Why Are Stand Up Comedians So Popular?
Stand up comedians make the audience laugh. Yet, their appeal is more than that. They address the audience and show that they understand them. Their material is relatable. Not to mention, their humour seems so effortless. Moreover, they build a connection that makes you keep coming back for more.
Does this sound familiar? If you see any parallels between the world of content marketing and stand up comedy, you are not alone. Content creation is a lot like stand up. Here are some lessons that marketers can learn from stand up comedians to create the right impact.
What can content creators learn from comedians?
Tip 1: Make language your friend.
The power of stand up comedy lies to a great extent in their use of language. The stage is mostly empty, so comedians rely on their words to fill that space. It is much the same for content marketers. Keep language precise and punny, and ensure that your humour is easygoing and inoffensive.
Tip 2: Make people think.
From George Carlin and Wanda Sykes to Hasan Minhaj and Vir Das, stand up comedians over the ages have more than made people laugh. They comment on pressing social, economic, and political issues and prompt people to think. Now, businesses can do that too. Responsible content is an excellent step towards building the brand image.
Tip 3: Timing is everything.
Comedic timing is a craft. Stand up routines are rigorously structured and planned. In content marketing, too, timing is of the essence. Content centred around current events and holidays fulfils expectations. Personalised notifications when products are back in stock and birthday or anniversary wishes show that you care. Regularity breeds reliability.
Tip 4: Ideas are all around you.
Comedians often consider ordinary situations as material for their humour and point out the irony or give them a comedic twist. They look at the world closely and differently. Content creators can also benefit from being perceptive and observant. It is the brand’s job to use the voice of its audience, their daily needs and routines as ideas to generate content.
Tip 5: Read the room.
“Reading the room” in the world of stand up comedy refers to analysing the live crowd’s reaction and improvising as needed. Audience feedback is a valuable resource. Make it easy for the audience to reach you, conduct surveys, track your website analytics, and request feedback at various stages of the customer journey. Read the room and get insight into your customers to modify your content strategy.
