5 Reasons Why Stand-Up Comics Make Better Copywriters

Darren Rowse, Major Domo of ProBlogger, is running a "Name Your Top 5" group writing exercise. The Top 5 could be about business, personal, a little bit of both, serious or silly. The current entries are a wonderfully eclectic collection of posts both informative AND entertaining.

Hmm, informative and entertaining. That's me all over. So I decided to add my 5 cents worth, too.

In a previous post or two, I've talked about my short professional foray into the seamy and unseemly world of stand-up comedy MANY moons ago as a bridge between college and the real world. I didn't know it then, but it did provide a great foundation for my move into direct marketing copywriting.

5 reasons why stand-up comics make better copywriters (in no particular order):

#1 - Comics know how to tell a good story: Whether delivering a set of jokes or a few long-form stories, comics learn how to structure the material and their delivery - timing, pacing, and rhythm - to get the maximum laughs from their effort.

#2 - Comics focus on results: No matter how funny something may seem to the comic, if the audience isn't laughing, it isn't funny. (And if only the band is laughing, you're really in trouble.)

#3 - Comics steal smart: Comics steal from each other all the time, but only from the best among them. Milton Berle (does anyone know who he is?) was famous for it as were/are others.

#4 - Comics always test: They test the material, the delivery and what works with which audiences. They're always tweaking, pushing to earn a better laugh.

#5 - Comics know how to tap into frustration, fear and anxiety and ultimately deliver relief: Although what makes people laugh is highly personal and subject to generational, cultural, ethnic/racial, gender, etc. influences, there are some basic truths about the human condition -- marriage/family, work/school -- that makes us all smile, laugh, and gives us great pause before the big laugh.

Now take another look at these reasons through the prism of a copywriter's eye. See? Same stuff transformed into a different medium. Ultimately, it's all about "delivering the goods for maximum effect."

With a little more time, I could probably write at least 5 more reasons, but I'll quit now. (Always leave your audience hungering for a little bit more :=)