Published By: Ankur Baruah

How to be a successful stand-up comedian?

You all love standup comedy, right? But for all the laughs it generates, it is one of toughest jobs to make people laugh. Standup comedy is one of the most intimate and intimidating forms of performance out there. Mastering standup comedy requires years of hard work and dedication—not to mention thick skin and the will to persevere, no matter how many times you bomb. But stick with it and you’ll reap the rewards: Becoming a standup comedian will help you hone your comedic voice, connect in a unique way with your audience, and even launch an acting career.

Standup comedy is a form of performance in which a comedian stands up stage in front of an audience and delivers usually a mix of jokes and longer humorous stories. Although material and performance style can vary wildly from comedian to comedian, there are a few things that are pretty universal when it comes to standup comedy as an art form. 

Standup comedy is a solo gig. Standup comedy is a one man or woman show. If you’re more comfortable performing as part of a team or ensemble, there are other forms of comedy—like sketch comedy.

Standup comedy is made up of prepared material. On the spot, the best and most iconic standup routines are the result of lots of practice and careful refinement. That said, the best standups also know how to think on their feet, especially when faced with a heckler.

Standup comedy is one of the hardest forms of comedy to truly master because it’s not just about writing a killer set of jokes. It’s also about finding your voice and presence on stage, honing the delivery of each punch line, and developing the mental tools to deal gracefully with a joke that bombs or an audience that just isn’t responding.

Here arefew tips on how to get started on this. Many comedy clubs offer classes, or you may find a local comedian who offers group classes or one-on-one instruction. This also helps to network with local comedians and other newcomers to the comedy scene in your city. Whether you take a standup comedy class or not, putting in time at open mic nights is pivotal for any up-and-coming standup comedian. Open mics give you the chance to perform and fine-tune your set in front of an audience.

Standup comedy is one of the most personal forms of comedy—and works best when your set feels authentic. Think deeply and critically about who you are in real life and who you want to be on stage. Make sure the two complement each other, even if they aren’t exactly the same. A great way to get started writing your set is to keep a journal or carry a notebook for off-the-cuff musings and observations. Consider the audience. Not every joke will resonate with every member of every audience.

All you can do is try to articulate your own life and your own issues in the clearest and funniest way you can, and trust people to find something to connect to.