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Moving Up -- The Three Ways to Get In Front of Bookers

© Vince Martin

Also remember, most importantly, be persistent. Bookers and club owners are busy people, and new comics are not always their top priority. I was once complaining to a fellow comic about the booker of a well-known club in the Midwest. "I did a guest set there over a year ago, they invited me back, I email them every month, and I haven't heard a thing from him since." "Well," said the other comic. "I did the same thing - three years ago. I still haven't heard from him."

Caveats aside, there are generally three ways to get yourself in front of bookers. We'll take them in order:

Press Kits

In its standard form, a press kit includes a tape or DVD (with a set length equal to the amount of time you are expecting to do; i.e. 30 minutes for a feature spot); a headshot; a resume and short bio (should be one page max); references, if available; and any media coverage you have had (write-ups in the local paper, for example). Some clubs have their own requirements, and it is a good idea to ALWAYS call before sending a kit to make sure you meet said requirements. (For example, some clubs ask for multiple copies of your headshot and/or resume.) Make sure you get a QUALITY headshot. If you're good enough with digital cameras and PhotoShop, you can do it yourself, but I would recommend getting the headshots done professionally. When a booker opens your press kit, a poorly constructed headshot sends a signal that you may not be a true professional. Your bio and resume should include a SHORT summary of your comic style, with an emphasis on what makes you distinctive. For example:

A self-described "recovering Yankee," Martin began his career in New York City but now lives in North Carolina; his act maintains the sharp, edgy humor of New York comedians while bringing an upbeat, friendly presence to the stage...

Add on clubs played, and try and get quotes from previous bookers - even if they were just contest organizers or bar owners. If you've done corporate work or office parties, mention it - those are the types of gigs done by true comics, not just open-mikers.

95% of clubs and bookers will request a press kit in order to be booked. And therein lies the problem; your press kit is simply part of the avalanche that many bookers face. A club owner in the South once told me that he got more calls from comedians than he did for reservations. This same club has a pile - literally boxes full - of tapes and kits from comedians from around the country, lying unwatched. For many club owners, it is simple mathematics; the possibility that a new feature might be slightly better than a comic they already use regularly is simply not worth the amount of time required to sift through the mass of tapes. As such, you need to find a shortcut. There are quicker, more effective ways, I believe, to get through to bookers. We'll cover them next.