Every time you step on a stage, you start fresh.
People have carved out precious time, spent money, booked babysitters, and fought through traffic to be there. The moment you step up to the mic, they owe you nothing. It’s your job to create a moment worth remembering.
And that doesn’t start with perfection. It starts with connection.
Lucie Burns said something on the podcast this week that really stuck with me. She said, “For the performer, it’s about the audience. For the audience, it’s about the performer.” If you’re on stage worrying about how you sound, look, or come across, your energy is focused inward. That’s when things start to fall flat. Because the audience can feel that too.
You don’t get their trust just for showing up. You have to earn it.
And you do that by treating your audience like guests, not gate crashers.
Imagine inviting people into your home. When they show up at the door, you don’t look past them or mumble something while staring at your feet. You smile. You make eye contact. You open the door wide and make them feel like they belong there.
That’s the vibe you want on stage.
I know it’s easy to get in your head. Especially if you’re nervous or struggling with imposter syndrome. But here’s the truth no one wants to say out loud: if you don’t feel connected to your audience, sometimes it’s because you’re the one with the walls up. And they’re just mirroring you.
We’ve all seen performers who are technically perfect but emotionally closed off. It’s uncomfortable to watch. You start scrolling your phone, whispering to the person next to you, waiting for it to be over. Not because they’re bad, but because they’re not there with you.
And we’ve also seen performers who are raw, real, even a little messy, but totally magnetic. Because they’re giving. They're grateful. They’re present. They’re opening a door and saying, “Come on in. Let me share something with you.”
That’s what makes a room light up.
And, it's what will make you more PROFITABLE because your audience will respond by buying merch and coming to future shows.
So how do you flip the script if this is something you struggle with?
Start before the show even begins. Decide that your goal is to make your audience feel seen and welcomed.
Warm up your energy, not just your voice. When you step on stage, look at them. Smile. Feel grateful they’re there. And give, even before you get anything back.
Let the audience feel your generosity. Let them know they’re valued.
It’s not always easy. But it is always worth it. Because when you show up that way, your audience reflects that energy right back. That’s when the magic happens.
I’d love to hear from you on this. Hit reply and tell me — what keeps you from creating a welcoming experience for your audience?
Always in your corner,
<3 Bree
P.S. If this resonates, go listen to my full podcast interview with Lucie Burns. It’s packed with performance wisdom, real talk about nerves, motherhood + touring, and some incredible tools for building confidence on stage.
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