--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's too easy to underestimate your…" description: "\"It's too easy to underestimate your audience. But it's not rocket science: bad plays don't get people on seats; good plays do.\" — Sarah Lancashire" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/sarah-lancashire-5243_bad_it-s-too-easy-to-underestimate-your-audi_1638814.png" --- # It's too easy to underestimate your audience. But it's not… ![“It's too easy to underestimate your audience. But it's not rocket science: bad plays don't get people on seats; good plays do.” quote by Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/sarah-lancashire-5243_bad_it-s-too-easy-to-underestimate-your-audi_1638814.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/sarah-lancashire-5243_bad_it-s-too-easy-to-underestimate-your-audi_1638814.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d86/sarah-lancashire-5243_bad_it-s-too-easy-to-underestimate-your-audi_1638814.png) > “It's too easy to underestimate your audience. But it's not rocket science: bad plays don't get people on seats; good plays do.” [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Underestimating the audience leads to poor engagement; success requires understanding and appealing to viewers. **In simple terms:** Know your audience to succeed. Key Takeaway Study your audience before creating. Themes marketing communication entertainment Mood practical analytical Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - theater production - film making - live performance - digital content creation Key Concepts audience analysis engagement strategy Questions to Reflect On - How can you test audience reactions early? - What methods reveal audience preferences? A Different Perspective Audience tastes change quickly, making predictions risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience Rocket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience-rocket-548859/) [Bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) [Bad Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-plays-548858/) [Easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easy/) [Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good/) [Good Plays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-plays-536732/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Rocket science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rocket-science/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Seats Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seats-good-548860/) [Too easy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-easy/) [Underestimate Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate-audience-548857/) ## Related quotes > [You're going to have hardships, you're going to have a lot of good plays, you're going to have bad plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-flores/you-re-going-to-have-hardships-you-re-going-to-have-a-lot-of-good/) [Brian Flores](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-flores/) > [It's my job to get us in good plays, or more importantly, out of bad plays. That's what I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-brees/it-s-my-job-to-get-us-in-good-plays-or-more-importantly-out-of-bad-2/) [Drew Brees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-brees/) > [There's going to be good plays that happen and bad plays that happen, but at the end of the day, when you have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-dalton/there-s-going-to-be-good-plays-that-happen-and-bad-plays-that-happen/) [Andy Dalton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-dalton/) > [It's my job to get us in good plays, or more importantly, out of bad plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-brees/it-s-my-job-to-get-us-in-good-plays-or-more-importantly-out-of-bad/) [Drew Brees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-brees/) > [A couple of seats at a good picture house cost comparatively little but give a generous return in the shape of freshened minds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivor-novello/a-couple-of-seats-at-a-good-picture-house-cost-comparatively-little/) [Ivor Novello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivor-novello/) > [I don't feel like I need to preach to the world or nothing like that. I just feel like I share what I say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erykah-badu/i-don-t-feel-like-i-need-to-preach-to-the-world-or-nothing-like-that/) [Erykah Badu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erykah-badu/) > [You don't have to underestimate your audience anymore. They'd actually like to laugh a little bit. So, the character came to me and once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/you-don-t-have-to-underestimate-your-audience-anymore-they-d-actually/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [You mustn't underestimate an audience's intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-hamlisch/you-mustn-t-underestimate-an-audience-s-intelligence/) [Marvin Hamlisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-hamlisch/) > [Don't try to be just like some other singer hitting it big - find your own style and be honest in your performances. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bennett/don-t-try-to-be-just-like-some-other-singer-hitting-it-big-find-your/) [Tony Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bennett/) > [I don't think there's any way you can worry about how many errors or how many bad plays you've made. You can get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-giles/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-way-you-can-worry-about-how-many-errors-or/) [Marcus Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-giles/) > [I'd like to think I am a good coach but I've called bad plays. I've coached bad practices. I've made bad substitution choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/i-d-like-to-think-i-am-a-good-coach-but-i-ve-called-bad-plays-i-ve/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [You have to go through your reads and you have to make smart decisions because if you start forcing it in to double coverage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-cassel/you-have-to-go-through-your-reads-and-you-have-to-make-smart/) [Matt Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-cassel/) > [You know your goals and what you need to do to get better...just eliminate the bad plays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-manning/you-know-your-goals-and-what-you-need-to-do-to-get-better-just/) [Eli Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-manning/) > [It's kind of a given from the day you start playing football, you can't throw the ball forward past the line of scrimmage -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-bortles/it-s-kind-of-a-given-from-the-day-you-start-playing-football-you-can/) [Blake Bortles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-bortles/) > [I play for my own love and enjoyment of the game. And to win. Thats what I play for. Most of the time, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kobe-bryant/i-play-for-my-own-love-and-enjoyment-of-the-game-and-to-win-thats/) [Kobe Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kobe-bryant/) ## More by Sarah Lancashire > [Now that I'm in my late 40s, I'm trying to make up for a little bit of lost musicals time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/now-that-i-m-in-my-late-40s-i-m-trying-to-make-up-for-a-little-bit-of/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [It started at 49 with 'Tango in Halifax' and then 'Happy Valley.' I can't complain at a time when most actors are disappearing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/it-started-at-49-with-tango-in-halifax-and-then-happy-valley-i-can-t/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [It's a joy doing 'Tango.' I'd do it till the day I die, frankly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/it-s-a-joy-doing-tango-i-d-do-it-till-the-day-i-die-frankly/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [Sometimes it's necessary for soaps to hang on to an audience by sensationalizing, but it's a beast I don't understand any more, an art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/sometimes-it-s-necessary-for-soaps-to-hang-on-to-an-audience-by/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [Watching your own work doesn't get any easier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/watching-your-own-work-doesn-t-get-any-easier/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [Acting is a subtle combination of hiding and revealing yourself, and as I'm not an extrovert, this is painful for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/acting-is-a-subtle-combination-of-hiding-and-revealing-yourself-and/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [If someone was walking round in a T-shirt with Sarah Lancashire on it, I'd find that very disturbing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/if-someone-was-walking-round-in-a-t-shirt-with-sarah-lancashire-on-it/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > ['Tango' is very much an ensemble piece and I was devastated when I read the script.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/tango-is-very-much-an-ensemble-piece-and-i-was-devastated-when-i-read/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I come from a line of women who can bake, so I think I've inherited a bit of family knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-come-from-a-line-of-women-who-can-bake-so-i-think-i-ve-inherited-a/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I own a copy of the original 'Talking Heads' by Alan Bennett, which I purchased many years ago shortly after they were first broadcast.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-own-a-copy-of-the-original-talking-heads-by-alan-bennett-which-i/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [The writing is only ever the attractive thing about a part. And also if all the elements within the writing come together - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/the-writing-is-only-ever-the-attractive-thing-about-a-part-and-also/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [Age affects us all in the workplace. We all get a little less appealing as we get older, unfortunately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/age-affects-us-all-in-the-workplace-we-all-get-a-little-less/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I just hold out for pieces where I immediately feel an emotional connection with a part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-just-hold-out-for-pieces-where-i-immediately-feel-an-emotional/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [You have to have brilliant people to work opposite, and then it does become like a real tennis match and this is our sport.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/you-have-to-have-brilliant-people-to-work-opposite-and-then-it-does/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) > [I do have a slightly rebellious streak in me, I'm afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-lancashire/i-do-have-a-slightly-rebellious-streak-in-me-i-m-afraid/) [Sarah Lancashire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) [Explore all 102 Sarah Lancashire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-lancashire/) ## More Bad quotes > [If I am going to be phased out by whatever powers, then I want people to know that it is not because I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parvathy/if-i-am-going-to-be-phased-out-by-whatever-powers-then-i-want-people/) [Parvathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parvathy/) > [Sometimes I'm in a bad mood, sometimes I'm in a good mood. It's like everyone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricky/sometimes-i-m-in-a-bad-mood-sometimes-i-m-in-a-good-mood-it-s-like/) [Tricky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tricky/) > [Unfortunately, we all go through bad phases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushmita-sen/unfortunately-we-all-go-through-bad-phases/) [Sushmita Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushmita-sen/) > [The Derby experience had not been good for me and the way it finished left a very bad taste in my mouth so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-pearson/the-derby-experience-had-not-been-good-for-me-and-the-way-it-finished/) [Nigel Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-pearson/) > [What people tend to forget is the journey that I had getting to Formula One. There were plenty of years where I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-hamilton/what-people-tend-to-forget-is-the-journey-that-i-had-getting-to/) [Lewis Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-hamilton/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [I listen to heavy metal thanks to my son. When I argue with him on the kind of music he is listening to, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zeenat-aman/i-listen-to-heavy-metal-thanks-to-my-son-when-i-argue-with-him-on-the/) [Zeenat Aman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zeenat-aman/) > [I've said it before, good people are forced to do bad things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angus-cloud/i-ve-said-it-before-good-people-are-forced-to-do-bad-things/) [Angus Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angus-cloud/) > [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [One thing I always tell players is that there are three bad things: Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-saban/one-thing-i-always-tell-players-is-that-there-are-three-bad-things/) [Nick Saban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-saban/) > [Everybody has bad days, but how you respond to it is a testament to whether you are a winner or a loser.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-gordon/everybody-has-bad-days-but-how-you-respond-to-it-is-a-testament-to/) [Aaron Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-gordon/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [I felt pretty good growing up. I didnt feel a lot of prejudice or racism. But I do remember, if there was going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-henry-hwang/i-felt-pretty-good-growing-up-i-didnt-feel-a-lot-of-prejudice-or/) [David Henry Hwang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-henry-hwang/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [My conscience is really active. So I feel bad about spending excess amount of money on things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/syd/my-conscience-is-really-active-so-i-feel-bad-about-spending-excess/) [Syd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/syd/) [Browse all 7,973 Bad quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's too easy to underestimate your audience. 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