Image by Pierre Rosa from Pixabay 
Becoming any type of live performer can be quite the challenge. Before you get your big break and make big money, you’re going to have to struggle for a bit and pay your dues. Oftentimes this is where people end up quitting on their passion, mostly because they have no idea how to get their careers kickstarted. 

Kickstarting a comedy career may be even more difficult than other live entertainment options simply because there is often less demand for comedians. However, there are ways that you can set yourself up for success and put yourself in the best position possible. What do you need to do to get your comedy career off the ground? Here’s how to kick start your comedy career. 

Practice Your Routines 

When trying to be successful in any profession, it is extremely important that you hone your craft. Obviously one of the best ways to hone your comedy skills is to constantly rehearse and practice your routines. You should be rehearsing your jokes and sets by yourself quite frequently, at least a few times a week. If you want some feedback then you may want to try some of your jokes and routines out on friends just to see what their reaction is. If you want to be successful in anything, you’re going to have to put the work and practice in. 

Find Inspiration 

One thing that great comedians always seem to be able to do is find inspiration extremely easily. The best comedians are able to take everyday scenarios and turn them into extremely funny jokes and sets. These successful comedians are extremely creative and have a natural ability to find comedy in everything, but they are also extremely aware and constantly looking for inspiration. If you want to produce a large number of high-quality jokes then you’re going to have to emulate this skill. You should be constantly on the lookout for material and should be looking for inspiration from all walks of life. As you continue to look for inspiration, it will come easier to you and you’ll be more successful over time, allowing you to churn out new jokes and sets much faster. 

Network 

Obviously, comedic skill, creativity, and practice are important parts of being a successful comedian, however, they aren’t the only parts. You could be the funniest comedian in the world, but if you don’t know the right people you’ll never get in front of big crowds. You should always try to befriend and work with other comedians, as they can connect you with the right people. The ability to network is extremely important, as knowing the right people could give you the big break that you’re looking for. In addition, other comedians can be a great help in improving your skills. You can watch their sets and pick their brain, allowing you to see what works for them and what doesn’t. You can then incorporate the successful parts into your own jokes and routines. Finally, other comedians can be great test audiences. The more comedians you network with, the more people you can run jokes and ideas by. These people can provide you with some extremely valuable feedback and can be a great help in kickstarting your comedy career. 

Work With Venues 

While practicing your routines in front of friends and other comedians may be beneficial, it's nothing like the real deal. That’s why it is extremely important to work with venues and perform as many live sets as possible. You may be extremely funny in intimate settings, but these scenarios don’t prepare you to deal with large crowds. When performing in front of large crowds you have to worry about things like audience reactions, hecklers, and stage fright, and the best way to deal with these problems is experience. That’s why it is extremely important to find venues that are trying to book a comedian and work with them to land gigs.