A year or two ago I was listening to a radio interview of Bruce Springsteen, aka "The Boss." He is well-known for putting on a superb live act. He summed up his philosophy about what makes for a great live performance. It boils down to a simple three-part formula.
- Recollect the history that you share with your audience.
- Play your new songs.
- Find a way to capture the moment.
Ever since, I've used live performance as a metaphor for my live events and followed The Boss's philosophy.
Here are some design questions for your next live event:
What history do you share with your target market? Perhaps you live in the same town or city. Perhaps you've worked in the same industry. Perhaps they've attended a teleclass of yours. Or maybe read an article you wrote or your blog. How can you use the history you share to build connection in your next workshop or class?
What are your new songs? Your new ideas? Your new practices? Your new resources? How can you use your new material to open up new possibilities for your audience?
How can you capture the moment? Not necessarily with a camera, though that could work too. How can you be present in a way that touches each person in your audience? How can everyone walk away feeling seen by you?
The Boss's simple formula can be summarized as Connect, Open new possibilities, and Share the moment.
Take care,
-Steve
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