When you get a guest spot on a real show, it’s important to understand what your goal with that spot should be and avoid these 4 things that will only get in the way of accomplishing that goal. And probably prevent you from getting future guest spots.
There are generally 2 goals for a guest spot. For most comics the goal is to impress the booker enough to go from a guest spot to a booked spot. Occasionally, you just need to run material for an upcoming major engagement like a taping or showcasing for a festival.
Let’s focus on maximizing that spot for potential future bookings. You have to remember you are a GUEST. And like every other situation in life, you can either be a good guest or a bad guest. A good guest is readily invited back, a bad guest gets remembered as someone you don’t really want around. Being a good guest is pretty easy, do your best set, don’t run the light, don’t get wasted at the bar, be polite to staff and grateful to management. Remember, gratitude is latitude. Acting like they would be lucky to have you is a losing bet. And look, I made all those mistakes, I speak from experience. It cost me years.
But there are 4 things that comics often do in an attempt to over-maximize the spot that will ruin it just as fast as being rude and drunk:
- Don’t Do New Material
Why would you ask for a guest spot just to do untested new material? When you ask for a guest spot the last thing you want is for the person that got it for you to regret asking because you got up there and didn’t do well. You are basically guaranteeing that either that comic or booker will NEVER give you a guest spot again. You are playing with THEIR reputation. Make them look great by doing great. When you get a guest spot you need to do you’re “A” material. You want to prove that it was the right move to add you to the show. It’s a little different if you are running a showcase set, which might be new-ish material, but should still be “A” material if it’s for a showcase opportunity.
- Don’t Sell Merch
You might be broke. That may even be why you asked for the guest spot to begin with. But it’s not your show. You probably only did 5-7 minutes anyway. Sure you did the merch joke, probably one of your best routines, but this is the surest way to turn off the headliner, the management and the other comics actually booked on the show. If you get a booked spot out of it, THEN you can sell your merch with the headliners blessing.
- Don’t Hand Out Promo
Much like the merch thing, you’re a guest on the show. Handing out your stickers, postcards, what-have-you, is basically saying “I’m the one you should remember”. And maybe they will. But if that’s the case then you will earn a booked spot and then you can hand out all the promo you like. Again, a big turn-off for those that might actually be able to get you booked.
- DO NOT ASK THE AUDIENCE TO PULL OUT THEIR PHONES AND FOLLOW YOU
This one is the most egregious because it’s the most noticeable. You just brought the show to a halt and got the audience looking at their phones instead watching the show. Every part of this is bad. And everyone sees it. The other comics, the booker, the staff, everyone. And they’re all thinking, “what the hell are they doing??” You’ve got 5 minutes and you’re spending 2 of them trying to get 15 new followers? That just cost you multiple future spots that could have equaled hundreds of new followers. Honestly, this is a foul even on booked spots. Just don’t do it if you aren’t the headliner. And by then you probably won’t need to.
Remember Golden Rule #2: Respect the Craft. Respecting the Guest Spot is a big part of that.
One last thing, if you did have a great set, then approach the booker and thank them for the spot. This will give them an opportunity to invite you back or join the avails list or however they handle their booking. If they don’t, don’t be pushy about it, just be grateful and wait and see if the opportunity comes up later.
I know, we all want to move the ball on every play, but sometimes a little patience can go a lot further than trying to force the situation.
Keep Crushing,
Greg