Are you thinking about hiring a comedian to perform at an event you are organizing? If so, there are a few things you’ll want to know. In this article, we’ll share tips on how to find and book a good comedian for your upcoming show.
Define the Event
One of the first things you’ll need to do is establish the type of event you’re looking to host. First-time organizers might not understand the importance or reason for doing this, under the false assumption that an event is just an event, but this isn’t the case at all. Clearly defining the event, intended audience, and expectations are all important. Equally important, these things need to be communicated with the potential comedian. The reason is because some comedians prefer certain audiences or specialize in particular areas.
For example, some comedians get a thrill from the unexpected and enjoy performing at local venues in the city. While other comedians take a different route and will specialize in corporate events, either providing the entertainment or mixing humorous anecdotes within a keynote presentation that relates to the overall theme of the conference. And there are plenty of other styles and presentation formats in between. That’s why you need to define the event and communicate this information to the potential comedian ahead of time.
Understand the Audience
After defining the event itself, you’ll want to consider the people who will be attending. These two factors typically go hand in hand, particularly when it’s a private function. If the event is open to the general public then you’ll have to think big picture about the people who are most likely to attend. However, if the function is a private event like a corporate party, conference, or family gathering then you might be able to get a better idea of the typical attendee and their comedic interests.
Do Your Research
Just as audiences differ in their taste, comedians differ in their comedic styles. Not every comedian can appeal to every audience. That’s why it’s important to do your research and book a comedian whose style will suit the intended audience.
Before settling on a comedian, watch them perform either in real life or request a recorded performance. Don’t watch clips because those can be deceiving. It’s easy to appear funny in a 2-minute clip but it’s another thing to hold that level of humor throughout an entire 30-45 minute set. Another tip would be to get a second opinion from someone who will be at your event. You could ask a trusted friend or colleague for their input before making a final decision. Since you won’t be the only person in the audience, it’s best to ask for another person’s opinion on whether the comedian would be a good fit for the event.
Negotiate a Good Deal
After making a decision, then you’ll want to communicate clear expectations and negotiate an arrangement that is a good fit for both parties. This way you both know what to expect and you’re happy with the agreement to move forward.
