5 Reasons Why Stand-Up Comics Make Better Copywriters
By Roberta Rosenberg on May 10, 2007 in Occasional Rantings
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 :=)
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alicia | May 11, 2007 | Reply
Awesome list! Coincidently, I was listening to one of my comedian friends about a month ago, thinking to myself, “He could easily go into copywriting or advertising…”
Mike Sieber | May 11, 2007 | Reply
I never thought about this before, but you’re exactly right. Maybe instead of studying other copywriters we should be listening to stand-up comics.
Surrogate Pimp | May 11, 2007 | Reply
And don’t forget the most important: Comedians actually have the balls to face their fears & do it.
Copywriting Maven | May 11, 2007 | Reply
Well, yes … there is the highly-rated “balls” factor. (She remarks with wry good humor.)
Carolina Event Planning | May 13, 2007 | Reply
The correlation between the two is interesting. Never thought of that before . . . I guess copywriters are entertainers? Thanks for sharing.
Ed
http://www.CarolinaEventPlanning.com
Great White Snark | May 14, 2007 | Reply
Good to hear from you over on my blog. Enjoyed your list. And you will be pleased to know I’ve added you to my feeds. I’d be happy to provide my home address for a gift basket… since you’re clearly hurting for readership.
Christian Tietze | May 20, 2007 | Reply
Very unique approach. I personally never was into comics a lot, but I think I got the idea
mike mcallen | Aug 9, 2007 | Reply
I have to say I get chills just thinking about going on stage. Balls. All about the balls.
Roberta Rosenberg | Aug 9, 2007 | Reply
I like to think it’s all about the boobs
Riihele | Aug 10, 2007 | Reply
Hei there.
Never thought about it, but it sure makes sense the way you are putting it!! Take care.
David Spark | Aug 16, 2007 | Reply
Actually, it’s not the comedians that make better copywriters, but rather the editorial process comedians have to go through to create their content. When you go up on stage you know immediately whether something you wrote is good or not. That instant response, laughter, is your editor. No other art form lets you create content and test it that quickly.
I was a former stand up comic that became an ad guy, journalist, and now owner of a custom publishing company. I became a better writer because of stand up comedy. It taught me how to write tightly, and how to write with rhythm. So my top three reason why comedians (good ones) make better copywriters is:
1. They have the best editorial system in place for training.
2. They know how to write concisely.
3. They know how to write with rhythm.
Watch a couple of snippets of my old stand up here:
http://www.sparkmediasolutions.com/seeingspark_video.html?Category=Standup
Roberta Rosenberg | Aug 16, 2007 | Reply
Hey David, always glad to get the input of a fellow comic traveler. I have no video of my work because young Tom Edison hadn’t as yet invented the movie camera, but trust me. I was way funny.