How to Get a Comedian Booked
Getting a comedian booked at a comedy club or other venue takes effort on the part of the comedian and the agent responsible for booking gigs. Though not every open slot at a club or event will automatically sign the comedian, if you promote and market properly you will increase your success rate. Knowing how far to push the talent you represent is another factor in being agent or manager who is easy to work with.
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Things You'll Need
- Resume of comedian
- List of performances going back three to five years
- Videotape of recent performance
- List of typical jokes or routines used in the performance
Instructions
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Watch a comedian perform in person. Take notes about the performance and see how the crowd reacts to the routine. Write down the date and time of the performance and detail the type of crowd, the amount of people in attendance and the fee charged for the show. Repeat this process for six to 10 performances so that you have current and relevant data to use in promoting the comedian.
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Videotape multiple performances. Use editing software to create a video showcasing highlights from recent shows. Make sure to include entire skits, monologues and joke routines in complete sections. Have copies of the video made or compress files if you will be sending the videos via email. Consider using a professional videographer if you want professional-grade results.
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Talk to comedians in person. Ask for their availability and have them note on a calendar or sheet of paper all of the days they are and are not available for performances. Ask the comedians to tell you exactly how far they are willing to travel for performances.
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Write an overview letter about your services as a booking agent for the comedian you choose. Include a summary of the comedian in the letter. Specifically list the type and style of comedy performed. For example, if the comedian performs an adult-themed routine, note in the letter that the comedian is best suited for late night performances and venues where everyone in the crowd is over the age of 21. If the comedian performs family-friendly routines, note that point in the letter and suggest that the comedian can fill early evening and daytime slots. Make sure to state in the letter that you are seeking to book the comedian for upcoming performances.
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Personally address your letter to the general manager or booking representative at each venue, nightclub, comedy club, restaurant or bar that's within traveling range of the comedian. Before sending the letters out, make sure to verify that each location has featured comedians at least once in the past as a form of live entertainment.
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Create a package to mail out that includes the letter of introduction, head shots of the comedian and a copy of the performance video. Include your business card, which must have all relevant and current contact information on it. Mail the packages out and make a note in your calendar to follow up with all contacts two weeks later to check on their levels of interest.
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Consider approaching different trade associations and other organizations for extra performance dates. Some businesses, schools and civic clubs have occasional comedy nights and use the services of comedians at times.
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Tips & Warnings
Always be on the lookout for potential performance venues and dates.
Maintain a master list of potential places for the comedian to work and write next to each venue whether the performance there was a success or not and what the rate of pay was.
Never promise the services of your client unless you are sure the comedian will be able to adhere to the schedule and fulfill all obligations.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
