Coaching speakers and comics, I give the opening the most attention.
Openings are hard! Why? Because often you’re walking into a room full
of people who are already busy doing something (web surfing, texting,
ordering drinks, flirting, etc. ) where you – and your topic – are not included.
So
-- how do you grab an audience’s attention when they have a complete
entertainment center on their phone? And how do you get an audience of
complete strangers to focus on your message?
Here is the secret -- open with their favorite topic: THEM!
In my book, “The Message of You,” I have an exercise where I ask readers to phone a few people who are going to be in their audience and ask them, “For you, what are some problems that happen on a bad day?”
Then,
just mentioning some of those problems at the start of your speech or
standup act is a sure fire way to engage everyone -- especially if you do it with some humor.
One
quick way to do this is to put the audiences’ problem into the “List of
Three” formula: general problem, general problem, their specific problem.
For example:
“There
are a lot of problems in the world, like terrorism (general), tornadoes
(general), and cafeterias that are always out of spoons (their specific
problem).”
You’ll get their attention – and get them to laugh.
Do
you have more ideas on how to use this formula? Post with your “List
of Three” and the top 5 funniest will get a free download of "How to
Create Observational Humor."
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ReplyDeleteHeaded to a school district tomorrow. How about "global warming; seemingly endless Oregon springtime rains; students texting from their laps." (No high school student looks that intently at their crotch in public for any other reason!)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard finding clothing for a six foot tall woman, either the sleeves are too short, the legs are too short, or the clothes look like they were designed by a blind person.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard finding clothing for a six foot tall woman, either the sleeves are too short, the legs are too short or I realize im shopping at baby gap
DeleteI hate having to give my cat a bath, first you need to have the pet shampoo ready, then you need the water at just the right temperature, and finally you have to figure out where the cat is hiding.
ReplyDeleteIts tough talking to women nowadays you gotta do to much work even before you say hi...you gotta check if your breath smell ok..gotta make sure your clothes are neat...and you gotta check and see if she has an adams apple....kbye
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMarriage is hard right, 50% chance of success. I am my husband’s 4th wife! He had me sign a prenuptial agreement, if I leave him & take everything; I have to take him with me. Rena McNut & Bryce Baker.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(to the tune of We Are the World) Sing along with me ladies: We are the women, we have the hormones. We can make a better day or make you miserable. Misplaced my keys, can't find my car now, but give a little time and I'll turn on the charm now. We are the women, we have the hormones, there are more words to this song but I can't remember them.
ReplyDeleteThere are A LOT of problems in this world like poverty, homelessness and the biggest of all, raising a teenager!!
ReplyDeleteGood one Jo!
ReplyDelete