Bonding with the audience

One thing which is important as a comedian is to always try and bond with the audience, so, if you're about to tell a story, or an anecdote as sometimes they're called if they're not very good, as I'm about to do, then you might start of by saying

"Did anyone here follow Wimbledon?"

See, I haven't even asked the question yet, I'm just talking about a question I will ask later, and already, couple of people nodding, few flickers of recognition.

So wait 'til I do actually ask the question. This place is going to go interstellar. Especially now I've prompted you before I've even asked it.

The idea of involving the audience in this way of 'bringing them in' (put your arms around the audience and bring them in) is that people listening, the audience, you, think, ah! this is relevant to me, this chap's talking about something I can relate to, there may even be some laughs to be had in what he's saying. I'll prick up my ears and set my laughter glands to high alert.

Really, what I'm doing here is just giving you a few tricks of the trade.
Just so you can see some of the deliberate decisions being made behind what I'm saying.

Like, here's another one.

Does anyone here work in an office?

I'll ask again, because I think there's more of you out there.

Does anyone here work in an office?

Shit isn't it?

Now, that's a technique which I don't recommend. It's known as inviting the audience into your home, into your living room, then not offering them a drink and then just saying "It's time to go now".

Then giving them a kick up the arse on their way out of the door.

Right.

Let's go back to method A.

Has anyone here been watching the tennis at all?

Don't worry, don't be shy.
I'm not going to say it's been a bit shit, because I've really enjoyed it.

So, let's go again.

Has anyone been watching the tennis?