Years back I was performing at a country club holiday party. Beautiful, swanky event. Ninety-five percent adults, with a few kids present. One was an eight year old girl. I ask her to help me with a trick.

“Hello, young lady. I’m Doc Dixon. What’s your name?”

She replies, “Hello, sir. My name is Dawn. D-A-W-N. Dawn.”
(The audience chuckled at the cuteness.)

I replied, “Well, thanks. T-H-A-N-K-S. Thanks.”
(Big laugh.)

She replies, “No. DAWN. D-A-W …”
(Huge laugh — including me — before she even finished spelling her name.)

MORAL OF THE (ROAD) STORY?

I frequently share this story in my shows. It always scores a big laugh.
Now, to be clear, I don’t want you to tell my story, because it would be better for both of us for you to tell your story.
You already have your stories. Just polish them up and tell them in your show.
Big audiences laughs are just waiting for you.

Why?

One, they’re entertaining. They’re funny.

Two, a great story can be used as a subtle commercial …”several months back I was performing at a country club holiday party.”

Three, great stories require no props. Getting big laughs and applause without a single prop is quintessential pack small & play big goodness.

Sharing your stories like this can be a great part of your show, but it’s far from the only tool that should be in your toolbox. Here’s a packed toolbox to succeed: my new book The Show Is The Mother Of Invention. Show stories are are only one technique from its 106 pages and 41 chapters.

Just like most other aspects of show improvement, becoming better at packing small & playing big isn’t the result of only one thing. It’s the accumulative effect of many things.

And those “many things” is what this book is about.

Until next time,

Doc Dixon