First I’d like to say thanks for all the feedback I received from the part one of this article. Every comic knows that feeling when something went wrong during a show. Was the audience a rowdy crowd? Did you perform a bad set? Did you deal have to deal with a heckler? Most comics will resort to talking at the back of the bar, or in the parking lot about these issues. That is a great tactic for letting off steam, but working with your bigger picture (goals, mentors, and feedback) provides a better solution.
Can you imagine how difficult it was to develop a career back in the day? Starting out in comedy is so much easier today. Think about the cost of long distance phone calls, expensive head shots and video tapes, and attempts at self promotion. Thanks to the internet and technology, getting your videos and bios can be produced at a fraction of the cost. But the overlooked value of the internet is connecting to potential mentors.
Let’s pretend you read a book or article about something that interest you. Have you thought about contacting the author? If you’re truly interested in their experiences, why not email them and ask for more information? Everyone is accessible in some way, shape and form, but you need to understand how access to them. I didn’t realize this until after I read every interview posted from my comedy bud Ben Rosenfeld. I’ve discovered people are will to speak with you under these conditions:
- You are sincere and passionate about your work.
- It will be a mutually benefitting conversation.
- You’re not a pain in the ass to deal with.
My Example:
Larry Wilde has written 53 comedy-based books. There are two books in particular that deeply inspired me:
Out of the blue, I send him an email asking for an interview and he accepted. During that hour, I learned and laughed a lot. He’s currently 84 years-old, and still very active as a comedian and motivational speaker. From the many stories he told me, my favorite was how he realized he wasn’t a great comedian, so he began interviewing the ones who were successful. It wasn’t long before word got out, and other comedians wanted to be included in the book. There were several lessons I learned from his stories, and I’ll be forever grateful for the time he shared with me.
The Warm Introduction:
Every social media format offers access to people. If you already have contacts to people in particular networks (in this case – I’m using comedy), ask an existing contact to introduce you. Understand their relationship with whom you’re trying to reach and set their expectations on why you want to talk to them. You’re actually cashing in on a favor of a friend, so spend this cash wisely.
The Cold Introduction:
Sometimes you may find it necessary to create a body of work before contacting people. If you decide to ask for career advice on where you’re headed, you’ll need to show where you’ve been.
Prior to writing for Stage Time magazine, I sent inquires to comedians for interviews to create content for my comedy writing group’s website. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing at the time. When I reached out to potential interviewees who I consider to be virtual mentors, I explained my background as an up and coming comic and why I wanted an interview. My success rate for achieving interviews hovers around 90 percent.
I’m not saying that any of this is easy. There were several people who declined my interview requests. That was okay, because maybe the timing wasn’t right, and perhaps I didn’t make my initial goals clear at the time. But that’s a part of being in show business. While we’re on that topic, here are my thoughts about it:
Show:
This is what occurs from the first time your pen hits the paper until the completion of your act. It might be a one person play, a sitcom draft, or your new one hour set. During this time, you may hit a few obstacles. Using the experience of a mentor can probably resolve your issues. Some of my mentors have also become my coaches. I’m able to obtain answers from people that I respect, who understand what I’m trying to achieve in comedy.
Business:
Everyone needs a coach at times in their life for inspiration. If you’re willing to unveil your weak points, finding a mentor will help you become a better performer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It may seem embarrassing in the beginning, but it’s a part of the learning process. The choice is up to you. If you’re looking for a mentor to help you in this business, you have to make yourself vulnerable and trust your instincts in the people you want advice from.
Just thinking out loud, of course!
Keep ‘Em Laughing!
© 2013 Wayne Manigo
