Finding a comedian for an event can be tricky. There’s more to it than just finding someone who can tell jokes on stage and get a few chuckles. It’s all about finding the right comedian who will truly click with your intended audience and create an environment of laughter and enjoyment.
Here are a few tips you need to know about finding a comedian for your next big event.
Know Your Audience
One of the first and most important steps when booking a comedian is to take the time to really know and understand your audience. What are the basic demographics of the people who will be in attendance? Will the audience be around the same age (ex. college event) or will it be a mixture of ages? An 18-year-old college freshman is probably going to have a different taste in humor than a 50-year-old business executive. Does the audience tend to lean more liberal-minded or do they sway more conservative? Does the audience have a similar background with common interests, or will it be a more diverse crowd? You would likely book one type of comedian for your church group and a completely different comic for a casino.
It’s important to know your audience. Since the intention is to provide an entertaining experience where your attendees can laugh and enjoy themselves, then you’ll want to understand their idea of funny.
Consider the Event / Venue
The next thing you’ll need to consider is the type of event or venue. While this point goes hand in hand with knowing your audience, it’s important to draw out why this factor is important. Consider the event or venue and any other relevant key points worth noting. Are you booking a comedian for a large corporate conference where people have been tirelessly networking on the floor all day and just want to let loose and relax or are you looking for a comedian to perform at an exclusive members-only golf club where a certain level of decorum is expected? Do you want to hire a comedian for a cruise ship, which means a large, diverse group of people, or are you interested in promoting a comedy night at a local bar where attendees are likely to be from the same city and have shared experiences?
It should also be noted that people won’t always find the same type of comedy funny in every situation. You might roar with laughter in the privacy of your home watching a darker comedian tear apart social norms but shudder at the thought of hearing the same material while sitting next to your boss or with your church group. Consider the atmosphere, theme, and expectations of the event.
Do Your Research
Once you’ve identified what you’re looking for, then start researching comedians who can entertain that type of audience and/or specialize in that setting. Just because a comedian is funny, doesn’t mean he/she is meant to entertain every crowd. That’s why it’s extremely important to know your audience. Think of it like music. Let’s say you have an inside connection to the hottest rising pop artist. If you put her on stage in front of a crowd of screaming teenagers then she’s sure to rock the stage and your audience will be raving about their experience on social media for days. But if you put that same singer in front of a bunch of rowdy bikers then there’s a chance she’ll get tossed off stage before the chorus hits. The point is, it’s important to research comedians that would be a great fit for your target audience.
Your research should be thorough. Carefully vet the comic you find by viewing their work and asking for references. Don’t base your judgement on a single short video clip. Try to watch full sets if possible. You might find a funny 2-minute bit on the comic’s website or YouTube channel but that doesn’t necessarily mean he can carry a 45-60 minute set for your audience. If that comic only has one joke that connects with your audience then that will be the longest hour of your life and will create a horrible experience for your attendees. As noted above, you’ll also want to ask for references. If you’re paying good money for the comedian then ask to read a few testimonials or, better yet, request the contact information from a few former clients.
Professional comedians, who are confident in their ability to entertain, shouldn’t have any issue with allowing you to contact previous clients to hear their experience firsthand.
Communicate
Lastly, initiate an open conversation with the comedian. Be upfront with your needs and expectations. Ask the comedian to describe their material, who inspires them, and to rate their style (G, PG, PG-13, or R). Find out whether the comedian would feel comfortable performing for your intended audience.
Once you’ve had this conversation, you’ll have a good feeling on whether that comedian will click with your audience or if you need to keep searching for a better fit.
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