An audience has momentum. If one person laughs, it is more likely that a second person will laugh. If one person cries, it becomes more likely a second person will cry.
Its just a quirk of human nature. The larger the audience, the higher the likelihood of building momentum because it will be likelier that at least one person will laugh. So, its easier to get a
larger audience reacting than a smaller one. That means you want to perform in front of larger audiences to get more feedback on what within your poetry and performance works. Thats why you need to find
ways to get in front of other peoples audiences.