In my continued self-analysis and stand-up comedy analysis I am now trying to treat my stand-up career more as a business. As such, I've started with a business plan so that I can properly plan for the future:
http://stuchopslaws.wordpress.com/2010/07/05/stand-up-comedy-business-plan/
Any other stand-ups on here ever developed a plan of attack or is it more of a "give it a go and see what happens" type of activity?
Tell me you're going to use clip art in your Edinburgh show.
I think this will be my 2011 show. And yes, the clip art will definitely be used.
I look at stand up a business...monkey business
Not many theatres will book a naked guy, howling and throwing feaeces at the audience.
I blame "'elf and safety."
Warning - Dull and serious answer follows.
In the last couple of years I've adopted a more structured approach to thinking about my "career" in stand up and now at regular intervals (generally about 6 months to a year) I have a think about what I've achieved in the last year and where I want to be in the next year.
I set myself some achievable goals and then think about what I need to do to reach them. Generally these involve improving the skills which are required to be a good comic and break down into one of three categories;
1) writing - producing the material, writing jokes, etc
2) performing - improving performance skills, rehearsing, going along to new material nights
3) marketing - selling yourself to promoters and bookers. Working out what unique saleable skills you have and making people aware of them.
It's not the most enjoyable part of the business, in fact it's my least favourite, but if you want it to be a "business" rather than a hobby then I think, to a certain extent, you have to treat it like a proper job and, unfortunately, it's a sales job, you have to learn to be a good salesperson.
Lots of comics have got a long way on quite a small amount of comedic talent but a lot of confidence and the ability to sell themselves. There are a lot of very talented people out there who aren't getting the gigs, the TV spots, the radio etc because they can't market themselves.
I wish this wasn't the case but unfortunately it is, there's an awful lot of "business" in "Show Business".
Yeah, exactly. Although I am approaching this partly as a new direction for my comedy for next year I am also aware that I've now been doing it for almost four years but with zero focus on why and what I want from it.
Your three categories is an excellent sum up of what the focus should be.
Quote: Tony Cowards @ July 7 2010, 9:16 AM BSTif you want it to be a "business" rather than a hobby then I think, to a certain extent, you have to treat it like a proper job and, unfortunately, it's a sales job, you have to learn to be a good salesperson.
Lots of comics have got a long way on quite a small amount of comedic talent but a lot of confidence and the ability to sell themselves. There are a lot of very talented people out there who aren't getting the gigs, the TV spots, the radio etc because they can't market themselves.
The wisest of words.
Don't have enough experience to say but BUT if you haven't yet read it may I recommend Logan Murray's 'Teach yourself Stand-Up'?
Typical stand-up's weekly business accounts...
OUTGOINGS.
Travel/Petrol - £220
De-icer & Methylated Spirits - £100
Kebabs - £80
Alcohol - £250
Prostitutes/Drunk Audience Members - £500
Cocaine/Crack/Heroin - £1000
Child Support Payments - £1500
Penis-enlargement Pills - £100
Legal Fees - £3000
The World's Funniest Pub Jokes! Vol. 32 (Krankie Press) - £5.99
INCOME.
Performance Fees - £50
Sperm Donor Clinic Payments - £30
Resale of Items Stolen from Hotels/B&Bs/Homes of Audience Members Shagged - £80
Blowjobs (to execs at Corporate Events)- £60
Sale of Live Performance CDs (all blanks, no refunds) - £15
Ebay Sales of Faked Signed Photos of Fred Macaulay/Gina Yashere -£8.52
Street sale of prescription methadone & Librium - £40
I'd say you're spot-on there Chopz. I think every half-decent stand-up who ever gave up (self included) had invested too much emotionally into their work. I returned to performing after many years away, once I had developed a more professional approach.
And you're right, there is something inherently funny in deconstructing something as individualistic as stand-up into a business plan. You can even use your audiences as a focus group to help improve your work rate. And if you have some already-prepared power point put-downs for the inevitable heckles you might get (eg 'don't give up your day job', 'quit now') that will only enhance your show.
Quote: Tim Walker @ October 4 2010, 2:12 PM BSTTypical stand-up's weekly business accounts...
OUTGOINGS.
Travel/Petrol - £220
De-icer & Methylated Spirits - £100
Kebabs - £80
Alcohol - £250
Prostitutes/Drunk Audience Members - £500
Cocaine/Crack/Heroin - £1000
Child Support Payments - £1500
Penis-enlargement Pills - £100
Legal Fees - £3000
The World's Funniest Pub Jokes! Vol. 32 (Krankie Press) - £5.99INCOME.
Performance Fees - £50
Sperm Donor Clinic Payments - £30
Resale of Items Stolen from Hotels/B&Bs/Homes of Audience Members Shagged - £80
Blowjobs (to execs at Corporate Events)- £60
Sale of Live Performance CDs (all blanks, no refunds) - £15
Ebay Sales of Faked Signed Photos of Fred Macaulay/Gina Yashere -£8.52
Street sale of prescription methadone & Librium - £40
You got a problem there Tim.
You can't put food down as a business expense!
Which is the real reason he had the op
Sootyj aims to become a recovering comic and earn £7.50 a gig