Being a stand-up comic is not for everyone. There is a lot of rejection as with anything else, but this rejection happens while you are standing on a stage all by yourself in front of other people. If you can be successful at it, however, it can be very profitable. There are no shortcuts, and time has to be paid, so pay attention to five keys to successful stand-up comedy.
- The Writing
Content is everything. A comedian is nothing without good material, and the audience will let you know it. Finding a niche for your writing and comedy style will take a while, and it may be bumpy, but stick to it. Work on it until you find your style and delivery. It takes time. Writing jokes is different for everybody. You will probably even see your style change over time.
- Practice
As with any talent, you have to practice at stand-up comedy. You may be able to go and throw out a few jokes, but to take an hour’s time slot means you have to be well prepared. Practicing means rehearsing in front of anyone you can any time you can. Practice your delivery, see what works and what doesn’t, and keep innovating. It is honing a skill like any other, and it will take trial and error to perfect.
- Venue
Doing stand-up for your folks is good practice, but you won’t make any money at it. For that, you need to go a step further and get yourself booked. This isn’t necessarily at comedy clubs either, especially when you are first starting. You will probably need to start at open mic nights at local bars or clubs and work your way up. Put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to fail. Get into every place that lets you, if anything, it will be good practice. Eventually, you will make your way to comedy clubs and can start making a name for yourself.
- Pay Your Dues
This is part of working the crummy jobs to get to the gold at the end of the rainbow. Don’t expect to get discovered and shoot to superstardom overnight. Know ahead of time that it will take years to work your way up, but don’t let that discourage you. Everything good comes with time. This will start as a second job for most people since it won’t pay the bills right away. Some places don’t pay you at all, but it is part of earning your right to be at the top.
- Keep It Fresh
As we said earlier, writing is everything. But that also means that you will need to stay with the times. Humor will change, people’s attitudes will change, and your writing should change as well. Make sure to keep your routine fresh if it stops getting laughs. It’s time to put it to bed.
Keep these five tips in mind if you are looking to begin a career as a stand-up comic. Make sure to revisit them throughout your journey as well. It’s always good to remember the basics.
For more help on your comedy journey check out The Clean Comedy Podcast or The ComedyPreneur Show available on all podcast hosting sites.
