An entertainer is the highlight of any event, from corporate parties to weddings. However, every performer is different. For singers and DJ’s, they may provide their own equipment: microphones, speakers, orchestration, then set it up and break it down themselves. Comedians usually only need a microphone, a stool, and a stage (obviously). It goes without saying then that hiring performers can be different depending on the entertainment needed, especially for comedians. While they don’t need much to perform their act, providing this kind of entertainment requires certain steps. These five suggestions are important to remember.
- Pay the comic
- This goes without saying, but the amount of payment can vary drastically. A comic with no real history or credits can be paid between $1-$5 per person that attends. If the comic is relatively popular, then payment can range from $40-$100 per person. As the saying always goes, you get what you pay for.
- Alert the people attending
- Stand-up comedy is generally not meant for young children, at least it shouldn’t be. Anytime you watch a comedian you immediately hear all kinds of swearing, racial slurs, and many more topics that are considered to be adult. Even if only adults attend, there may be some that don’t find that type of comedy entertaining. Make sure to inform your guests about the comedian performing and give a general overview, if you can, on the material that will be said on stage.
- Do your research
- This cannot be stressed enough. Find any information you can on the comedian you plan to hire. If a performer is serious about their job and takes pride in their talents then they should, at the very least, have a YouTube page of their previous performances. Watch several of them, or all if you can. See what their material typically consists up so you know what may or may not be appropriate for the event. See if they have a website with a resume. Do whatever research you can so you know what you’re getting.
- Set a time frame for the comedian
- If your guests have been there for several hours, then they may not be interested in watching a comedian for an hour. They’ve been working all week, drinking most likely, and there may have already been some other award/chat function that took place. 40 minutes is usually the benchmark for a comedian. This all depends on the event of course, but always keep in mind of the time frame you have.
- PAY THE COMIC
- They just performed a whole set for a group of drunk business men and women or some other level of a drunk person. Everyone’s tired, including the performer. They want to leave at some point to and rest. Have the check or cash ready ahead of time for the convenience of you and the comedian. Don’t make them wait around or go looking for you.