Are you one of the (many) personalities that take show prep for granted? Maybe this will help put show prep in perspective.
Imagine being invited to deliver a message to a jam-packed stadium, just before the start of a major event. 50,000 fans are gathered and you can say anything you want.
Of course, you want to make an impression. It’s an opportunity to make them remember you.
That’s pressure.
Show Prep In Perspective
How would you prepare? Would you plan it? How much would you rehearse? Would you visualize the moment you take the stage?
Or would you just wing it? Would you count on your personality, charm, and ability to be “in the moment”? Would you ignore show prep in order to have a natural, spontaneous response?
Or would you think it through, carefully crafting words and phrases to get it just right? Would you think about the content, evaluating what you talk about and how? Maybe you’d talk about yourself and what you watched on TV last night. Or what is happening behind the scenes at the stadium. But probably not.
You’d most likely make a connection with the crowd based on the event, right?
Now consider this: Assuming there’s no time limit on the announcement, how long would your message be? Do you need 13 minutes? 5 minutes? 3 minutes? Or would you make a conscious effort to keep it brief, focused, and meaningful, realizing that impact has nothing to do with the length of the performance?
Conclusion
Every time you turn on the microphone is an opportunity to influence more people than a stadium full of listeners.
That applies to the first break of the day at 5:35 am when you’re just getting warmed up.
More people are listening to the radio than are packed into an arena.
Think about that as you prepare for tomorrow’s show.
