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Home » Blog » Moving From Open Mics to Paid Gigs

Moving From Open Mics to Paid Gigs

  • Posted by ChuckRoy
  • Categories 2020, Blog
  • Date January 14, 2020
  • Comments 6 comments
Moving From Open Mics to Paid Gigs
This article is part of a a series: From Open Mics to Paid Gigs.

Ideas that help new comics understand how stand-up comedians get paid for gigs.

Most comedians in the United States get started by performing on open mic comedy shows. One of the first signs of progress is getting booked for a comedy showcase. Sometimes, these showcases are paid gigs. Like you, most comedians are moving from open mics to paid gigs.

Objective

  • This article helps new stand-up comedians that are moving from open mics to paid gigs

First, let’s make sure everyone knows the difference between an open mic and a paid gig.

  • Open mic comedy show – a show where people try stand-up comedy
  • Paid Gig – a professional comedy performance

Let’s get started!

Comedy101 Track Team Starts a race
Just like our track team, you’re off to a fast start!

Some differences between open mic comedy shows and paid gigs.

  • At an open mic, the audience expects new people that are unprofessional.
  • The audience at a paid gigs expects you to be professionally funny.
Comedy Writing Challenge ! Which of your jokes are professionally funny?

What could you do if this happened to you?

You get a message from a professional comedian because they want to book you for a comedy show. “Hey, I think you are funny. Will you do my gig at G. Willakers Sports Pub next month? It’s a 10-minute spot that pays $25.”

The comedian tells you they’ve seen your act, know that you are new, yet, they have a strong desire to book you. Awesome! Since G. Willakers is close to your neighborhood, you can easily get to the gig and perform.

It’s a 10-minute spot, what’s a good thing that you can do to start preparing enough material?

Click here for the answer

Answer: Start a set list

One of the first things you can do is imagine yourself performing a 10-minute set on an upcoming comedy show. Make a set list, or outline of your comedy show.

Tips to help you build a strong set list.

  • Start with ideas for your first joke.
  • List all the jokes and ideas that belong at the beginning.
  • Add jokes and ideas for the middle of your set.
  • Determine which jokes and topic are part of the big finale.
Comedy Show Business Quiz

What do you think?

You’re booked for a comedy show at a brewery. The brewery pays one of the comics a fee. But the brewery doesn’t charge the audience for tickets. Some of your friends say you’re not performing on a professional comedy show because the audience isn’t buying tickets.

Is this an example of a professional comedy show?

Click here for the answer

Answer: Yes, it’s a professional comedy show.

You may only be getting paid a few bucks and the people paying you deserve a little show business courtesy. There’s a fee for a professional service; producing and performing the comedy show.

Now, go on stage and make your friends laugh so hard they spew beer out their nose!

You did it!

You completed the first section of From Open Mics to Paid Gigs.

  • In this article you learned about some of the basic steps comedians take to advance past open mics.
  • Hopefully, you learned that audiences have different expectation for open mic comedians and pros.
  • For everyone’s benefit, you’re going to write a ton of funny jokes and crush your sets.
  • Write more jokes, hit the open mics, and if you liked this article please continue to enjoy the series.

Check out the Comedy101 series From Open Mics to Paid Gigs

Suggested order

START HERE: From Open Mics to Paid Gigs (Series)

  • Moving from Open Mics to Paid Gigs
  • How some open mic comedians get booked for paid gigs
  • What do you need to get booked for paid gigs?
  • One secret to getting booked for your first stand-up comedy show

Scenario | Local Comedy Showcase

  • Differences between open mics and paid gigs
  • Developing enough material for gigs
  • Comedy Writing Challenge
  • Show Business Challenge

Laugh, like, share.

Please share this article with comedians in your neighborhood comedy scene.

Tag:Comedy Show Business, From Open Mics to Paid Gigs, Open Mics

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author avatar
ChuckRoy
    Hi! I'm Chuck Roy, professional stand-up comedian. I teach Comedy at the Community College of Denver and online at Comedy101. You may benefit from my experiences performing in TV Shows like Will & Grace and 3rd Rock from the Sun, plus movies like Ralphie May Presents and Louie Anderson Presents.

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    From Open Mics to Paid Gigs (Series)
    January 14, 2020

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    How some open mic comedians get booked for paid gigs
    January 14, 2020

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