Seem spontaneous, radiate enjoyment, and give it to 'em straight

Ted Gioia: "When you radiate enjoyment, the audience feels it too."

Ted Gioia isn’t a comedian but he respects the craft: “The three best kinds of speakers to study are comedians, preachers, and TV wrestlers. Politicians are surprisingly bad at this kind of stuff.” His Rules for Public Speaking offer wise guidance for comedians.

Audiences sense when you’re on autopilot.

Even if you want to take fewer chances, your talk must still feel spontaneous and in-the-moment. The audience wants that. They are energized by something that is happening right now and in this place. They will tune out the moment it sounds like you’re working through your pre-set talking points. Even if you require careful scripting and rehearsal, you still should strive for a feeling of spontaneity when you’re actually facing your listeners.

Crowds want you to do well.

I’ve never met anyone who went to an event hoping to be bored and disappointed. The audience really, really wants you to succeed, and if you give them even the slightest chance at having a good time, they will cheer you on. 

Just understanding this takes away much of the fear of public speaking. Even better, this desire for success is contagious—and in both directions: When you radiate enjoyment, the audience feels it too. When the audience is having a good time, you do as well.

That’s a virtuous circle, and you want you get into it as soon as possible. You should try to find a way of signalling within your first minute in front of an audience that everyone will have a good time today.

Straight talk can get you far.

If you have something you want them to take very seriously, just tell it to them straight: “I want you to pay close attention to what I’m going to say next.” If you think they are taking things too seriously, you can say: “Why is everybody looking so glum? Sit back, relax, and let’s have a good time today.” If you are entering the final stretch of your talk, you can actually say: “We just have a few more minutes together today, so let’s make sure we make the most of it.” Before your last point, you can actually say: “This is the last point I’m going to make today.” Etc. etc.

Read the rest: My 10 Rules for Public Speaking.