Several years ago at the World Series of Comedy, the guy who ran everything had all the comedians in a room together and he told us this:
“All of your non comedian friends think you are so weird for doing this. And they’re right! But all of us in this room right now, we get it . To everyone else it may seem crazy to drive or fly 6 hours for a 5 minute unpaid spot of stage time…but to us it seems completely normal and worth it. Life is all about finding your people, and these are your people.”
Comedy is a business of relationships, and it is essential to build relationships with the other comedians. It’s also the best part. Through my time in comedy, I have met some of the most fun and unique people, and their impact on my life has made me a better person. Through meeting different comedians from across the country, it’s expanded my own worldview and helped me gain a deeper perspective on life through their unique creative lens.
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes interacting with your comedy scene can feel way to much like hanging out in the high school lunch room. Yes, there are cliches, and politics, and social rules people will tell you that you “have” to follow.
Some people may tell you to find your cliche and settle in, because that’s how you get booked at first with like minded people that will appreciate your style.
If that works for you, great. I found that style didn’t really work for me. I think if you want to play the comedy long game, try to avoid local scene politics and to fit in to “the popular kids group” whoever that may be. Instead, (to loosely quote the Bible) do your best to live at peace with everyone.
Keep becoming funnier, keep showing up, and eventually you’ll earn everyone’s respect, not as one of their buddies, but as a funny comedian who is a nice person. And if they end up never respecting you, Eff ’em!
From a comedy business angle, it is very important to build relationships with other comedians, and here are a few reasons why!
Comics Book Other Comics
At a local level, most comedy shows are booked by comedians. This is probably not a shocker to you. What this means, is those comedians are looking for other comedians to perform on their shows….and one of those comedians could be you!
It’s no secret that for a lot of newer comedians, starting a show is a great way to network with better comics. If you are new and start a show, make a point to only book comedians that you think are better or “further along” then you. This is how you can start building a working relationship with these performers. This also forces the comedian to be in a room with you! And then they have to hear your routine. And hopefully, they like it and see your value!
Sometimes it works organically. I’ll book you on my show, and we become friends and you like my material. Then, hopefully, the next time you are booking your show, you remember your new funny friend Drew, and you book me to be on that show.
Sometimes it’s very much NOT organic. Comics will straight up say, “I’ll put you on my show if you put me on yours.” And it works! Both of you benefit.
Either way, if your first question as a new comedian is “How do I get booked more?” The first step, get to know the other comedians in your area that are booking shows!
Comics Vouch for Each Other
I hate how accurate the statement “It’s all about who you know” is in standup comedy. When I first started comedy and I asked questions like “How do I get booked?” snooty comedians would tell me “Just Be Funny” and I am here to tell you…that’s an overly simplistic and really unhelpful answer.
If the question was “How do I become a good comedian?” Being funny would be the top priority. If the question is, “How do I get booked?” I am not even sure it’s in the top 5 to be honest!
Within that top 5, however, I would add it’s all about who you know and impressing/connecting with the right people. (Being funny does really help with this!)
Here’s the way it works. If I email any comedy club right now sending them my avails, the best video, and all the info they like in the best possible way it will likely not even be read. I could be the best comedian on earth, and that won’t change the fact that the email will likely not be noticed.
HOWEVER, if I have a comedian friend that texts the owner that they have a good relationship and says, “My buddy Drew is coming in town…could he get some time on the show this weekend?” Boom, I’ve likely got a spot! No email necessary…most these places don’t even check their inboxes anymore.
Now…what happens after that is a lot on me. If i bomb on stage, that’s bad for me and my comedy friend, and I’ll likely not get booked there again (and their reputation as someone with good comedic taste suffers too)
Especially when you first start out, don’t turn down any opportunities to do any shows, no matter how small, because you never know who else will be on that show with you. And one of those people, might have a connection that will help get you further down the road.
This is one of the biggest reasons comedians should participate in comedy festivals and comedy contests as well. You will meet comedians from all over the country and even if you lose a contest or spend lots of money to drive to a 5 minute spot on a festival, you are expanding your network and that could pay off later.
Comics Understand Each Other
The more you do comedy, the more you realize that comedians are a special and unique breed. I think the longer you do it, the more you give yourself permission to live into that creative and unique persona. It’s hard to explain, but one thing is for sure….You’re non comedy friends and family won’t get it, but your comedian friends will.
The world of standup comedy is tough at times, but more often then not it’s a lot of fun and will take you on some really cool adventures. The places you perform, the weird people you meet, the cool things you get to do, and all the experiences you will have will make for some really great stories! However, your “normal” friends who aren’t comedians won’t want to hear about it much. Sure, maybe when you start they will at first…but it’s hard not to talk about standup comedy and NOT sound like a narcissist. (Maybe that’s because all comedians are at least a little narcissistic…I am unsure!)
I used to open and and start telling anyone who would listen about the really cool and weird things that happen in standup comedy…but then I noticed the looks I would get from family and friends, and so now when anyone asks me how standup comedy is going, my response is a simple, “It’s going good! How’s your life?”
But comedians get it
It’s nice to have comic friends who will swap killer show stories with you. Or can laugh at the embarrassing bombs you have had recently. Or who can be excited for the big or small opportunities you have. Or who are present at the festival, or show, or whatever with you. Or who have sat through the same terrible open mic week after week as you both have gotten your 5 minute work out in at the cost of listening to SO MUCH bad comedy….other comedians will become like your old war buddies, and it’s a unique, special, and awesome experience.
Working with comedians isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though. In next week’s blog we’ll talk about things to watch out for as a comedian when it comes to interacting with other comics!
Did I miss anything in this article? Do you have any thoughts or feedback? Feel free to comment below with any reflections and let’s keep the conversation going!
