Timing Is Everything

You've heard that in comedy, timing is everything. That's true, but really, timing is essential with all communication. You always have to look at any messages you have within the context of other messages floating out there, the mindset of the audience. For example, Abraham Lincoln was not an abolitionist when he ran for president. It was only after he became president, after the Civil War started, that he took a stronger position on that issue. You always have to look at the immediate context, not just as a politician in a political environment, a business environment, a social environment. You have to look at the mindset of your audience, whether they're receptive to your messages. Now, if you're trying to communicate to a broad, broad audience through the media, timing is especially important. If a Supreme Court decision comes out involving labor law and you're a labor attorney and the decision is released at 10am having a three or four sentence soundbite that's either attacking the decision or praising it and emailing it to reporters by 10:30 that day is good timing. You might get on one or two or five or even 20 talk shows, news programs, interviews. If you write a beautifully crafted 750 word op ed piece and start submitting it to news outlets 36 hours later, chances are you might not get any placements or any interviews because it's just too late in the news cycle. There is a timing issue for news cycles. There is a timing issue for speeches, for public opinion, certainly for comedy. With everything you do, look at how your messages fit into the larger context of what's out there.