This blog post was inspired by the prompt "Think about your audience" for my Outreachy internship.

It is important to figure out your target audience when developing software, writing a blog post, or even discussing with coworkers. Understanding who you are communicating with and adjusting for it gives value to your message. My blog’s target audience consists of tech-savvy people, future employers and queer individuals, with posts often tailored more or less specifically to each group.

When I started this blog, I knew I wanted to cater to two distinct yet often overlapping audiences: tech enthusiasts and queer people. Both audiences I’d be a part of and audiences I saw friends and acquaintances tailor to with their own blogs. A big inspiration for me was Evie Ciobanu’s blog, someone who I’d call a friend for the help given in the past few years, but realistically we are merely internet acquaintances.

Bridging the gap

It’s mostly because of this divide in my audience why I wrote two blog posts to the prompt “Everyone Struggles.” One based on my struggles as a queer person and one on my technical struggles over the time I’ve been programming. I know I plan for most blogs on here to be technically focused, but it’s also nice to be vulnerable once in a while and be told by other people in similar situations as me that they enjoyed reading my posts.

The value of vulnerability

Sharing struggles as a queer individual was an opportunity to reveal the deeper aspects of my journey how I’ve grown as a person. The feedback I received from fellow queer readers and allies showed that this openness created a meaningful connection, helping some put words to their own feelings. (Thank alcohol and it’s effects :P)

Similarly, discussing my technical challenges provided a window into the persistence and learning that have shaped me. By detailing the obstacles I’ve faced and the lessons learned, I aimed to offer insight into the continuous process of professional development. This kind of transparency, marked by both setbacks and achievements, build trust with future employers and coworkers.