You’ve probably heard the saying, “People secretly want to be led.”, but I can almost guarantee that you’ve never heard of an “Alpha Laugher.”
And unless you’re in comedy, why would you have heard of it?
So let me go ahead and tell you, an “Alpha Laugher” is a person who sits in the crowd and laughs aloud and is completely okay with being the only one laughing, even in a small group.
They are comfortable with the sound of their own laugh whether or not anyone else thought it was funny.
Every comedian wants an “Alpha Laugher” at their show. Some comedians have been known to send special invitations to these laughers, just to seed them through their shows.
Because the smaller the venue, the more everyone can hear their own laughter which can make people feel uncomfortable. Once an “Alpha Laugher” breaks the silence though, all the other attendees suddenly feel free to bust out laughing as well.
The great thing about breaking the ice with that first laugh is, everyone laughs at laughter. It adds fuel to the fire. The more everyone laughs, the funnier it is.
The great thing about breaking the ice with that first laugh is, everyone laughs at laughter.
The same thing works with applause. If you have a comedy improv troupe that is finishing a skit and the troupe themselves starts clapping, the audience will join in and take over, feeling as if they started the applause themselves.
It’s not a new concept though. Back in the 18th Century France, theatres would hire Claquers to attend plays and shows. Their job was to clap and cry and laugh during the performances to give cues to the audience that this is what they should do.
We have similar in direct marketing when we think of orchestrated referrals.
We know that people still want to be led, so why not set up your business “theatre” so people know how to share your services and value with their friends and family?
Giving a referral is just another way of giving applause to a business you love and if you orchestrate it correctly, the person giving the referral will recognize now is the time to refer you, and think it was their own idea…