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!
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.
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?
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?
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.
You may also like
STEP 3 Producing a Successful Virtual Event
6 Comments