Types of Audience

The five kinds of audiences in business communication are the initial audience members, gatekeepers, primary and secondary audience members, and watchdogs. Initial The initial audience members are the first to hear or read a business communication message before forwarding it or repeating it to others.

Initial. The initial audience members are the first to hear or read a business communication message before forwarding it or repeating it to others. Managers who assign communication message tasks also are initial audience members.

When a business is developing an advertising strategy for a new product, it needs to keep firmly in mind the needs, characteristics, consumption habits and preferences of its targeted primary audience.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY AUDIENCES. Primary audiences are those who receive the communication directly. Secondary, or "hidden", audiences include anyone who may indirectly receive a copy of the communication. These include anyone who will receive a copy, need to approve, will hear about, or be affected by your message.

Watchdog Audience: This is an audience with political, social or economic ties to your message and document. They may have a stake in your message or may become legally involved.