3 Lessons Podcasters Can Learn From Norm MacDonald's Life

What’s great about podcasting is that not everyone has to get you or your podcast. That was one of the great things about Norm MacDonald, a comedian from whom podcasters can learn a thing or three. It’s been said that when people want to laugh, they watch a comedian. But when comedians want to laugh, they watch Norm MacDonald. Norm was, by all accounts, a comedian’s comedian.

I rather like the idea of being known as a podcaster’s podcaster.  So with that, here are three lessons podcasters can learn from the life of comedian Norm MacDonald.

First, know what aspects of podcasting you are really good at. 

There were plenty of aspects of comedy Norm didn’t care for, so he didn’t master them. Be did master the mechanics and fundamentals of comedy. 

Podcasting is already at a point where you can choose to specialize in particular areas of podcasting. Just make sure you also get really good at fundamentals and the mechanics of what makes podcasting work.

Second, surround yourself with other podcasters who are really good at podcasting

Norm traveled in an elite circle of comedic greats who weren’t always the most in-demand comedians of the day. But they were great at their craft. Who do you admire and respect in podcasting, who feels the same way about the craft of podcasting that you feel about the craft of podcasting? And if you’re not already, how can you become pals with them? 

Third, don’t try to please the audience.

Arguably the most counterintuitive podcasting advice you’ve heard all day, but that’s Norm for you. Norm absolutely knew who he was for and why they were there. And he didn’t care much about those in attendance who he was not for, regardless of why they were there. 

It takes an extreme amount of confidence to know that in the audience are just the people who grok you. 

Thanks for the laughs, Norm.

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Links:

• FREE 3-week trial of My Podcast Reviews -  https://mypodcastreviews.com/pp • Norm MacDonald, dead at 61 - https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/norm-macdonald-dead-dies-snl-1235064570 • Tom Webster on Twitter - http://twitter.com/webby2001 • Edison Research - https://www.edisonresearch.com • Prior episode on knowing who you are for and why they are there - https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/the-surprising-delightful-way-to-grow-your-podcast • Support Evo by buying him a virtual coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/evoterra • Want to sponsor Podcast Pontifications? - https://podcastpontifications.com/sponsor

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A written-to-be-read article and a full transcript of the audio of this episode can be found at https://podcastpontifications.com/episode/3-lessons-podcasters-can-learn-from-norm-macdonalds-life.

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Image from https://twitter.com/normmacdonald (Norm’s Twitter account)

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