How to move an audience by standing still

I once heard Louis CK talk about “staying in the bit” after the punchline.

If he was angry, he’d stay angry.

If he was perplexed, his face and body language would stay perplexed.

It’s something he learned from Seinfeld during his early days as his opening act.

This was pre-Seinfeld but Jerry was already selling out large theaters.

Louis was used to smaller clubs, where the laughs and applause breaks were short.

And sometimes non-existent.

“Staying in the bit” was about giving the audience time to laugh, and not rushing.

I witnessed a version of this when I saw Ricky Gervais at Radio City last year.

After finishing a bit, he’d walk over to a podium and sip a can of Fosters, then walk back to center stage.

These small breaks lasted a few seconds or so.

Long enough for everyone to catch their breath and for him to signal, “I’m moving to the next bit.”

Sitting there—second deck, in the middle—it was obvious that good standup has a choreography.

Not the in-your-face pizzazz stuff you’d find on Broadway.

(coincidentally one avenue over from Radio City)

I’m talking about subtle cues like “staying in the bit.”

The stuff you’re not supposed to notice.

As a research consultant, the urge to master these nuances of perception resonates with me deeply.

For comedians, comedy is their way of figuring out how these nuances all work.

For me, it’s surveys.

They are a “way in” that don't come with:

• Hecklers
• Cocaine binges
• Bombing
• Always being broke
• 1 in a million chance of being the next Seinfeld
• The gaping void of darkness 

Doing a survey and telling a joke are both attempts to control an audience.

Something that’s impossible to do on your first try – or hundredth or thousandth.

It takes time and feedback.

Hence the Roasts I sell, which are designed to get you all those details so you don’t have to figure them out the hard way.

You can learn:

• Why long questions are sometimes better than short ones.
• Why you should use “you-focused” language.
• The power of the “Is there anything else?” question.

Plus other design insights that will get you “staying in the bit.”

So your questions will elicit the precious nuanced reactions you need.

Saving you precious time, money, and headache.

Click the link to get started.

I’d love to help.

https://www.sammcnerney.com/45-dollar-survey-roast

Sam 

P.S. Even if you’re contemplating a survey or designing one right now, my over-the-shoulder support will show you what’s broken about your approach BEFORE you hit send.

P. P. S. Who’s your favorite comic? Hit reply and let me know.