How To Start Getting Booked On Shows As A New Comedian

by Andi Whiskey

Table of Contents

1. Network With Other Comedians
2. Go to Local Comedy Shows
3. Get Good, Get Booked
4. You Need All These Elements to Move Forward
5. The How-To of Getting Booked
6. Your Journey is Your Own
7. My Story

So you’ve been writing jokes, getting up at open mics, putting in some time. Now you want to know how to start getting booked on “real” comedy shows.

It takes work, it’s not easy, and don’t rush it. We have a few little pieces of advice to help get you there.

Alex Petit, a well known show producer around San Diego, offered his two cents:

Ask for feedback and advice. Get a writing partner that is better than you at comedy and show up at shows without any expectation, offering to help. At the end of the day that helps, but you ultimately need to be funny first to get on my stages.

Network With The Other Comedians

San Diego-based comedian Michael Hall dropped some notes for newer comics:

So when I first moved here, I made sure to work on having friends in the community. A base. Instead of thinking about bookings. Because that’s where the bookings would come from, my friends. Other comics who were cool. I was new in town and figured, if I had organic relationships with people, it would help me out in life and in the stand up scene. If that makes sense.

Also, I made sure to perform material about my family and life. Nothing political, or topical. Just stuff about me so other comics could get to know me better.

Open mics aren’t just about working out your jokes. They’re about meeting other comedians and producers around town. Many producers will go to open mics or even put on their own open mics, as a way of keeping an eye on up and coming talent in the scene.

Other ways to network include social media. There are groups like the SD Comedy Scene’s own group, the San Diego Comedy Scene Facebook Group. Nearly every city has their own group or web site of some kind, so when you’re meeting other comedians, pay attention or ask if there’s a way to get tapped into the local scene. 

Once you find your community within the comedy scene, you can start asking for feedback on your jokes and advice for how to get up. Make sure you’re finding ways to contribute and give back to the scene, as well. Don’t just take take take. (Something I did when I was starting out is ask a comedian friend out to brunch and bought them some drinks in exchange for tolerating my questions).

Oh but hey. Don’t be annoying about it. I feel like it doesn’t need to be said, but never cold call someone on Instagram at 11:30pm at night, just because he shared a blunt with you at an open mic. Unless it’s Fedwon. Then go for it. He loves that shit.

Go to Local Comedy Shows

A little note from Ben Rixen, local San Diego comedian:

If someone is newish, they should get to know their scene. Go to watch the booked shows, you'll help fill a seat and also see what type of acts get booked and the producer could eventually offer you a spot.

Going to the local shows will help teach you a lot about the community, comedy, and how to navigate your local scene.

• You’ll learn how local shows work. Every community has different norms and nuances, and going to the shows will help you learn about how your local comedy community puts on shows.
• You’ll learn some basic show behavior and structure. For example, you’ll need to know the difference between a showcase and a feature show. And when you’re starting out, it’ll be easier for you to get on showcase shows that are getting newer comics up in between more experienced comics.
• You’ll see the quality of comedy needed to get booked. Watch how the comedians perform and be realistic about your own skill level: are you as polished? Do you need to look at your notes? Do you time your set well enough to fill the whole allotted time without going over?

You can find a list of recurring shows around San Diego on our site.

If you’re at the local shows, be respectful. Don’t expect special treatment, especially if you’re new to the scene. Show up, support the venue, laugh, clap, cheer with the audience, etc. Don’t be a distraction and don’t bring negative energy to the space. That matters at a show.

Random advice: Stop going to comedy shows on dates

If you’re single and doing the dating apps things, this is particularly pointed. Potential dates will find out you “like stand-up comedy” and suggest it as a date idea. But when you’re at shows, you’re working now. That’s how it goes. You’re there to learn and network, and that’s not a place to bring a date anymore. 

I learned that the hard way early on, when I brought a date to one of the major venues shortly after I had started doing open mics. 1. He didn’t laugh at anything and so the comics on stage picked on him. 2. The comics recognized me and pulled me into the “green room” after the show to meet the producer, and I ended up rudely leaving my date behind. (It’s fine, he was lame) 3. I got asked to do 5 minutes on a guest spot on the late show and I had to say no because I was there on a date, and missed an opportunity to perform at a good venue.

It might seem like a no-brainer to some, but just something to keep in mind. This applies to bringing rowdy or disrespectful friends to shows, as well. You have a reputation to maintain now.

Get Good, Get Booked

Don’t put the cart before the horse. Get good. Put the work in and keep getting up at open mics. 

A lot of mics around San Diego regularly have bookers showing up. When your set starts sounding more polished, they will take notice.

Jorge Paz, may he rest in peace (just kidding, he just moved up to LA) shared his own bit of advice:

Don’t be so hung up on bookings; the bookings will come. Just keep ironing out your set at the mics.

Keep your ego in check as you go. Keep getting up on open mics, keep writing, keep showing up and being present. And if you don’t initially get booked on shows you reach out to, don’t take it too personal. Take the feedback and keep working at it.

And on that note, like Alex Petit said, don’t be afraid to ask people at open mics for feedback on your set. Just be prepared to take it maturely and do something with it. Or… don’t do anything with it. Comedy is subjective and everyone’s style is different. Yeah, that’s an ambiguous, wishy washy bit of advice, but what can I tell ya… That’s comedy.

You Need All These Elements To Move Forward

Victor Paz Jr., Founder of Kacklez, has some top level nuggets for new comics that sum it all up.

Make a 5 minute clip of you killing, ask for feedback from better comics on your sets, be present in the community: open mics, local shows, find a writing group, always be writing, take good classes, and find mentors if you can. 

I can't give just 1 [piece of advice], they all matter. Like some folks are present in the community but ain't trying to improve or write. Some [are] always writing but they ain't present. So no one knows how funny they are. But stage time and being hungry for it in a way where you want to deserve it [matters]. I want to earn that time on stage. Because I worked to be better.

You heard the man.

The How-To of Getting Booked

Besides just showing up to mics and doing your thing, you also need a minimum of a 5 minute clip of your set. Make sure the audio is good. Make sure you're also not actively running the light or doing any other bad habits (like leaving the mic stand between you and the audience). 

When you're ready, find a show that fits your skill level and style. Find out who the producer is and how they like to be reached out to (sometimes there are instructions, so do your homework). Then reach out respectfully with a brief message.

What to have in the message when you're just starting out (this will change as you go):

• A 5 minute clip of you doing well (pro tip: cut out the host introing you, they don't care about that)
• A brief message asking if they'd consider you for a future show, and it helps to name their show to show that you did your homework and aren't just copying and pasting blindly.
• How much time you can confidently do (be realistic, don't be dumb. If you only have 5 strong minutes, say that).
• What days you're available (if their shows are on Saturdays, give them some available Saturdays up to 1-2 months out). 
• Any credits you currently have, but you might not have any yet, and that's okay.

It really helps to do your homework so you don't sound dumb. Look up what shows they produce and where and if there are any instructions on how to submit to be booked. 

Your Journey Is Your Own

This is hands down the most important part. We have a conglomeration of advice in this article, but to be honest, your journey is going to be unique to you. You just have to go out and do it. 

Keep getting up at mics. Keep recording your sets. Keep writing better jokes. Keep learning from others. This will ultimately shape your comedy, your writing style, your delivery, and your trajectory. And get you booked.

Local Tidbit for San Diego Comedians:

Do you have a 10 minute set you’re ready to do on stage? Aaron Trahan runs an awesome show/open mic called Comedy or Worse at Quantum Brewing. After showing up and going up for his open mic (5 min spots) a few times, you can reach out to him about being a featured comic for a 10 minute spot. It’s a great way to be able to practice doing a longer set. You can see more details about his open mic and show on the Comedy or Worse Slotted page.

My Story, Just An Anecdote

Everyone’s journey is different, so this is purely anecdotal. 

I was lucky to make friends with one of the well-known comedians in Denver at the start, let’s call him Scott because his name is Scott. One day, I went to one of his shows, a well-produced showcase at a wine bar. Afterwards, he invited me to one of the hottest open mics in town, at a special little dive bar owned by a comedian. It was THE spot in Denver to be as a comedian, our local comedian hang. 

And it was a hot mess. Comedians were loudly chatting it up at the back of the room, while audience members were at the front, half paying attention to the onslaught of punchlines and shenanigans on stage. And after a handful of drinks, out of nowhere, I turned to Scott and told him that I thought I could do what the comics were doing on stage.

He laughed in my face, told me that’s what everyone says, and took another swig of his well whiskey. I resolutely told him I would. And after that night, I started writing my first 3 minutes.

I began practicing it every minute I was alone. I would say my set while driving, with music playing so that I could get used to performing with background noise and distraction. I was obsessive with it for the 2 weeks leading up to when I finally got on stage.

That first open mic for me was electric. I delivered my whole 3 minutes, I got laughs, I was filled with adrenaline and dopamine, and I was hooked immediately. I ran right up to Scott after I got off stage and asked, "How'd I do?"

"Fuck you." Followed by a swig of well whiskey.

After that, I was going to at least 2 open mics a week from then on. I asked to tag along with Scott, and he would tolerate my nervousness and questions, and encourage me to get up. He made a point of introducing me to other comedians he thought I should know in the scene, as well. (In retrospect, I think he was just trying to hand me off so I would bother someone else with my questions for a change…). 

For a month, I was at open mics and attending shows every other day, meeting everyone, working on my mix of 5 minutes, trying out some new things here and there, and dialing in the good-ish 5 minutes I had. I asked Scott to brunch on Sunday mornings regularly, to pick his brain about comedy. 

And then six weeks into doing comedy, I got my first guest spot on my first show. 

It took all the pieces to come together: hustling hard at mics 3+x a week, dedicating five hours minimum a week to writing and research, and it was thanks to one of those friends I made at the mics. 

I was at an open mic I went to every week since first getting up, just doing my thing. After I got off stage, a friend invited me to come with him to a local distillery. He was on a show there and he said I should meet the woman who ran it.

“You’ll like Lisa, she’s great.”

I showed up and he checked in with her to let her know he was there, and he introduced me, “This is Andi. She’s a comedian, too.”

Lisa turned to me and immediately said, “You want to do 5 minutes?”

“Uhh sure! Yes, yeah, that’s great. Yes, please.”

“Great! You’ll go up after Cory.” And she ran off to continue preparing for the show.

And there it was. I asked my friend to record me. And I did it; in front of a real crowd, I got up on a real stage and looked out at people waiting for me to be funny. I did my 5 minutes that I had done over and over at open mics and in my car with music blaring.

I got laughs, real laughs from a real audience who had paid to be there, albeit sporadic and weak laughs because hey, I was new. Still, it was a rush and I was hooked.

After that, I had a real clip with a real audience. I sent it out to some producers to ask to be booked on their shows, and just kept hustling. I kept writing, kept getting up at mics, kept meeting other comedians, recorded every single set, even if it was just audio. And within months, I was booked on shows weekly. My booked shows came from a mix of being present and meeting people at shows and mics, as well as recording all of my sets until I finally had some halfway-decent clips to send out.

It really is a mix of perseverance and just doing all the things to keep moving forward.

So go out, get up, meet folks, get good, give back, and keep at it.