How to Make a BIG Difference in Your Shows: Take More Risks

The holidays are wrapping up, kids, and if you’re like me, you’re recapping last year in your mind — taking stock of what went right and what went wrong, and how to make things better.

This week I took a snow day in the mountains with the fam, and as I watched the dozens of skiers, snowboarders, and sledders that dotted the main slope, something hit me. Smacked me right in the face.

No, not some wayward newbie on a snowboard, but an idea. (Good thing I brought the video camera!)

So here’s a tip for how to make a BIG difference in your Shows next year.

Ready for it? Take more risks. (And I mean “emotional risks” on stage.)

Look at it this way — skiing and snowboarding is dangerous. People get injured all the time, but most willingly accept that risk because the thrill of zooming down the mountain at breakneck speeds far outweighs the potential pain of crashing.

It’s the same on stage. When you’re performing, playing it safe is never as fulfilling, enjoyable, or exciting as the thrill you get when you really push your boundaries.

Don’t forget, limits are made to be broken. You may not realize it, but boundaries are breaking all the time in sports, technology, medicine, and many other arenas — why not in entertainment? Why not in your shows?

Brian Tracy says, “In order to achieve things you’ve never achieved before, you must be willing to do things you’ve never done before.”

So try singing a song twice as fast, or twice as slow, or in a different key, or on the edge of the stage, or crouched down in the fetal position, or take the mic down into the crowd… anything. It doesn’t matter what you do — just be open to risking your pride by trying something new and out of your comfort zone.

Sometimes it won’t work (hence the risk). But many times it will work. And when it does, it’s magic.

Remember, audiences are there to have an emotional experience. Give them one, and they will reward you generously with their applause, their energy, their enthusiasm, and even their wallets. They’ll come back again and again, and even bring their friends — all from one emotional moment you gave them in one show.

But you have to take the risk if you want the reward. It’s hard. And it’s scary. But aren’t screams and whistles and thunderous applause much cooler than… well, cool or luke-warm responses?

Which would you rather have said about your show?

“The Crowd Went Wild!” -or- “The Crowd Went Mild”

It’s your choice. Personally, I’d rather send people home saying, “Wow! I had no idea it would be that amazing!” than “It felt good to come out and support Steven.”

So make it count every time you’re out on stage. Take chances. Do things that scare you. Go out on a limb — that’s usually where the fruit is.

How to Make a BIGGER Difference in Your Shows

Starting next Wednesday, Jan 5, I’ll be teaching a brand new 6-week voice and performance course online.  It’s called “The Science of Switching On: Virtual Training Course,” and I’m super excited to offer it.

We’ll be covering risk-taking in detail for artists, musicians, and stage performers, along with better singing techniques, strategies to design your set list, dealing with stage fright, and a deep dive into “The Science of Switching On” — all my very best material in a 6-week e-course you can take in your PJs.

Want to be a part of the course? Check out the details and register here

I’ll even throw in a coupon for $50 off the registration price — use discount code HOLIDAY50.  But you gotta hurry if you want a seat.