Once upon a time, this was Jeff Garlin’s standup act…
5 Places You Can Go To Find New Fans For Your Comedy
One of the biggest challenges you’ll face as a comedian is to figure out how to grow your fanbase from scratch. Especially when you have limited stage time, or if you’re performing at open mics for small crowds that consist mostly of other comedians, it can be difficult to figure out how to introduce new people to your comedy.
Creating content online and posting it on your website gives you the ability to reach people all over the world and expands your potential audience way beyond the people that happen to see you live, but even then it can be difficult to figure out how you get people to visit your site or view your content.
But, if you have an idea of who is likely to enjoy your style of comedy, there’s actually a few easy places to find those potential fans. Here’s six places that you can go to find new potential fans for yourself…
George Carlin talks about being motivated by other comics and what he learned from Sam Kinison.
The One Fear Every Comedian Needs To Conquer
When I talk to comedians about the state of their career and how they can take it to the next level, one of the first things I try to assess is why they’re struggling to get where they want to go.
In many cases, they need a better understanding of how to use all the tools at their disposal to grow their fanbase and further their career – something I’m always happy to help with.
But too often, what they need goes beyond a business and marketing strategy. What they actually need, first and foremost, is to conquer the fear of failure that prevents them from success.
This was Louis CK’s standup act in 1987…
Why You're Obsession With Getting Booked Is Actually Hurting Your Career
Every once in a while over on the Connected Comedy Facebook page I ask readers what topics they’d like to see me discuss in an article. Typically, about 70% of the comics who respond want to know more about how to get booked more and how to deal with comedy bookers.
It’s become abundantly clear to me that the vast majority of comedians out there are completely obsessed with the booking process and see it as the key to growing their career.
But here’s the thing: I think they’re wrong.
Not only do I think they’ve completely overrated the importance getting booked in growing their careers, I think their obsession with getting booked is actually having a negative impact on their career growth.
5 Things Worth Noticing On Comedian Steve Hofstetter's Website
I’ve met comedian Steve Hofstetter a couple times over the years, but I don’t know him that well and I’ve never worked with him personally. But I do know that he’s a hustler who has always worked hard at marketing himself which is why I decided to check out his website yesterday and see what he’s up to.
What I found was more than a few clever features, which I thought it would be helpful to share with you today. Here’s some things on his site that jumped out at me that may also inspire you.
The First Issue Of The Comedy Business Digest
I just sent out the debut issue of the Comedy Business Digest to subscribers. Here’s some of what the first issue includes:
• An exclusive interview with the audience warmup comedian for a major late night TV talk show.
• Information about a job opportunity with the most popular comedy website on the Internet.
• Details about Louis CK’s unique TV deal.
• Information about how you can connect with the head of comedy development at a major TV network.
• An opportunity to sell a funny story to a new TV show in development.
• Advice about how to pitch an animated TV series.
All this and much more in issue #1!
If you haven’t subscribed yet, here’s where you can sign up.
You Have To Be A Leader If You Want To Get More Followers
Just about every comedian I talk to always asks me the same question – “How do I get more followers?”
Whether they’re referncing Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, or their own website or mailing list, everybody wants more people to follow them and their activities. There’s no simple answer to this question, though obviously lots of the content on this site touches on different strategies that can help (including this post about why people should follow you).
But yesterday I read this recent post from music industry guru Bob Lefsetz and came across the following line: “Be happy, be equitable, be a leader. And then you’ll have followers.”
That sentence sparked a realization for me that the vast majority of the comedians who are asking me how to get more followers are not doing anything to be a leader.
