When your approach doesn’t resonate with the audience, you need to adjust your approach to the audience. What do they want to hear?
This movie clip from The Blues Brothers illustrates how they want to play their blues and the audience wants to hear country, ala Hank Williams.
Who needs to change? The presenter or the audience?
The presenter. In this clip you can notice the shift from the band and instant postive response from the audience when the music changed to their liking.
Speak to the audience in the language that they understand and want to hear.
I first learned this lesson when I was a DJ spinning records for dances and weddings.
A successful evening wasn’t about what I wanted to hear or play. It was about the audience. What did they want to hear and what music would encourage them to dance? If they were dancing, they were happy. My challenge was to encourage them to dance and exhaust themselves on the dance floor.
I had to explore that every time by testing them early and noticing how they reacted. Usually, the first six songs told me alot of about thiis audience. That came from paying attention to the audience and understaning the common music themes. How did they react and how did they dance. What patterns did I see in their dance moves that told me how they might feel about country, rock & roll, waltz or jazz?
The way you learn that is by observing their reactions and patterns.
I wasn’t a fan of country music and I didn’t want to play or listen, however I learned that those country hicks could be a wonderful audience when they heard the music they loved. I learned to appreciate them and their love of their music.
What is the music that your audience wants to hear and how might you start liking it more?
And yes, I much more appreciate this clip of the Blues Brothers presentation this blues song, Every Body Loves Somebody. The Blues Brothers at their best with the right audience.
If you appreciate the blues you will enjoy this next clip when Arretha Frankoin busts out with this redition of Think. Enjoy, even if you are a country music fan.
Be clear on the expectations of your audience and what they want. That’s how you shine – when you meet and exceed expectations.
