--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your only guidepost is your own instinct…" description: "\"Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious editing. In my stand-up act I learned that in the first 10 minutes I could say anything and it w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/steve-martin-593_audience_your-only-guidepost-is-your-own-instinct_691185.jpg" --- # Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious… ![“Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious editing. In my stand-up act I learned that in the first 10 minutes I could say anything and it would get a laugh. Then I'd better deliver. In the movie it's the same thing. You get a lot of laughs when people first sit down and then the story…” quote by Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/steve-martin-593_audience_your-only-guidepost-is-your-own-instinct_691185.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/steve-martin-593_audience_your-only-guidepost-is-your-own-instinct_691185.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/steve-martin-593_audience_your-only-guidepost-is-your-own-instinct_691185.jpg) > “Your only guidepost is your own instinct and judicious editing. In my stand-up act I learned that in the first 10 minutes I could say anything and it would get a laugh. Then I'd better deliver. In the movie it's the same thing. You get a lot of laughs when people first sit down and then the story better kick in. Many years in front of an audience, I would hope, give me a sense of what works.” [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective storytelling starts with a strong hook; after grabbing attention, the content must deliver on that promise. **In simple terms:** Hook the audience, then deliver. Key Takeaway Begin with a compelling opening, then follow through. Themes storytelling comedy structure audience engagement Mood entertaining educational Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - business presentations - public speaking - writing - teaching Key Concepts narrative arc humor timing performance dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your main content lives up to the initial hook? - What techniques keep the audience engaged after the opening? A Different Perspective A weak follow‑through can disappoint and lose credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audience/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Kicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kicks/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) ## Related quotes > [Oprah's aspiration to inspire her audience with hope - elaborated on her TV show, in her magazine, and on her website - is hardly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-siegel/oprah-s-aspiration-to-inspire-her-audience-with-hope-elaborated-on/) [Lee Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-siegel/) > [Save your tears for the ones that matters, ladies. 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