The comedy scene here in Barcelona is still riding the crest of the post-pandemic wave, with no immediate signs of levelling off. There are more opportunities to perform than ever before; new open mics and shows are popping up all the time, and soon, hopefully, any comedian who wants to perform multiple times a week (or even night) will have the chance to do so.
But how can you make sure you get booked regularly? This guide is for anyone who is frustrated about not getting as many spots on mics and shows as they would like, and anyone who wants a producer’s perspective on booking acts.
Look, none of us is perfect, and over the years I’ve made a number of the mistakes I’ll address here. But experience and, more importantly, producing shows have given me a better angle on this topic. A little self-awareness goes a long way, so if you feel that you’re not getting booked enough, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
Most of this stuff applies to comedians at any level, but especially newer comedians. Obviously, if you’re a solid headline,r you can get away with a lot more… However, I think most bookers/producers will still notice and mentally log how comedians handle this kind of thing, and be more willing to book you regularly if you are a model comedian offstage as well as on!
Here, in no particular order, are some of the questions I personally recommend asking yourself before blaming bookers, the universe, the gods, etc.
- Am I polite and respectful to producers and my fellow comedians?
Let’s start with a fairly obvious one. If you are shitty to people, don’t expect to get booked.
- Do I follow the instructions for applying?
If a producer says “DM the show’s Instagram”, “React to this message”, “Complete this form”, etc., don’t send them a WhatsApp, slip a note under their door, or send a carrier pigeon. It just doesn’t inspire confidence when people can’t follow a simple instruction.
Similarly, if you are asked for a video or a link to a video, do supply it. Don’t expect producers to know your set or trawl through your Instagram.
- Have I ever been to the show I’m applying for?
So, this one is not a deal-breaker, obviously, especially with newer shows. But if you are new to the comedy scene, go to all the mics and shows! Give them your support. Make your face known. Introduce yourself to the show-runner and tell them you’d love to do a spot one day. When you apply, they can put a face to the name and will remember how friendly and enthusiastic you were when you came to their show.
As a side note, watching as much comedy as possible, of all kinds and at all levels, is always useful. Plus, knowing what to expect from a particular room can help you prepare for it if you do get booked.
- Do I regularly perform at walk-in mics?
In an ideal world, there would be endless open mics where you could just rock up. Wherever you are based, do make use of whatever walk-in mics are available to you. It shows producers that you’re motivated and that you’re working on your material/trying new stuff regularly.
Also, in Barcelona, if you do especially well at one of our two fabulous weekly walk-in mics, the folks who run them will tell the rest of us show-runners. YES, WE COMMUNICATE! Often, this will be a shoutout to a new comedian whom we haven’t seen before, but sometimes it will be one for a comedian who is showing great progress.
- Am I responsive?
Moving on to a couple of dos and don’ts for once you’ve been booked.
Firstly, quick responses to messages are super helpful to producers. Try to keep an eye on group chats for the show, emails from Confirmed, etc.
Secondly, make sure you provide anything the show-runner has requested, as quickly as possible. Bear in mind that in many cases, there is one person doing everything, and they have a long list of things to do in a certain order. If I can’t do a lineup post at the time I want to do it because one person hasn’t sent me the photo I asked for two days ago, it throws everything off. Obviously, life happens, and it’s not the end of the world! But timeliness is always greatly appreciated.
- Do I help promote the show?
This is one thing that I find absolutely baffling, because surely we all want a good audience to perform to?! If you are booked on a show, and you’re tagged in an Instagram story, please, for the love of god, share it! Bonus points if you add the ticket/reservation link. If you’re tagged in a post, like it, and comment on it. It all helps boost visibility. Here are some ideas: “Can’t wait for this show!” “What a lineup!” “Honoured to be booked on this show by the hottest blonde middle-aged producer in Barcelona!” But feel free to use your own words.
By the way, I personally tag my lineup in a LOT of things, and I don’t expect everyone to share all of them. But if you don’t share a single thing, trust me, I will notice and remember, and very possibly cross you off my Christmas list.
- Am I reliable?
So, as I said before, life happens. I myself am not the most reliable booking, because I have precarious mental health (HELLO I’M A COMEDIAN) and have reached an age where my body is also woefully unreliable. If you message me on the day of a show and say, “I’m feeling anxious/depressed/sick,” I will send you a virtual forehead kiss and tell you to rest up, and I’ll get you on another show soon. However, if you message 5 minutes before a show and say you can’t make it because you’re still at the beach, you’re dead to me. (Kidding. But am I..?) And if you no-show, you’re going to need a once-in-a-lifetime event as an excuse, my friend.
Oh, and try to get there on time* and don’t run the light*.
*DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO! I plead the ADHD-th amendment…
- Am I any good?!
OK. Obviously, we all have to start from zero experience, and can only get better by going up. Nobody expects you to have a solid 10 from Day 1! What producers notice is progress. If they can see you’re going up regularly (see no. 4) and working on your material, being aware of what works and improving what doesn’t, they’re much more likely to book you.
Another thing to mention is that it’s important to be aware of your own capabilities and the spots you’re actually likely to get booked for. Personally, I do apply for spots longer than my number of rock-solid minutes because I want to push myself, but I don’t get offended when I don’t get booked for those spots. It’s good motivation to keep working on getting more of my stuff up to A-material standard. I also don’t apply for headline spots that I know I’m not ready for. Honestly, when a booker asks for comedians with a solid 10, 15 or whatever, and people without even a tight 5 apply, it just makes them seem like they have no self-awareness or understanding of how things work. Aiming high is great, but knowing your (current) limits is important, too. Onwards and upwards!
So that’s my little guide to getting more spots. There are a few other questions you can feel free to ask yourself if you do all of the above and are still not getting the spots you want (Am I an edgelord? Am I massively racist, homophobic, or transphobic? Do I harass women?…) I leave it with you.
Let me finish by saying a massive thank-you to all the comedians who come to shows when they’re not performing, stay and watch the whole show when they are, thank producers for having them, help out at shows whether they’re on or not, share events they’re not even a part of, and generally go the extra mile to support their fellow comedians. You are seen and appreciated more than you know.
