It was a buzz to deliver comedy at the Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh a few weeks ago.
There was one surprisingly clear lesson for any presentation, which I share below.
The Monday night event at the Monkey Barrel really is a ‘show with a difference.’
It runs for three and a half hours (without a break) and features 32 acts in total.
I enjoyed listening to the other 31 acts – the standard was impressively high.
But there was one simple factor that separated the more effective acts.
They prepared a ‘set’ that was slightly shorter than their allotted time.
Each performer is given a strict five minutes.
When your time is up, they play the Fratellis very loudly, so you have no choice but to vacate the stage.
Performers know this and are understandably nervous about not finishing on time.
If you prepare exactly five minutes of material, you’ll almost certainly run over.
Laughter and audience interaction eat up precious seconds.
Prepare for four minutes, though, and those extra moments of laughter bring you home right on time.
Feeling like you’re losing the battle against the clock has a negative impact, sometimes heavily so.
I saw a lot of performers who started well but then realised they were behind time.
Their reactions varied:
- Some people sped up and slightly lost the connection with the audience
- Some people took shortcuts but in doing so weakened the set-up lines and they got fewer laughs
- Other people just stopped before the end and missed out on a strong close
I’ve seen the same thing happen in the world of presenting.
When speakers know they’re behind time, their performance often deteriorates.
They rush, lose focus, and their energy drops.
My advice? Always prepare for slightly less than your allotted time.
That way, audience reactions, questions, or extra moments won’t push you over.
You can stay relaxed, handle interaction confidently, and know you’re still on track.
Finishing early isn’t about cutting content – it’s about creating space.
It shows control, confidence, and respect for your audience’s time.
Leaving them wanting more, not watching the clock.
For more presenting advice – check out the following article on capturing and keeping your audience’s attention with given the graveyard slot…
