Gary Menke

Should I quit my job now that I’m doing stand-up?

Here’s my advice for anyone wanting to do stand-up comedy: don’t quit your day job and declare yourself a comic. You are an idiot that quit a job that paid money to take a job that’s inconsistent. (Menke recommends finding a job that allows you to do stand-up freely.)

You know you’re a comic when…

You’re working three weeks out of four every month. Don’t declare yourself a comic before you can totally support yourself doing comedy. You have to have a lot of pans in the fire. Do whatever it takes to be in show business.

How much stage time do we need? How do we get it?

When I started out, I’d do 7 sets a night. I’d go up between bands…poetry…open mics…karaoke…that’s how you get strong. Stage time…some people need more, some people need less.

What are some good ways to promote yourself?

You gotta have all the stuff:

• Facebook, MySpace, YouTube
• Website
• A recording device (to tape every show and review the jokes)
• Video tape every other show (you could garner more laughs just by changing a facial expression)
• Everyone needs a poster (11X17 is recommended, as it’s the standard size of any comedy club photocopy machine).
• Print up tickets
• Establish relationships
• Get sponsorships (Businesses such as car and phone companies may lend you their products if you’re willing to represent their brands.)

How do clubs decide to book someone?

You judge draw vs. comedy vs. what that project desires—clean, dirty, whatever—are we going to make money? Is the person that’s paying me this money going to be satisfied?

I know everyone who’s funny. There’s no secret. There’s no underground guy who’s like killing America who’s sooo funny that no one knows about. There’s no such person. We know who’s funny. There are some young, upcoming guys. If they are up and coming they only have 7 minutes and they can’t do anything for you anyway.

Will people pass you on your way up?

[Yes.] It’s not fair, it’s not honest--It’s show business. As long as you don’t compare yourself to other people or think it’s a competition, you’ll always be in the game.

As a promoter and comic, what’s your best advice?

Be yourself. Be fun. Dress accordingly. Look better than 50% of the crowd. Shorts are a no-no. Have fun. Be confident. Take a risk or two. Be fearless. Audiences can smell fear a mile away. I’ve seen people with horrible material who are so confident they trick audiences into laughing at them.