Derailing your comedy career

Entering a world of stand up comedy can be exciting and fulfilling. You discovered you have a gift of making people laugh and you are hoping to turn it into a lucrative career. Telling people that you are a comedian can paint this image of you being this cool, fun person with an exciting life and it will make you an interesting addition to many social circles. As someone who's been running professional shows and open mics for almost a decade, I've had an opportunity to witness the rise of many comedians, from their first days at open mics to getting Netflix deals, but I’ve also seen people making some notorious mistakes on their way to the top. 

Before I get into details I wanna state that there are many ways to be successful in this business. There are thousands of comedians out there that you’ve never heard of but they are successful in their part of the country or world, they are making enough money doing comedy to support themselves even though they are not household names. Some are comedians who are now successful producers, writers (books, screenplays, TV shows), and even club bookers and talent agents. When you spend enough years in stand up comedy you’ll eventually realize what area of this business you’re most successful at, what makes you happy and how you can monetize your talents in the best possible way. 

No matter what your future in this business holds, it’s important to recognize that, although we don’t always know what to do, we should pay attention to some of those things that can truly ruin your chances of gaining success in this very competitive industry. Ruining your career as a comedian can happen quickly if you’re not careful about your actions, behavior, and decisions, so let’s dive into some of the most common ways comedians derail their careers and how to avoid them.

Overconfidence without growth

Let’s say you had a good start. You had successful open mics, you even finished a comedy workshop where everyone loved you and your graduation show was a total blast. You got booked on shows. You posted clips online and strangers validated your work. It all looked like you chose right, this comedy thing is exactly what you’ve needed to turn your life around and have the most fulfilling career. You found your calling, you’re all set; and the reality is sure, you are good - for now. The problem is when you start believing that the way you’ve been doing things will always be that simple, or even enough. There’s a reason professional comedians will tell you that you will learn more from failure than from success. The bomb is stronger than a kill. Thinking you’ve “made it” too early can stifle your development as a comedian. Audiences and industry insiders can sense when someone’s not putting in the work, you are just milking the beginners luck. 

The reality is you will have to reinvent yourself every few years. It’s a normal progression as you not only grow as a person but also an artist. Things you used to care about will not matter anymore so you will need to explore those new parts of yourself in order to once again connect with your audience. It’s ok to be confident but understand that you will never have the luxury of not having to learn a new thing, try a new approach, make different connections and take risks. No matter how successful you get you will always have to refine your craft, endlessly hustle and convince people that you are still relevant. Just watch any comedy podcast that has seasoned comedians as guests. The common thing you’ll notice with all of them is how they are trying to adapt to this new era of comedy, where everyone with some downtime and a Tik Tok account is trying to be a comedian. Everyone is trying to figure out what their next step is going to be, and how to stand out. Most achievements require sustained effort, growth, and learning. Overnight success is rare and often misleading. Success isn’t just about the outcome; it’s about the journey. Celebrate your learning and personal development along the way. You also have to be open to experiencing setbacks and instead of seeing delays as failures, view them as opportunities to grow stronger and smarter.

Lack of professionalism

With a rise of social media there has been the rise of comedy content available to masses 24/7. Comedians are getting more opportunities than ever before, and at the same time, the competition is through the roof. Even people who didn’t start as comedians are starting to venture into this field simply because their social media presence was interesting enough in order for people to see them perform live. A comedy club will now host a live recording of a podcast, Wendy Williams style. The lines have been blurred and only those that know how to quickly adapt to trends but stay true to themselves will reap the benefits. 

When there’s so much comedy supply there’s no room for acting unprofessional. Showing up late, canceling gigs last minute, or being difficult to work with makes people hesitant to book you. Treat comedy like the job it is. Always be reliable, punctual, and prepared. It’s not always easy and it’s not supposed to be, but if you focus on developing your unique voice, writing original material, and continuing to experiment with new ideas, you will find your own lane. If you’re feeling stuck, take a break, it’s ok. Losing your passion for comedy or becoming complacent can lead to stale material and diminished performances. It’s much better to step back for a minute to gather your thoughts and feelings than to mindlessly chase everyone’s tail and lose your sanity. 

The big part of acting professionally is taking accountability for your actions. You will make mistakes and that’s ok. Make amends with people, don’t overstep boundaries and engage in behaviours that can put you and others in danger. Image is very important in the industry that requires you to be likeable. You have to pay attention to how you present yourself and that includes your personal hygiene, wardrobe choices, demeanor, and vices. If you struggle with substances, seek support and prioritize your health. The comedy world is smaller than it seems and word of mouth travels fast. Being rude, unprofessional, or disrespectful to other comedians, club owners, or industry professionals can limit future opportunities.

Getting emotional about everything

Regulating your emotions is probably the biggest weapon in this industry because your creative stamina will be tested every single day. On one end we are drawing inspiration from everyday' s life, which is requiring us to be empathetic, self-aware, open minded and expressive, as that influences our art, but on the other end we are perpetually overstimulated by the amount of (often negative) information coming our way through news, trends and controversies we are often expected to address, and in the attempt to be authentic we can issue inflammatory statements that can overshadow our talent and alienate fans. 

Making a career out of being outspoken is a risky business full of anxiety. The skill of developing thick skin while having thin patience is a challenge. On one end your artform is to make fun of everything that’s wrong with the society, to point fingers at injustice, while on the other end you have to deal with a lot of injustice yourself.  We all have our triggers and it’s important to know what scenarios will make us lose control and then find a regulating system for such situations. If you know you have anger issues that are magnified by your drinking habits then you need to prioritize stage time and minimize hanging out around these spaces that will put you in trouble. Do your set and go home and take care of yourself. Don’t become a cautionary tale. 

We all have bad nights. One night our jokes are killing, and the next crickets. Never lash out, blame the audience or the venue. Even if you feel they suck just push it through. Finish your set with dignity, thank the audience and get off the stage. Process your emotions in the privacy of your home, and recognize that it doesn’t mean that your jokes are not funny, it could easily be that the audience that night wasn’t relating to it in the way others will. That’s why we test our material in different rooms and adjust them accordingly. It’s important to know that you will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Joe Rogan and Hannah Gadsby don’t have the same following. Now imagine them being on the same show, someone will have a horrible time, for sure. 

Being an Eastern European woman on the American comedy scene taught me how to not take anything personally. At some point I just became numb to all the sexist, xenophobic jokes and gave these boys a taste of their own medicine. I’ve also learned how to deal with hecklers, stalkers, violent spectators and keyboard trolls. I don’t wait for others to give me opportunities, I create my own. I don’t expect everyone to like me, I find that highly suspicious. I don't feel I'm being authentic enough if everyone agrees with me. I wasn’t always like that but stand up comedy taught me how to stand up for myself, and that’s a huge part of having longevity in this business. You have to rise above it all and believe in what you are doing and most importantly why. If you are just chasing fame and prioritizing it over your craft it will lead to hollow success and eventual irrelevance. I’ve seen people quit comedy at the 5 year mark, at the 10 year mark, what makes you think that you will get a life-changing opportunity after doing comedy for a few years? There are a few exceptions but everything is temporary. Give yourself an opportunity to grow and then outgrow yourself, it’s all part of the process. 

Let me know in the comments what your experience is when it comes to witnessing all the ways comedians derail their careers.