Today is Not Forever

How do you judge a comic's career? How do measure success or failure? What's the best rubric to see if a career will last 30 years or only 3? And how should we evaluate our current situation in the comedy game? Mistakenly, most see their current situation as the defining measurement of where they are in comedy. Ever notice most comics only post their "wins" on social media but never their "losses?" Tonight's "sold out" show is great, but if we're honest, it's great because of last night's no audience bar show. And then you have to deal with people perceiving other's success or failures incorrectly. That's why it's crucial to never see your current situation as a permanent one - both the good and the bad.   

The Image of Success Fallacy 
Whenever my friends go, "they're killing it!" or "they're making millions a month!" I ask, "did you look at their bank account?" The answer is no. But the "successful" comic has stuff they wish they had, so they create a story in their head about their wealth and opportunities. Yet, if people in the entertainment industry were truly happy and wealthy, the suicide rate wouldn't be national news every other day. You don't hear about a lot of beloved teachers taking their own lives, and they make on average $60,000 a year. 

Too often we look at a comic's current schedule as the way it's always been and always will be. There are people opening for Headliner A who look like they're really popping, but maybe they're only making $50 a show and the headliner is making $10,000 a weekend. Many comics confuse the success of others as their own, posting "SOLD OUT" shows and they weren't really behind the ticket sales surge. It's not that the show didn't sell out, but what are they trying to prove? In fact, a lot of comics hurt their own career by posting a false narrative that they were responsible for what went on that night. 

If you're showing off a "sold out" show that you were marketing and producing or headlining - great. If you just showed up for the guest spot, getting paid nothing, etc. then maybe stick with candid photos from the stage. If you got into a big festival - great - you're qualified to take credit because of the context. But when I see comics bragging about something someone else is responsible for, it would be like going to a birthday dinner for a friend with 20 people you've never met before and taking a group selfie with the caption "Look how many friends I have! #Blessed" 

It's not that it's "wrong" but it creates a false narrative. Not all facts are truthful. It can also create an expectation when people want to see you or book you, and the next show is an MIA audience. Now people are wondering where all those "fans" were. 

I once did a corporate show with 1,000 people and I made sure to clarify I was hired for a corporate event and not a draw in middle America. The story I'm selling is that the event coordinators trust me. Because that's something I can be proud of. 

Create a Story That Is Truthful More Than Factual
Language is important. Saying, "I'm a regular opener for Headliner A" has a lot of implications, but if you've just opened for a guy once and say "I got to open last month for Headliner A" you are being more truthful. The "fake it to you make it" philosophy is what leads to a lot of comics getting upset and depressed because they think selling a better narrative and getting the love is all that matters instead of focusing on just building the career they want to have. 

If you got to perform at The Ice House because it's a "bringer," sure your friends don't know you used them for 6 minutes of glory. But if you wait and grind so you can be asked by the club or an impressed producer or headliner, that moment will feel better in the long run. This is why I tell comics to stay away from bringers. Because you get the snapshot of success instead of the portrait of it. Anyone can can get a picture on a fancy stage, but a portrait proves you consistently sat in place for the end product.  

Keep in mind that as you post about the current state of your comedy career, you know what's really going on. So I would encourage you to post about the good, the great, the bad, and the ugly. Have fun with both the wins and losses. An image of success feels good in the moment, but feeling of success feels better in the long haul.        

Do Not Be Ashamed of Small Beginnings...Middles or Ends
If I could redo my comedy career, I would probably have done more open mics even though I was getting paid work early on. I was thrusted into a circle that provided me with a lot of great experiences, but it also set me up to be put in front of producers and traveling comics too early. So instead of building a career through traditional steps, I was added as a feature early on and those bookers still see me as a feature. Had I waited a bit, I could have gotten a better gig with the same booker, because they would have known me as a more established comic. Instead, I was put in front of comics and producers early and their image of me is a funny guy who needs more polish. 

As you ebb and flow through comedy career waters, don't be ashamed of doing smaller shows in the beginning and doing similar shows as a feature or headliner as you progress. Practicing your 20-40 minutes in front of smaller crowds will help you build confidence and tools to get ready for the bigger stages later. Even the top headliners still take on smaller gigs to work out jokes. Kevin Hart and Don McMillan both have huge, different followings, but both will go to small venues to work on new hours and specials. 

Final Thoughts
No matter where you are in your journey, don't feel the your current situation is the highest or lowest point. So many things can change, and you can meet new comics, producers, bookers, etc. Today's victory might be considered a loss down the road - and vice versa. You career will have many phases. One day you're opening for a huge name and the next you're featuring in a bar casino in the middle of nowhere. I know a lot of comics who live off the ups and downs of their TikTok views. None of that defines a person or your career.

Consistency, perseverance, and longevity are what makes a fully realized career. And through the years you'll have busier seasons than other ones. And that's the process. So if you have to work more side hustles to make up lost shows, maintain a lower rent to keep things affordable, or rearrange gigs to create more practical traveling plans, it's okay. Your current situation, whether great or a disaster, is temporary. 

When King Solomon asked his advisors to make him a gift that would keep him humble in times of prosperity and hopeful in times of despair, they made him a ring with the inscription: "This too shall pass." 

​Ain't that the truth.