043 COMEDY CONTESTS - GOOD, BAD AND THE UGLY [podcast] - a podcast by Rik Roberts
from 2015-04-09T23:30
No doubt about it, at some point in your comedy journey you will be invited to - or thrown in the middle of - a comedy contest. In response to a listener question (thanks Brent!) we spend this episode weighing the pros and cons of participating in comedy competitions.
My first inadvertent night onstage, I found myself the lowest ranking comic in an ongoing contest. Looking back, it was hard to lose since I didn’t know I was even playing. Now, with 23 years under my belt I have some strong opinions on what makes these events worthwhile.
We talk specifically about:
- Challenging the idea of even judging an art form in the first place
- Weighing the results of “audience response” based contests
- Potential benefits of a night judged by industry folk (bookers, agents, etc.,)
- Why having only one goal can set you up for failure
- The benefits of having to prepare “your best set”
- Leveraging that seven minutes onstage for other opportunities
- Why the green room may not be the best place to hang during the show
- How a contest can help raise your profile
- Why you should choose to focus on things that you can control
- Using a contest to “set a stake in the ground” to mark your progress
- How the contest may pay off several years down the line
- Off stage goals you can set to help propel your career
- One mindset to help you far beyond winning a contest
And much more!
I hope this episode gives you plenty to think about when you sing up for a competition. I would love to hear you success stories!
Best wishes!
NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST
Better yet, subscribe to the bi-monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free useful and fun. Email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:
This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs. If you want to learn about becoming a stand-up comedian, or just become a better one - visit the wwwSchoolOfLaughs.com web site.
If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.
@SCHOOLOFLAUGHS on Twitter
Further episodes of School Of Laughs
Further podcasts by Rik Roberts
Website of Rik Roberts