What Are The Basic Marketing Tools I Will Need As A Comedian?

The Essential Marketing Tools for Comedians

The first thing I need to point out is that a comedian must have a solid act before they can effectively engage in any sort of activities to market themselves.

The reason I say that is because there are people who don’t have a solid stand-up comedy act developed and, in some instances, have never been on stage, yet they have this false notion that they can somehow promote themselves as a comedian.

There are also comedians who have been performing for a while and can’t deliver a solid act, yet they are under the false impression that the “answer” to moving forward in their comedy career lies in marketing. That is a serious waste of time and money.

With that said, let me say that the very best marketing tool a comedian can have, above anything else, is a stand-up comedy act that kills consistently (generates an average of 18+ seconds of laughter for each performing minute).

The reason I say this is because it will be a comedian’s act that gets them recognized and considered for paid work in the comedy clubs.

The Importance of a Strong Comedy Act

It will be a comedian’s act that will get them recognized and considered for paid work by other more seasoned comedians who are running or managing comedy rooms.

For those comedians who have a clean act and are working in the corporate markets, it will be their stand-up comedy act that can result in referral work at virtually every show where they perform and kill the audience.

Three Primary Marketing Tools for Comedians

The three primary marketing tools a comedian needs, provided they actually have a stand-up comedy act that is marketable, are:

1. An Electronic Press Kit (EPK)An EPK is nothing more than a professional website with the comedian’s bio, comedy resume, headshots, testimonials, video clips, etc. It is a standalone website or a website service that basically tells a potential talent buyer or news media representative everything they need to know about you as it relates to your stand-up comedy career.

   Note: The instructions for putting together a professional EPK at no cost are included in the Killer Stand-up Online Course.

2. Offline Promotional MaterialsThese include a promo video on DVD, an extended and unedited performance on DVD, a paper bio and resume, promotional flyers, etc., for mail-outs. This applies mostly to those comedians who have a stand-up comedy act suitable for work outside the comedy club markets. However, with the exception of a promotional DVD or extended performance DVD, the EPK provides what is needed in the way of promotional materials unless otherwise requested.
3. A Business CardThere are only 3–5 items that are needed on a comedian business card: photo, name, title (e.g., Comedian or Comedy Entertainer), phone number, and Electronic Press Kit or website address.

   Probably the most important aspect of a business card is the phone number on it. Because people move, change phone service, etc., their phone number can change. I recommend using a free phone number (e.g., Google Voice) that can remain the same no matter what your phone number may be.

The Power of a Great Act

Still, it will be a comedian’s act that will bring them the lion’s share of opportunities to get paid work because nothing “sells” a comedian better than their live stand-up comedy act.

I will also be so bold as to say that until a comedian can average 18+ seconds of laughter for each performing minute on stage, the opportunities for paid performances are limited at best, no matter how great their “marketing” materials may be.