Comedy clubs are no different than any other business from this perspective:
If you don’t keep up with the times, you get left behind. And despite recessionary times that usually result in a comedy club “boom”, that hasn’t happened.
That’s why I am kind of surprised that most comedy clubs haven’t tapped into corporate comedy as a major profit center to add to their bottom line.
Here’s why I can say that:
Business positioning. Comedy clubs are already exceptionally positioned as a resource for stand-up comedy entertainment – including corporate comedy.
Talent availability. Comedy clubs not only have access to experienced comedians who can deliver a clean act, but they also have the ability to develop “in house” comedians who could deliver a clean 45-60 minute stand-up comedy show, either individually or as a group.
Note: High level local corporate comedy talent could be developed literally within months given the proper guidance on how to develop a stand-up comedy act.
Gig availability. There are potentially hundreds of local corporate type gigs available each year that would very much enjoy an appropriate entertainment alternative to a band or a DJ.
Profitability. Most larger corporate type gigs have a budget for entertainment and can command $2000+ per show (depending on a number of factors including number of attendees, budget size, reputation of the performers, etc.).
No cost advertising platform. An active comedy club already has thousands of patrons from all walks of life that come through their doors every month. The comedy club need only announce during their shows that they have clean comedians available to make corporate functions and events memorable.
Note: Comedy clubs could also host a monthly Corporate Comedy Spotlight where Chamber of Commerce members (for example) are invited to check out the clean comedy talent for use in future events or functions.
Comedy clubs that could provide high level corporate comedy shows are also in the unique position to easily network with local convention centers, hotel function directors, event planners, etc. — again at no cost.
Rapid testing and implementation at no cost. As long as the comedy club has availability to clean comedians (or can develop that availability with local talent) that can meet the needs and expectations for corporate type events, by using announcements at the comedy club and networking as described above, the comedy club could be positioned to implement this sort of profit center in a matter of months – again, at no cost.
All I know is this:
Most comedy clubs don’t take advantage of utilizing or developing a corporate comedy talent as a profit center for their business – one that could not only be potentially highly profitable to the comedy club, but profitable to comedians as well.
Please pass this article along to any comedy club owner or manager you know. 🙂
Your’re right about my inexperience! 🙂 But it is possible to run a successful restaurant or show without booze. Here’s a story about a successful alcohol-free open mic – in IRELAND! — http://www.irishexaminer.com/weekend/having-the-last-laugh-169839.html
But I do have a question: Why do you think Comedy Clubs haven’t seen their normal recession boom? Do you think it’s a Hulu/Netflix thing? Cheap entertainment that doesn’t require leaving our houses to get is beating out live talent?
Comedy clubs will remain stagnant for 2 primary reasons – Stand-up comedy on TV (most household have more than one TV which results in individual viewership) and on YouTube (along with other online video sources).
For details about why this matters, check out: http://killerstandup.com/546/understanding-difference-live-funny-video-funny/
Let me rephrase that. I wish that the clubs focus would not be on selling alcohol. I don’t mind if they sell it, but if their focus was on making money a different way, I believe they could enlarge their customer base. Also, I am aware that some clubs don’t serve alcohol or have a different atmosphere – I only wish more comedy clubs do this.
You obviously have never owned a club or restaurant. Alcohol is THE profit center above all others.
If you want to work where alcohol is usually a much lesser issue (at least as performing goes), the corporate comedy market is hard to beat.
That’s a really neat idea. I have mixed feelings about Comedy clubs. In a way, I hope they continue, in order to give people a place to hone their stand up, but I do wish, like a prominent stand up comedian in Boston (I heard him on some CD’s made by Darren LaCroix, but I can’t remember his name) that the clubs would stop serving alcohol. You would think they should be able to make money a better way.