to release frustrationsThe list goes on and on.So, how do we figure out which needs are most important? Which ones specifically do we need to address? A lot of that depends on your target audience and the publication you’re pitching to. You’ve got to spend time with people. Get to know them. Look past the shell and into the soul. Watch for serendipitous moments. Give them answers, and when they’ve received some degree of healing from your words, listen to them say, “I’ve done this! I’ve made progress!”As we end this lesson on felt needs, I feel compelled to say that not all needs are deep or depressing. Some are light-hearted and fun. The only way you’ll know which needs to address, though, is if you become a people watcher. So go forth, writers. . .and look for the story inside the story.