By James Roque

This year marks my 15^th year as a stand-up comedian. It’s been an extremely fun and fulfilling journey and I’ve been fortunate enough to tell my silly jokes all over the world.

 I’ve gotten to meet all sorts of people from different backgrounds and work with some incredible talented and hard-working fellow comedians. I’ve experienced the many ups and downs of the comedy industry and have learned a lot.

Despite this, for some reason every time a newer comedian asks me ‘hey do you have any tips for me, I’m just starting out’ I always draw a blank and just say something dumb like ‘wear comfy shoes’ or something. (But for real though wear comfy shoes).

So, since I’m in a reflective mood, here’s a definitive list of some little nuggets of wisdom I’ve picked up along the way.

Run your own race

Envy and jealousy are gonna be some of your biggest challenges in your career. Why did this person get this opportunity and not me? Why am I not in that clique? How come they’re selling more tickets than I am? 

Having a set of values will help guide you in your career. Focus on your lane and build your own path, who cares what everyone else is doing! (Okay, we’re one point into this article and it’s already giving life coach).

The importance of joy

A life in comedy can be really tough. I cannot stress enough the importance of looking for joy in the jokes you write and the shows you do. It’s what’s gonna keep you going when things get hard.

Being a comedian is also being a business

It sounds obvious, but as a comedian, you are also essentially a business. It’s literally called show business. If you want to go the distance in the industry you have to learn how this side of the game works. Learn how shows are marketed, how to run ads, how to draw up a budget, what a producer does etc. This is what separates a good comedian who you only see at gigs here and there from a great, professional comedian who is consistently busy and working.

Don’t be afraid to ask for opportunities

If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me ‘how did you get that gig?’ and I replied with ‘I sent an email asking if I could do it’, I would have...maybe 24 dollars? That’s irrelevant.

 But the point is – don’t be afraid to knock on doors to get some opportunities cooking. Don’t just sit there twiddling your thumbs letting the envy monster take over, send that email. (You have to balance it out though, you don’t want to become too pushy, but sending one or two emails never hurt nobody!)

For the love of god move the mic stand after taking the mic out

PLEASE. Every time a comedian does comedy standing behind an empty mic stand, a puppy dies somewhere in the world.

Being a nice person to deal with goes a long way

Always remember, everyone would much rather book a comic who is lovely to deal with and hang out with in the green room than someone who is not very nice to be around. 

You don’t need to wear a suit

When I was a new comic, a much more veteran comedian once sat me and my friends down in the green room of a TV taping, shut the door and very earnestly told us that: ‘If you want to be booked to do comedy, you have to wear a suit.’

He went on to say that he knew all the TV producers and that they only book comedians who wear suits. This is maybe one of the worst pieces of unsolicited advice I’ve ever received in my life. You do not have to wear a suit. Wear something that represents who you are onstage and makes you feel like the best version of yourself. If that’s a suit, then great. Otherwise, just do you, baby! 

(Also, I’m aware of the irony of someone talking about unsolicited advice while writing an article called ’15 Lessons I learned from 15 years in comedy’).

There’s no ‘right way’ to do comedy

Stand-up comics can be really uppity about comedy. A lot of comedians will look down on other comedians who use props, video, sound, clowning, do improv etc because to them ‘it’s not real comedy if it’s not pure stand-up’.

I personally feel bad for those people who do. Because by only watching one kind of comedy, you’re shutting yourself off from so much funny stuff. Some of my favourite comedians are the ones who make the complete opposite of what I make. There’s more than one way to do comedy AND THAT’S OKAY.

Just be cringe, who gives a shit, we’re all gonna die one day

One of your biggest things you’re gonna have to overcome in a career in comedy is your own voice in your head going ‘what if other people think what I’m saying is cringe, or bad, or hack?’

Make what you want to make. As long as it’s authentically funny to you and connects with yourself, as well as the audience – you’re gonna be fine. 

Cringe and hack are all relative. What’s cringe to me, could be dope for someone else and vice versa. The thing you make today might not age well either and you could look back and cringe at it - but guess what? That’s totally fine. I haven’t even finished writing this article and I’m already cringing at myself for writing it! But we soldier on.

You need good people around you

Having a strong support system, whether it’s friends, family, partners, trained professionals is super important if you’re going to hit the long road of comedy. 

Do you know how many times my partner has had to console me because I had a full breakdown in the kitchen while making breakfast due to the pressure of this career? Heaps of times.

Taking breaks from comedy is good for you

Sometimes you have to just live your life to be the best comedian you can be. It lets your comedic senses relax and gives you more experiences you can use to inspire more material. It’s okay to switch off sometimes. In fact – it’s healthy. (And as a bonus, you won’t be that insufferable comedian who’s ALWAYS ON).

Afternoon naps f***ing rule (Okay, I’m running out of steam here)

Comedians have weird work hours. If you’re lucky enough to do comedy full-time, you’ll be writing during the day and doing gigs until late most nights.

I have learned to love naps. I have a nap every afternoon a couple of hours before a gig and it’s an absolute game-changer. I am well and truly entering my ‘older veteran’ comic era and loving it.

Don’t eat too much before shows

On the subject of pre-show rituals. Scoffing down a giant combo from Five Guys is a terrible idea before going onstage and doing an hour of comedy. Shoutouts Five Guys in Brighton for teaching me this lesson in 2022!

Comedy isn’t just about writing jokes

Jokes are important, sure. But it’s not all comedy is. Learning how to do comedy is about self-reflection and understanding how the world works and where you fit in, in relation to it. 

It’s about learning how to relate with others and understanding their humanity. It’s also about being able to accept your flaws as a person and that you can be a hypocrite and a walking contradiction. It’s an exercise in personal growth. It’s also conceding that farts are just fucking funny. 

I still don’t know anything, really

Despite being in the game for 15 years, I’m still learning! Once in a while something will happen to me at a gig that will remind me of this fact, and I love it when it happens because it’s a sobering reminder that I still don’t know shit really. 

In fact, why are you even still reading this?! Go ask someone else for advice who’s more qualified! 

But first come to my show at the Edinburgh Fringe   Champorado. It’s my eighth hour and you can come watch me learn how to do stand-up all over again live on stage  at the Underbelly Bristol Square at 5.45pm every night.

Published: 19 Aug 2024