One of the search terms that some people use to find this blog is “What are my chances of becoming a comedian?”
I’m going to attempt to answer that question and I can assure you that most people WON’T like the answer that I have to offer.
Before I go any further, let me say this — anyone’s chances of becoming a comedian are ZERO if they don’t try in the first place. But I’m going to let YOU determine what your chances of becoming a comedian really are based on information provided below.
Now we come to the part where I’m supposed to say that everyone has a real shot at becoming a comedian, everyone has the potential to entertain an audience, all you need to do is buy my system, blah, blah, blah. But I’m not going to do that because it wouldn’t be true.
Here’s the real truth about your chances of becoming a comedian if you can handle it:
1. MOST people do not possess the single most important attribute needed to become a successful comedian or successful entertainer which is persistence.
From that perspective, one’s chances of becoming a comedian are similar to one’s chances of getting a college degree. A little research will tell you that relatively few individuals overall have the persistence to get any college degree.
Well, the same holds true for those who are interested in a career as a stand-up comedian. Most people crumble at the least resistance in any number of endeavors.
2. There seems to be a growing number of people who simply do not have the reading skills needed to even learn the basics required to develop a stand-up comedy act, much less have a chance at becoming a skilled comedian.
Many are unwilling to work towards improving their reading skills, just like they are unwilling to work towards developing the skills needed to become a successful professional entertainer.
We live in the age of perceived automatic entitlement and the free “handout” at the expense of those who are willing and able to work hard for their success. Check with your current government for details.
3. While any career in entertainment is a potentially profitable business that can be started on a real “shoestring” budget, most people don’t seem to have the financial resources to treat a stand-up comedy career as real business.
In other words, folks can seem to afford computers, Internet connections, video game consoles, cell phones, frequent meals out, beer, smokes and bigger TV’s but oddly enough, they can’t ever seem to afford:
- Headshots
- A video camera for performance review
- A dedicated website
- A business phone
- Stand-up comedy educational resources
- Promotional flyers or brochures
- Even a small marketing budget
- Coaching or consulting
When you produce a stand-up comedy act, you are producing an entertainment product for sale. Even new comedians MUST have a modest budget to invest in their comedy career in order to capitalize on their stand-up comedy.
4. There are many, many people who are really not very self aware and believe that they have great comedy talent when the fact is that they don’t.
If you don’t believe that, go to ANY stand-up comedy open mic night.
Or you can look to another entertainment art form which also requires talent which is singing. Just watch the tryouts for American Idol and people who think they can sing.
Or go watch ANY karaoke night, take out the “ringers” (the people who do have real singing talent) and pay attention to the rest of the people who think they can sing.
It’s hilarious — funnier than any stand-up comedy open mic for sure.
One can actually learn to sing or sing better with coaching.
But you can’t “learn” to be funny in front of a group of strangers if you don’t have real comedy talent to begin with.
You can’t “write” your way to “funny” on stage if you don’t have real comedy talent to start with — no matter what most comedy teachers will tell you to get you into a comedy class or workshop.
However, you CAN learn to structure and focus the sense of humor that you do have to generate big laughs on stage — again, provided you DO have real comedy talent to begin with.
5. Most people who DO have real comedy talent, drive and persistence are either unwilling or unable to develop their comedy skills for audiences outside the comedy club arena — the lowest paying and most competitive market to break into.
Subsequently, it takes several years for most comedy club comedians to develop even 10 minutes of stand-up comedy material — most of which is usually unacceptable for corporate or other higher paying work.
What does drive many people in the comedy business is the thrill of being able to use profanity and to talk about sex and genitals in public.
So, given the information I have provided above…
You should have a pretty good idea of what YOUR chances of becoming a successful comedian are and really understand why the world of stand-up comedy is wide open for those who truly have what it takes to become a comedian.
I never even considered what my “chances” were of becoming a comedian when I made the decision to jump into show business. I knew I was funny, I knew I could do it and I was willing to work my butt off to reach my dreams and goals.
What about you?
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.
If you want to take a truly professional approach to becoming a comedian…