Starting Your Stand-up Comedy Act: Your First 60 Seconds
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For those who are seriously trying to learn stand-up comedy, you should be very much aware that your first minute on stage is critical—it sets the pace for the remainder of your stand-up act, whether you are performing for 3 minutes or 60 minutes.
In this Premium Article, I’m going demonstrate how to get the most impact, step-by-step right from the very beginning of your stand-up comedy routine—in your very first 60 seconds on stage.
It’s really not hard to do, provided you are armed with a bit of information and you are willing to apply that information. So, if you are ready, let’s get started.
I have mentioned before that one of the things that you DON’T want to do is to appear that you are in a hurry to get to the microphone and start talking. You ALWAYS want to appear relaxed and in complete control.
This is important because having the appearance of being relaxed and in control can dramatically affect how an audience perceives you and responds to your stand-up comedy act—before you ever say a single word.
I am going to use an example of original comedy material that I could start off my own stand-up comedy act with quickly and with power.
But before I jump into the meat of this lesson, let me say this:
Always remember that it’s not the words that make your comedy material funny—it’s how you say those words, complete with attitude, conviction, body language, facial expressions and voice and tone variations.
Keep this in mind as I present the beginning stand-up comedy material example below.
After you have been introduced and you have thanked the audience for coming to the show…
The clock starts ticking. You have 30 seconds or less to capture the audience’s attention and get them laughing. The quicker you can get to your first punchline and get a great laugh, the greater the impact you will have on the audience for the rest of your show.
You also need to know that after you have been introduced and have thanked the audience…
You are in the middle of a conversation, as if you have been talking to that audience already and now you are just changing the topic.
There is no need to re-introduce yourself (unless it is part of your first stand-up bit). You simply jump right into the topic you want to talk about.
HINT: You need only review a few pro stand-up comedian videos on YouTube to see this in action. Make sure you review videos that have the comedian being introduced before they actually start performing.
OK, I have just been introduced to the stage. I have the microphone in hand…
Note: This article is one of two in the Advanced Comedy Writing Package that is provided as a bonus with the Killer Stand-up Audio Training Course when it is made available.
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I truly hope that you have benefited from this Premium Article. Please let me know with your comments — there is a comment box at the bottom of this page.
Cheers,
Steve Roye
The Professor of Funny For Money
About the Author/Founder of The Stand-up Comedy Professional
Steve Roye is the author of the Killer Stand-up Comedy System and author of the content made available in the Comedy Pro Membership Program available on this site. Over the past decade, Steve has established himself as a leading, globally recognized expert in the field of stand-up comedy material development, delivery and entertainment business strategies for comedy entertainers as well as speaking professionals.
For more information about Steve, please check out the About The Author section on this site.
Steve,
Another great article. Its helps to have your perspective and coaching.
Russ
It makes perfect sense…I don’t know how many times I’ve seen comics “reintroduce” themselves…I definitely don’t want to be redundant again…a great little tip that really should become second nature.
Hey Steve,
This is the first thing I have ordered from you and I’m very happy. I had a pretty good night at a gig a couple of weeks ago, when my bubble was burst by a woman that said “You’re so funny. Whenever you go up I think eh, she’s funny but then toward the end, you’re hilarious!!”
I was just thinking about how to re-shape my act to be funny witout having to ‘warm-up’ to it.
Also, I have a habit of when asked how to introduce me I say “whatever” and now I see the point of writing out something for the MC to say.
Thank you, I’ll be checking out more of your products!
Great article, Steve! Information like this is “pure gold”!
Steve,
A great article. I have a chunk I am working into my act that is a series of real life stories from younger, foolish days with my friends. The bits making up the chunk are stories my friends still tell each other when we get together. To use them in my act, I have combined separate events into one story (bit). For example, we went “pool hopping” on many occasions. We collapsed an above ground pool on one occasion, we had warning shots fired over our heads on another, and we all climbed on a wood fence once to see if anyone was home, only to have the fence fall over. They all became one story, which makes it a very funny, tight bit. It works on stage because I deliver it as a true event. It was true, just not on the same night.
Keep ‘em coming!
HI Steve,
Once again you hit the nail on the head.
Applying your techniques just last night, I rocked the show I was in while performing against a bunch of so-called Top TV comedians here in Germany.
Many of them get their material written by script-writers who don’t understand the importance of getting those first laughs fast.
If you pull the audience into your circle in that first 60 seconds, you can keep them following your comedy rythym through the rest of your set.
Thanks for your mentoring, you Rock!
Cheers, Smiles and Laughs,
Johnny Hollywood
a.k.a. Crazy J Rotnem
Johnny Hollywood’s last blog post..If They’re Laughing, They’re Learning
Very good Steve, I thought I had all your secrets already.