Being a standup comedian can be very rewarding – what better feeling than making others laugh and feel good?
However, the industry is a crowded and competitive one that can be hard to break into.
Follow these tips to set you up for success and carve a path in the stand-up comedy realm.
Put Your Pen to Paper – And Narrow it Down
Keep pen and paper handy, as you never know when inspiration may strike.
You will want to continuously be crafting material for jokes so you have a wide and deep repertoire to pull from if you’re booked for a gig.
Determine your style of comedy and home in on that. You want to stick to what you do and know best. Is situational content your forte? Do you prefer physical comedy? Do you cater to mature audiences or are you family friendly?
Knowing your niche will make it easier to pitch yourself to potential bookers and market your personal brand widely.
Watch Other Comedians
Look to comedians whose work you admire and study how they act on stage and the ways in which their jokes are crafted.
Go to your local comedy club and take in acts there, so you are exposed to a wide range of comedy.
Network
When you’re at those local shows, look for an opportunity to network with other comedians. You’ll not only find like-minded colleagues, you’ll find people who may introduce you to even more people in the field, widening your network.
Go to Open Mics
Many venues offer open mic nights frequently; you should head to one and sign up.
Open mics are great testing grounds for new material or first-time stage goers. The crowd often does not expect a fully polished act and can appreciate an amateur.
Industry people often frequent open mics scouting for talent. You may get lucky and perform on a night when a booker is looking for their next act.
Shoot for Small Screen Fame
Reality television has been a big part of the entertainment industry for years now, and there are shows that specialize in comedic acts. People like Tony Baker and Amy Schumer have helped their exposure by appearing on NBC’s hit show Last Comic Standing.
Head to open casting calls for these shows in the hopes of landing a spot and showing your chops to a wider audience. If you can advance week to week on a competitive reality show, it means people will become more familiar with your face as they see it in their homes weekly.
This exposure may grab the attention of talent bookers, giving you access to networks you may not have been able to break into before.
Even if you don’t win, you will have gained connections and exposure you didn’t have before.
Go For A Slightly Bigger Stage
While open mics and comedy clubs are great, you might also want to look into comedy festivals that host a myriad of acts.
You can be billed alongside bigger acts and may garner new fans and attention by sharing the stage with others.
Alton Clarke was born and raised in Syracuse. He has written for MSNBC, The Business Insider and Passport Magazine. In regards to academics, Alton earned a degree from St. John’s University. Alton covers entertainment and culture stories here at Diving daily.