I began writing this blog post with the intent of trying to get you to understand that Stand Up Comedy is a business like any other. Being Funny is only part (albeit necessary part) of the equation. You have to have people willing and able to come and see you. This is what Comedy Club owners/bookers are looking for.
Then I received an email from a Comic Ron Rigby.
He was promoting his performance at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle on March 23rd at 8pm to his fan base (which is HUGE!)
With his permission, I'd like to share some of what he wrote. I think you will find it helpful:
So here is the important stuff. I'm trying to go a little further in this comedy career and you would think that all
you would have to be is very funny! I've recently been been made aware that one of the other great things you can have in your corner as a comedian is a following, or a certain number of people that you can be somewhat sure will come see you. This is a pretty big part of why this evening is taking place....of the people performing on March 23rd, Mark Ridley wants to see who has the ability to bring in a good size group of people. Now, obviously you need to be a little funny along with all this but a decent comedian with no following is just a funny guy on stage talking to himself.
Being funny is obviously a large part of becoming successful in the comedy business which usually starts
locally. If you can bring in people in your area on a fairly regular basis, you will then have the potential to open or MC for some national acts. That is basically the goal for me at this point. If I can show Mark Ridley that I can bring in a decent crowd on occasion, I think he would be inclined to give me an opportunity to open for some big people. Then you go to the next step....but I'm beginning to bore myself to death so I won't go into the "Next Step" here today.
Alright, now that you have the big picture I will tell you that the show is $10.00 per head at the door (that's $20.00 for men...no, just kidding) but you need to call and reserve at table for as many people that will be coming with you. Equally important, is when you call to reserve your table, you would please tell them you are coming to see me because they are keeping close track of how many people are coming to see each performer...
Ron summed it up pretty well.
In the early stages or your career, you don't have name recognition to DRAW an audience. That's okay. But what you do have is plenty of friends and family you will support you if given the opportunity.
Ask for their help... you won't be disappointed!
