Stage Presence and a global suggestion.

I'd like to make a global suggestion….Stage Presence should be respelled Stage Presents as in stage gifts. That's what an artist does on stage right? They give their gift of talent to an audience (okay…assuming they have talent) either way it's a gift…just might be one you didn't want to receive. But back to the topic…
How someone "acts" on stage has so much to do with how they are received. You don't have to be Kiss, Alice Cooper, Marilyn Manson, David Bowie, Madonna or the Red Hot Chili Peppers to have presence. For some artists, it's just a simple honesty. Being true to your personality (assuming you have a nice disposition) can be very inviting. But there are other things that affect stage presence. How the stage looks, how the band is set, cables, amps, etc. all make for a presence on stage. You may have heard me complain in the past about music stands. Use 'em when you need 'em but make them as discrete as possible. AND don't use them as a crutch. Don't stare down at your stand when you can be looking at your audience. Connecting with your audience is paramount. If someone gave you a gift and didn't look you in the eye when they handed it to you, wouldn't you feel a little dissed? At least a bit confused. Telling an audience to get up and clap is not the same as getting them to do it on their own. Making twisted faces because you're into it doesn't guarantee that your audience is into it. AND PLEASE don't ever let me hear that it's all about how it makes you feel. If you're happy on stage then you've done your job. Try that on any other relationship and see how far that mindset takes you. Although you may not be able to win over everyone, it's important to be cognizant and considerate of your audience. So next time you hit the stage, read the audience, find a way to connect and give, give , give!
Steve Belkin is a music business consultant, author of the Ebook "The Six P's to Success" and owner of Open All Nite Entertainment and an artist manager and partner with Left Coast Music Group.