Promoting your videos on YouTube
Hey Dave – How can I promote my YouTube videos? – BT
Hey BT – The business of promoting comedians has changed from just a few years ago. Almost everything today is done online. There are still a few agents and bookers who request hard-copies of promotional packages, but in my opinion it just means they’re really out of touch with what’s going on. If they can’t get online and learn how to work with video and website links, what kind of gigs are they getting for their clients? I’m guessing Amish barn-raisers…
What used to be included in a hard-copy promotional package is what still needs to be included when you promote yourself online. If you want to know what’s required, pick up a copy of my book How To Be A Working Comic (there’s a link below for the updated edition). All the marketing tools that were once in hard copy promo packs are now posted online. A personal website is considered more professional and required by some bookers I’ve worked with if you even want to be considered for work. And it’s not all that pricy if you look into some of the blogging options like a website on WordPress.
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But don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a big time website dedicated strictly to your comedy or speaking career. Facebook will still work with smaller bookers and LinkedIn is growing into a great network / marketing tool. But go for a website as your main landing page when the money starts pouring in from smaller gigs.
Here’s some insider advice:
Great promotional material might get you noticed, but talent and experience are what gets you hired. Basically it’s still all about writing and performing. That part of the job never ends. But when you’re ready to take the next step in your career, you’ve got to let people know – and that’s when professional looking promo material and marketing techniques come into play.
Notice one of the words used above – professional. Here’s one of the most important lines from my book Comedy FAQs And Answers:
“They may call it amateur night – but no one is looking to hire an amateur.”
Sharing your videos with friends is easy on YouTube. Millions of people do it every day. Just send them a message saying watch my video, and include a link. But when it comes to promoting videos on YouTube to get professional bookings, you need to realize your video and entire website has become an important marketing material.
Go back the word I used earlier – professional. Now memorize it.
Once you have a professional looking video and a professional looking website, then you can start contacting bookers to look at it. This is done through networking, (meaning you know someone who can recommend you or put you in contact with the booker), researching, (going to the club’s website and finding the required way to submit promo material or request a showcase), and/or (and I hate this one, even though I’m good at it) cold-calling. With the cold call you basically want to get the correct information on the correct way to contact a booker and then follow it.
Now this is not gonna sound too friendly or supportive, but I have to say it…
To the writer of this question – and don’t get angry because no one else reading this knows who you are – I watched the YouTube link you sent. Here’s some really good advice. Do NOT promote it to comedy bookers. It comes off as being very amateur and could damage your chances of being seen later when you’ve actually gained enough on stage credits and experience to be taken seriously by bookers.
No booker has time, desire, energy or interest in watching really bad amateur videos. Take my advice on this one. Plus it could come back to haunt you.
I remember a very influential comedy booker when I ran the NYC Improv. I saw a comedian who was GREAT and went to this booker with a GREAT recommendation to hire the act. I was SHOCKED to be told this booker had seen the SAME comedian TEN years earlier when he was just starting his career. Based on that early impression, the booker said the comic was terrible and he had no interest in hiring or even showcasing him again.
Here’s my advice. Don’t worry about promoting yourself for work until you’re ready to be a working comic. Then make it look as if you already are a working comic with a head shot, resume with a decent amount of on stage credits, a short bio so they know something about you, and reliable contact email and/or phone number. You can have all that stuff on a website and in any design or format you want – as long as it’s easy for bookers to review.
BUT the most important part of a promotional package – online or hard copy – is your video. Don’t put out something that makes you look like an amateur just to have a video to submit. Think of the first impression you’re making on a booker and that he/she might remember it.
They may call it amateur night – but no one is looking to hire an amateur.
Professional. Memorize the word and use it when promoting yourself as a working comic.
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Dave Schwensen is the author of How To Be A Working Comic: An Insider’s Business Guide To A Career In Stand-Up Comedy, Comedy FAQs And Answers: How The Stand-Up Biz Really Works, and Comedy Workshop: Creating & Writing Comedy Material for Comedians & Humorous Speakers.
For details about upcoming comedy workshops at the Chicago Improv (beginning February 1, 2014 – visit this LINK) and Cleveland Improv Comedy Clubs, and private coaching by phone or via Skype visit www.TheComedyBook.com
NEW – How To Be A Working Corporate Comic an 8-week online coaching program. For information visit this LINK!
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