How to Be a Working Comic By Dave Schwensen (Highly Recommended)
You will rarely find an Amazon product review listed in the Premium Article section of this blog. But this resource is an exception to the rule.
If you really want to know how to market yourself in the comedy club market…
You really need to get your hands on Dave Schwensen’s book How To Be A Working Comic. This book is one that I have personally owned and followed as a guide for developing my stand-up comedy promo pack and how to get comedy work using a variety of avenues.
This truly funny book about being funny is also a serious guide to the business of laughter and how to make it pay off. New York and Los Angeles Talent Coordinator Dave Schwensen shows how to get onstage experience and contact bookers, agents, and managers.
Schwensen, former talent coordinator for A&E’s An Evening at the Improv, reminds us that comedy is a business and provides specific and useful advice on basic issues such as headshots, resumes, and agents.
This book does not focus on the craft of performance–the Killer Stand-up Comedy System provides that high level guidance and instruction.
How To Be A Working Comic focuses on the basics of marketing yourself in the comedy club market as well as providing interviews from top comedians to reveal the “inside” of the comedy world as a business.
Nearly half of this book is devoted to brief interviews with 12 top comedians (e.g., Drew Carey, Rhonda Shear, and Rene Hicks). While Jeff Dunham observes that “comedy has taken such a nose-dive,” Schwensen does not otherwise acknowledge that comedians face a shrinking stand-up industry.
I simply cannot recommend How To Be A Working Comic enough if you want the tools and techniques to conquer the comedy club market!
About the Author/Founder of the SCP Blog
Steve Roye is the author of the Killer Stand-up Comedy System and is a globally recognized expert in the field of stand-up comedy material development and presentation strategies -- for entertainers as well as speaking professionals.Please check out the Featured Articles page for direct links to articles on this blog for pro comedians, comedy entertainers, and speaking professionals.
Last 5 posts by Steve Roye
- How To Deliver Stand-up Comedy Material Effectively - March 12th, 2010
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- Comedy Show Promotion Basics - March 8th, 2010
- Performing In Comedy Venues With High Ceilings - March 6th, 2010
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Tagged with: bio • comedian • comedy clubs • Comic • dave schwensen • get gigs • headshots • how to be a comic • resume • Self Promotion
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4.0 out of 5 stars
VERY cool book if you want to learn how to be a stand up comic!
I’m taking his one-day workshop so I bought the book to prepare for it-the book is very cool, down-to-earth, tells it like it is.
How To Be A Working Comic is the first book you should read before attempting a comedy career. It will show you how to get on stage, and what to do after you step off the stage. A book that is simple and easy to read and yet it covers every detail on getting a booker intrested in calling you. Dave you couldn’t have made it any easer unless you went on stage for me, and gave me the paycheck. Thanks a thousand laughs.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Valuable but not not concise
I believe this is probabaly an obligatory book for any person aspiring to become a professional comic and/or writer. Personally I found it cumbersome and a tiring read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to be a working comic
It made me laugh, it made me cry…
There are many books out there on the subject, but I’ve found this one to be the most concise and detailed one out there to date…
4.0 out of 5 stars
One hell of a businessman
Schwensen’s business-like nature is sometimes annoying. He name-drops a lot and fawns over the genius of Carrot Top, offering as evidence of his creativity the fact that he makes…
2.0 out of 5 stars
Does not offer much
This book deals exclusively with the business side of stand-up. It tells you what you need and what is important but only gives simple suggestions on how to achieve it.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Guide
This is the best guide to have if you’re serious about working as a comedian. Has proven ways to promote yourself and get bookings.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Different than the rest..and thats a good thing!!
“I am a beginning comic who just read your book and it has immediately got me going. I have read EVERYONE out there and this is the best.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Can be of some help
Apparently you have to be born a comedian, and born with a good business sense too. Then you keep practicing, practicing, practicing, in the clubs, not just in front of the…
5.0 out of 5 stars
Practical & Inspiring
I am a ventriloquist from South Africa and have been working the Corporate & Comedy Circuit for about a year.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very practical and supportive guide to a tough business!
This book was excellent! I bought it in February and by the end of April I’d had enough knowledge, confidence, and material to do eight shows in NYC and Philly.