Not all businesses are the same.
Your corporate event could involve a bunch of blue-collar, get-your-hands-dirty workers. Or maybe you have a crew of tie-wearing, white-collar accountants. Maybe your staff is mainly female, maybe it’s majority male. You know your group, so it’s time to cater to them.
There’s a lot to think about here, but one standard rings true: diverse audiences call for a versatile corporate comedian.
When you’re booking a comic for your corporate show, look at their previous clients. What do you see? Do they have a theme to them, or is there variety?
When you’re trying to book a comedian, their résumé is important. What you’d like to see is a mix of comedy clubs, bars, and corporate events. A comedian that plays to only one audience might not be able to change things up for your particular crowd.
As important as that is, it’s actually more important to know your client.
The most important information I get as a comedian is knowing exactly what the client wants. Sometimes that’s a squeaky-clean, PG show with no swearing at all.
Other times I get told, “All bets are off. These are adults, and they’re here to laugh.”
Either show delivered to the wrong audience is going to give you a disaster. Your rough-and-tumble auto mechanics aren’t going to want something that’s squeaky clean. Likewise, a business with a religious background doesn’t want to hear four-letter words.
Getting specific instructions from the business to the comedian is essential, and a good comedian will ask for instructions. No comedian should have a one-size-fits-all act, because different people have different tastes. As a rule, most comedians will shy away from politics. But is that something you want? Ask for it. What are the differences between sexual innuendo and graphic sex talk? What about topical issues?
Finally for this segment: attire.
Your comedian should know how to dress for your show. Sometimes they should probably wear a suit; at other times, jeans and a button down shirt are fine.
It all depends on the audience, and what they’ll look like and be wearing.
Your comedian should ask you what you’re looking for every step of the way: time of show, length of show, type of content, and dress.
The more information you share, the better your show will be.