Comedy is a great industry to get involved with. Here are a few tips on comedy techniques how to get started on your own routine, strategies on how to apply your skillset, and what areas to target.
What is your material focus?
Do you have a target audience in mind? You should. When you’re starting out, you’ll have general routines that are widely applicable to most people. However, over time your target audience will present itself. Having this in mind for when you structure your work is a great way to acquire a new basis of audience members, reoccurring themes, and higher success in your comedy.
Which comedy medium is in your long-term goals?
Getting started in comedy varies in the medium available. Some are lucky, with a combination of preparation and opportunity, where they are able to get jumpstarted on the big project they’ve always wanted to do. Otherwise, you need a foundation to get started through. Now, this is likely an avenue you are not as comfortable in. If sketches and cartoons are your bread and butter, sometimes stand up work is your best avenue to the industry. Whichever you can sink your hooks into and really develop is where you should start.
What kind of sketches and strategies make YOU laugh?
This is a great place to start for creating your own material. Also: your enjoyment is the audience’s. When you love what you’re doing, it shows. Take this into account when you are creating your routine goals. This will help the structure flow with a bit more smoothness.
Utilize your strengths!
Your strengths are all you should cater to. Many comedians early on make the mistake of trying to cater all of their routines to the general public as a whole. Also, this deters some comedians from their work. They don’t want to make a routine work for every person that listens to it. Remember what your strengths are! Take those strengths the rest of the way, and you’ll be able to take your routine to the next level.
Who has done a similar comedy routine successfully?
If you have an intention in mind on how you want to present your material, find someone that does it well. Take a look at their material, how they present their work, and what they do well. Then, it’s great to get a second opinion. Have a friend or family member watch the same routine, and compare it to how you present your work. Even if they are unfamiliar with the industry! The same can be said about the majority of your audience.
Also, don’t only look to the greats. Local comedy clubs or bars in the area is a great way to get more ideas from local talent. Fortunately, you can actually talk to these people! Approaching people in the industry is difficult at the later stages. When you can do that with local talent, smaller venues, you can get takeaways on a regular basis on how to improve.
Still, if you don’t have a routine skeleton that you need, here are some good places to start.
What types of routines are there?
Slapstick Comedy – This takes a very specific type of personality to work effectively. In the case you don’t have it, playing into a character is a great start. This can be really effective as well, it just depends on how strong you can be in your delivery confidence.
Situational and Conversational Comedy – Widely accepted. Situational can be really effective for the more general public. Great place to start.
Dark Comedy – Dark comedy can be treacherous territory. How your audience reacts to early bits will be indicative for the rest of the night. Be prepared to have extra material in the case that this doesn’t work.
Explore the art of comedy techniques from the best in the business. Jeff Zaret, a renowned local stand-up comedian, shares his expertise to help you master the craft and deliver uproarious performances that leave a lasting impression. If you are looking for a local comedian, reach out to Jeff as well!