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Creating a lasting memory with your audience. Why is it important? How do you do it? In part one of this series, Create a Memory and Stay Ahead of the Competition, we explored some of the reasons it is important to leave lasting memories with your audiences.
In that article, I reminisced about Rich Cannon, a speaker at summer camp. Rich Cannon created a memory so vivid that I clearly remember him more than thirty years later. So what can we learn from obviously memorable performer? How can we create the kind of memories that will have adults fondly remembering a performer they met when they were children?
Click here to read part 1:Create a Memory and Stay Ahead of the Competition.
Click here to read part 3: 2 Things That Will Help Your Audience Remember You .
3 Ways to Become More Memorable
Whether a clown, magician, or storyteller, I believe there are three qualities we can infuse in our characters and performances that will help endear us to our audiences.
The first of these characteristics is some trademark action or saying that your audiences will associate with you. Rich Cannon’s nickname will give away his trademark. He was known as “Cannibal Cannon.” You see rich had been a missionary. And although he didn’t have magic tricks, clown gags or special props, Rich did have cannibal jokes. In fact, I truly believe Cannibal Cannon knew every cannibal joke that had ever been created. Throughout his presentation, Rich was able to weave in this special type of humor that came to be associated with him. We were willing to stop canoeing, riding horses, and swimming and listen to Rich’s message because we wanted to see if he could possibly come up with even more cannibal jokes.
Develop a Trademark
Of course, there is more to developing a trademark than memorizing a joke book. Your trademark has to fit your personality and performing style. Cannibal Cannon was able to use humor that related to his background as a missionary. He became the punch line of his own jokes. We howled when he talked about the chief having him over for dinner and finding out he was the dinner.
Who can forget the classic children’s performer, Captain Kangaroo? Mr. Moose, one of the regular puppet characters on the show, was always tricking the Captain into saying a phrase that caused hundreds of ping pong balls to drop on the Captain’s head. We waited with anticipation to see how and when it would happen.
Mama Clown is another example. Marcella Murad uses a lot of jokes and props about cockroaches. Yuck! But it works for her because these pests are a common problem in her area of the country and the way she introduces the humor in her act.
We’ll talk more about developing lasting memories in the third and final part of this series. In the meantime, be thinking about a recurring joke, line, or prop you can use in your show.
Click here to read part 1:Create a Memory and Stay Ahead of the Competition.
Click here to read part 3: 2 Things That Will Help Your Audience Remember You .
About LouPage
Lou started his career working his way through college as a magician and clown. Somewhere along the way he managed to become a school principal! Along with Steve Kissell, Lou co-founded the Circus Magic Convention. Lou is the webmaster at CircusMagic.com, a site dedicated to helping clowns, magicians, face painters, and other family entertainers improve their performing skills.
Contact Lou at: lou@circusmagic.com or Visit Lou's Website
