Whether you are just getting started with stand-up comedy or looking to add an act to your set, there is a stand-up career for everyone. From seasoned veterans to new bloods looking to take their stand-up to the next level, there are always newbies and old pros alike who will teach you how it’s done. So before you go out and find a new gig, learn how alternative comedy can help you get your career on track. Here are 5 alternative gigs that can help you get started in stand-up:
Get to Know Yourself Before You Go Up on Stage
Before you ever step into the stage, you must know yourself well. This is the first step to any profession. If you don’t know yourself well, you will never be able to take your comedy to the next level. This means having a good understanding of your body and how it works, your mental state, and what makes you tick. You also have to have a good sense of timing. If you are constantly doing wrong, it will make it much harder to correct yourself as you will constantly be looking back to see what happened.
Make some Great Friends
If you love to spend time with people, you will love to spend time with stand-up friends. This is the perfect time to meet some of the funniest people in the world. Whether you are in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, there is a chance that someone in your age group will become a friend of yours. So don’t be shy in saying hello to your friends in your age group. If you are an existing friend, make an effort to meet new ones. You will never be able to collect as many laughs from old friends as you would from new ones.
Have A Scratch Utilizator
This is the best and most basic of all stand-up comedy clubs. It is so simple, yet so versatile. You can set up your laptop on the stage, and if someone wants to do stand-up, they can do so without a laptop. This means no extra set-ups, no extra lights, nothing but your best self and your laughter. You will never spend the night clubbing at a couple of local clubs. It is the best way to meet people in your age group who you might get to know better over the years.
Have An Internal VCR
This may sound like a no-brainer, but many people don’t have the cash to move to Las Vegas. They are afraid of their assets being stolen, or they are afraid of being detected as fraudulent. If you have the capital to spend, or you know someone who does, this is the gig for you. It is almost impossible to steal. You can purchase the equipment for a few hundred dollars, or you can rent it for a few months. If you are into the old school, you will need a VCR, which is what this machine is. The best VCRs come with a remote control, which comes with one part that is amazing, the remote control. It has buttons that are easy to operate, yet hard to press. This is what lets you create real time specials, and you can also record your set.
Take Your Comedy to the Bank
With so many options when it comes to stand-up comedy, it is easy to forget that there is one thing you need to do completely separate yourself from the rest: take your comedy to the bank. This means no more traveling, no more paying for materials, no more putting up a sign on the side of the road, and no more direct eviction from the house. You need to put your money where your mouth is, and this means putting pen to paper. Most comedy clubs will give you a free subscription to their magazine, which you can use to promote your act. This way, you will be ready when the time comes.
Don’t Forget About The Lineup
If you are new to stand-up and you need space to set up your set, or you just don’t feel like doing a lot of traveling, it is an option. There are stand-up tours and tours for actors. There are stand-up tours for professional athletes. There are stand-up tours for people who work in creative fields. The lineup is what makes or breaks your stand-up career. If you are reading this, it is because you want to get your career started. The lineup is what keeps your competitors at bay, and it is what keeps you on the cutting edge of modern stand-up. It is what keeps you laughing. It is what keeps everyone in the audience laughing.
Conclusion
In order to stand-up effectively, you need to learn how to use your brain, use your humor, and use your contacts. Your act should be emotionally based, and your material should be action-driven. This requires an interesting and challenging set up, which is what stand-up is. You can’t just throw up your hands and get it over with. It takes time, dedication, and practice to get the hang of it. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to stand-up comedy, only yours, and the support you gain from your friends. That’s what stand-up is all about. There are ways to get better every day.
