Getting Paid to Be Funny: The Path from open mics to paid gigs

Practical guidance on booking, emails, CVs, diary management and admin to help stand-ups move from open mics to paid gigs.

Getting Paid to Be Funny: The Practical Path from Open Mics to Paid Gigs

Stand-up comedy is more than what happens on stage. This online workshop focuses on the practical, behind-the-scenes side of stand-up for comedians looking to move beyond open mics and start approaching comedy more professionally.

The session covers essential offstage skills such as booking gigs, managing your diary, putting together a clear stand-up CV, writing professional emails, finding time to write around work and life, and understanding basic expenses. The aim is to help comedians feel more organised, confident and informed as they begin moving into paid work.

This workshop isn’t about joke writing, shortcuts, or “industry secrets”. It’s about understanding how stand-up operates as a professional practice, and how small, practical changes offstage can support long-term progress.

Suitable for newer stand-ups and those a few years in who want to take their work seriously and build sustainable momentum.