By Creig Ewing
You have some experience now as a comic and want to sign up for a new-to-you open mic or ask for a guest spot on a show. Maybe one out of town.
I schedule a weekly open mic at The Caravan Comedy Club in Louisville and other shows, and I continue to be amazed at how people ask for stage time.
One person’s email to sign up for the mic was just: “Sup?”
Other comics wanting an open mic spot may go on for pages describing how funny they are, includes links to three of their videos, all of their social media and a photo.
The first is a little bit lacking. The second is too much.
If you are a newer comic, DON’T DO THIS when asking for a spot on a booked open mic, a guest spot or other stage time.
Tell the booker how funny you are
We won’t believe you. We know that every new comic thinks they are funny. The more you go on about how hilarious you are and how you kill everywhere you go, the less we believe you.
If it’s an open mic, to be honest, we don’t require you to be funny. That’s why it’s “open.”
If you’re asking for a guest spot or showcase spot, include a video. Let us judge how funny you are.
Don’t include a video if you are asking for an open mic spot unless you are asked to send one.
Leave your name off the email
Don’t make the booker guess what your name is from your email address. I’m talking to you, 12inchesoffurry@hotmail.com! Put your name in the email. Start with it.
“Hi, This is John Doe. I’d like a spot on the next available open mic.”
Assume people know your stage name
If you use a stage name, that’s your comedy identity. Lean into it. If you go by Potato Salad, The Comedian, put that in your email.
If you’re serious, you should have an email account for your stage name and all your social media platforms.
Ideally, I shouldn’t even know your real name, Potato Salad, unless it’s time to pay you or get a restraining order against you.
Give little advance notice
If you are traveling out of town and are looking for a spot, let them know when you’ll be in town. The more advance notice you give, the better. Even some open mics are booked weeks in advance.
For some odd reason, bookers are not eager to make last-minute arrangements for someone they don’t know from out-of-town reaching out the day of the show.
Disregard the directions
If the website for the comedy club says to email ComedyClubOpenMic@aol.com to sign up for the show, that’s how you should sign up for the show. Even if you think email is for old people.
Maybe you know who books the show and want to reach out by text. We may like you but when comics ask to be on the show via text message, Instagram message, Facebook message and Discord, your request is more likely to get lost or forgotten.
Leave off info that may make the booker want you on the show
If you are asking about an open mic or guest spot, and the booker doesn’t know you, you may be out of luck.
But what do we want even more than funny comics? Audience members. So if you can bring people to the venue, let them know.
For example, if you can say, “I am in town for a family reunion and there are 20 family members that want to come see me perform,” you’ll get a spot on the show. But you better have 20 family members come see you.
Be funny in the email
Some comics think an email asking for stage time is an audition and try to pepper their message with jokes. Don’t do this.
This reeks of the annoying comic who is always “on.” Asking for stage time is business. You don’t need to throw in punchlines.
Fail to follow up
You did it. You sent an email with all the right information and the booker sent an email back telling you that you’re on the show. Congrats.
But you don’t really pay much attention to your email, so it’s been sitting there a month. The booker hadn’t heard back from you, and they filled the spot with someone else.
If you are serious about comedy and reaching out for shows, you need to keep on top of your emails and messages and follow up.
Lie about details
If you say that a headliner will vouch for you, make sure that the headliner knows and will vouch for you. If the booker checks and the headliner doesn’t vouch or is not aware, not only will you not get the spot, you will get written off for future consideration.
Likewise, if you say that you have 3 billion Instagram followers, that’s pretty easy to check.
Be unprepared
Hurray! The comedy club in Florida says you can have a guest spot, and has saved tables for your 20 family members.
They want you to send a head shot, video and bio.
Your head shot is a grainy picture of you on stage holding a microphone. Your video is from your first stand-up set, and you haven’t written anything about yourself since high school.
These are all basic things a comic needs if they are asking for stage time. Make a little effort or spend a couple bucks and get them done now so you have them when needed.
And we all like photos of ourselves on stage to prove we are real comics. But get a photo of yourself, in focus, brightly lit, not holding a microphone in front of a solid background, with a selection of different shapes. You’ll appear more professional.
Good luck!
