Jerry Seinfeld Didn't Call It Quits Because His Audience Wanted Him To End His TV Series. No, The Comic Turned TV Star Decided It Was Time To Go.In An Interview Before The Final "Seinfeld" Episode, Katie Couric Posed This Question: "Youre The Number-one Sitcom, The Leading Program For A Network And The Most-watched Show On Television. Why Hang It Up?""The Audience Is A Child, And Youre Responsible For The Child," Said Seinfeld. "Sometimes That Means Not Giving The Child What The Child Wants. The Child Isnt Happy At The Time, But Perhaps Later The Child Will Understand."In Other Words, Seinfeld Was Saying "enough" To His Devoted Fans, Much In The Same Way A Child Is Denied Candy Even Though Each Piece Tastes Good.Regardless Of What You Thought Of "Seinfeld" -- A Show About Nothing, Narcissistic, The Funniest Sitcom Ever -- The Producers, Writers And Actors Knew Their Audience, And They Delivered Dead-on Comedy To That Audience For Nearly A Decade.But Jerry, Whose Roots Are In Standup Comedy, Didnt Want To Keep The Show Alive Until He "bombed." He Didnt Want The "child" To Turn On Him. Instead, He Left The Series The Same Way He Would Exit His Standup Routine: With The Audience Wanting More.bTake ChargebI Like The Child Metaphor. If Youre A Parent, Youre In Tune With The Needs Of Your Children. Likewise, If Youre A Marketer, Shouldnt You Be In Tune With The Needs Of Your Audience? Following Are Eight Tips For Managing The Audience Relationship.iYoure The "parent."iTake Charge. Youre The Parent In The Relationship. What Does The Audience Want And Need? Good Parents Take The Time To Get To Know Their Kids. To Be An Effective Marketer, You Must Take The Time To Get To Know Your Audience.iTalk In Terms They Can Understand.iOnce You Know Your Audience, Talk In Terms They Can Understand, Determining The Language, Style And Tone Thats Most Effective. Sometimes You Must Educate Your Audience. Do It With Humility. Whatever You Do, Dont Come Across As Self-important. The Audience Will Always Seek Those Who Treat Them With Respect.iChildren Dont Work. Neither Should Your Audience.iChildren Learn And Grow Through Play. Its Not Work; Its Fun! Dont Make Your Audience Work Either. Give Them What They Want And Need, Making It As Enjoyable And Entertaining As Possible. A Caution: Dont Go Overboard With Humor. Its A Tricky Business. Use It Appropriately.iKeep It Fresh.iYou Want Your Child To Brush Her Teeth -- Only What Worked Yesterday Isnt Working Today. You Need A Fresh Approach. The Same Holds True For Your Audience. They May Get Bored. Much Like The Child, Your Audience May Get Tired Of Listening To You. Thats Why Its Wise To Periodically Adopt A Fresh Approach.iBe Dependable And Trustworthy.iDependability And Trust Are Cornerstones Of The Parent-child Relationship. Your Audience, Whether Consciously Or Subconsciously, Also Wants To Know What To Expect From You. This Is Often Called Branding -- Building An Identity And Credibility In The Minds Of Customers. Be Dependable And Earn Your Audiences Trust.iBe Enthusiastic.iChildren Are Naturally Enthusiastic, And In Case You Havent Noticed Enthusiasm Is Contagious. Thats Why Its So Effective In Sales And Marketing. Nothing Sells A Product, Service Or Message Like Enthusiasm. Pump Some Into Your Marketing Communications. If Youre Not Enthusiastic About Your Message, Who Will Be?iChoose The Right Media.iMy Daughter Can Now Talk On The Phone. We Can Have A Sensible Conversation. Earlier, She Wasnt Interested Or Capable. What Are The Best Media For Your Audience? Are They Ready, Willing And Able? To Communicate Effectively To Your Audience, Choose The Right Media.iStay Focused.i"Seinfeld" Boiled Down To Laughs. As Jason Alexander, The Actor Who Played George, Explained On PBS, The Laugh Reigned Supreme. Never Mind Statements About Life, Culture, Society And The Like. The Writers Focused Like A Laser Beam On Laughs. As A Result, "Seinfeld" Delivered Laughs To A Faithful Following Week In And Week Out, Year After Year.Whats The Focus Of Your Marketing Communications? Who Do You Want To Attract? How Will You Get Them To Follow? Its Time To Take Charge. After All, Youre The Parent.Copyright (c) 2006 Neil Sagebiel
