7 Habits of Highly Effective Performers

1. Smile! Smiling makes you and anyone who sees you do it feel good.




2. Look into their eyes. Eye contact causes your brain to release oxytocin, a hormone your body uses when bonding with other people. This is closely related to dopamine production. Again, it makes you and your audience feel great. It also gives them the impression that you are performing for each of them individually.




3. Move. Dance. Use your hands. Whatever is appropriate for that moment, do it. Whether it’s just a long look upward or two hands stretched out to the people, move. It makes you fun to watch and unpredictable, so they’ll be hanging on your every move.




4. Don’t always wing it. People love the glamour of a planned show, and you’ll feel more comfortable if you know what songs you’re going to play and what you’re going to say in between them.




5. Make ‘em laugh. Tell some jokes. Tell a funny story about what happened to you on the way to the gig or what was going on when you wrote a particular song. People love a performer who can make them laugh.




6. Get to the point. Don’t ramble on about your sister’s friend who’s a guitar player who taught you how to play Stairway to Heaven and that’s what inspired you to write this song. Find something short and powerful to bring the meaning home to your audience. You want to share your inspiration with them, but you don’t want to put them to sleep.




7. Experiment. Think of yourself as a scientist of the stage. Try something new in your set. If it’s a hit, keep doing it. If it’s not, let it go. The audience will let you know what to do.