Having the self-confidence to do stand-up comedy
Having the self-confidence to do stand-up comedy may be easier than you think.
I love an audience and all my friends and family know it. I’m always the one to grab a microphone whether at a wedding, a party or even a funeral.
A heartfelt eulogy is a fantastic way to pay tribute to the dearly departed. But when I received a round of applause after delivering my uncle’s eulogy, I was hooked. No one applauds at a funeral. People even approached me in the ensuing weeks to compliment me on the lovely words I spoke at the service.
The key to having the self-confidence to speak in public is to touch people with what you say. If you can do that, you’ve truly made a difference in someone’s life. The obvious pay-off is that you can harness that validation and turn it into more self-confidence for yourself.
Stand-up comedy is, for me, a way to verbalise the off-beat things that take up space in my imagination; things that would be inappropriate in other arenas. To have an audience respond to me with laughter is pure gold!
But it doesn’t always go that way. Having the self-confidence to deal with hecklers also matters.
Heckler - blessing or curse?
So, during one performance this guy insists on making wise cracks in response to my punch lines. I try to ignore him at first but then I realise that he’s hell bent on stealing my spotlight. I figure, let’s call him on his need for attention.
“Sir,” I called to him, smiling all the while, “how about you come up here and stand next to me for the rest of my set, and I’ll ask you for a critique on every joke after I say it?”
Naturally, Rude Audience Guy stood down and I was able to continue with the show. His self-confidence only existed when he was an anonymous punter, out of the spotlight. Meanwhile my self-confidence burgeoned because I’d sorted out my only detractor, and continued on my merry way.
Know your stuff.
Whether you’re called upon to do a comedy performance or deliver a speech on the merits of pay-per-click advertising, knowing your stuff is key to having the self-confidence to do it.
Write your material, practise it, revise it and practise it some more. Stumbling through a presentation because you don’t have your info down pat will destroy your self-confidence and your audience will sense it.
Calm your speaking nerves get our 2 CD set: "Confidence in public speaking".
Keep the faith.
Ok now your audience has either paid to see you, or you’re doing a freebie. Either way, they have an expectation that you will entertain, inform or educate them.
Rather than feel a huge sense of responsibility that you could let them down, embrace the concept that they want to hear what you have to say. What an honour. This is an opportunity, not cause for self-doubt!
Forget about picturing your audience in their underwear; that’s nonsense. Picture them hanging on your every word and have the faith in yourself that you will give them what they came for.
Have you ever seen an amateur comedian or actor totally bomb? It’s uncomfortable even for the audience, isn’t it? The only remedy is to ‘act like’ an actor, a comedian, a professional speaker and so on. Whatever it is you need to be, you have to wear that hat for your presentation.
Having the self-confidence to do stand-up comedy brings more self-confidence.
For me, the joy in performing stand-up comedy is the validation and appreciation that come from the audience’s laughter. Sure, it takes some self-confidence to get up there and do it, but it’s nothing compared to the euphoric surge in self-confidence I experience when I take my bow.
Written by Gina Lofaro: The Wordmistress | Internet Copywriter | Stand-up comedian
As well as the occasional stand-up gig, Gina writes quality website content, press releases, newsletter campaigns and more. She can provide you with a free analysis of your website’s copywriting, editing and SEO needs.
Click here to visit Gina's Wordmistress website.
Copyright the Wordmistress, 2010.
PS From Confident Woman Editor: Calm those public speaking nerves. Get our "Confidence for women in public speaking" CD set.
Rachel Green
Reader Comments (6)
"The key to having the self-confidence to speak in public is to touch people with what you say."
YES! If we remember this and stop worrying about ourselves so much then our public speaking anxiety can go and our self-confidence grow.
Let yourself keep on shining
Rachel.
Jayne
Hayley
Gina comments that when a performer bombs, it's as uncomfortable for the audience as it is for the performer. When you are speaking to a room full of people, I believe that most of them want you to do well! Hecklers and other nasties are the exception rather than the rule.
Derren Brown, the renowned hypnotist and 'magician' says that one of the reasons he is able to successfully perform his astounding feats of 'magic' is that people inherently want to please others, particulary someone who they perceive strong or authoritative.
If a speaker responds to a negative person with calm confidence and doesn't get ruffled, the audience will percieve them as being the 'power player' and align with them against the heckler. You're the one with the mic, so you already have the advantage.
Wonderful comments about the power play I have never thought about it like that. Thanks for giving me a new perspective. Staying calm and unruffled does work for me certainly, I just focus on breathing in and breathing out to keep me calm.
Keep your self-confidence flowing!
Rachel