And yes, Foghorn, I believe we do need to “treat the audience like we’re talking to one person” as you so aptly put it. In my comments on another article on this site, I discussed audiences having ‘personalities’ and suggested that I feel more comfortable with and connect more easily with larger audiences because (I theorize) with smaller audiences we are more likely to see the individuals that make up the group. I don’t know if there’s merit in that concept, but that’s been my observation from personal experience.

I believe that finding that connection is key. I used to watch Billy Graham, the internationally recognized evangelist, and wonder about his appeal to his massive audiences in many parts of the world. I noticed that personal connection: he always spoke conversationally, and he always made local references: “I was reading [such and such a story in The Local Newspaper] just this morning,” or, “Your mayor was telling me at supper last evening,” etc. And the anecdotes sprinkled throughout his address were usually about ordinary people, often local. Clever.

Those attributes were a big part of his appeal as an orator, and I think they can easily be adapted for standup. I find they work for me.

(Oops) Get em’ laughin’ and they’ll warm up to you real fast!

Just don’t forget, as you are “small talking” with the audience, your clock is ticking. Like Steve says over and over again, you need to be generating 4-6+ laughs a minute. If you are small talking and their not laughing, you will have some serious time/laughs to make up for due to wasted time. Get em’s laughin’ and they