Hiring a comedian for your conference can be a great way to entertain and engage your audience, but it can also be a costly and risky investment. How can you negotiate a better deal with a comedian for your conference without compromising on quality, professionalism, and relevance? Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your comedy booking.
Before you approach any comedian, you need to have a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend and what you want to achieve with your comedy act. Do you want to boost your attendance, increase your brand awareness, or just have some fun? How long do you want the comedian to perform and how much interaction do you want with the audience? Having a realistic and specific budget and goals will help you narrow down your options and negotiate more effectively.
Fame isn’t everything and you might be booking the stars of the future! You’ll be able to dine out on this for years to come! If it’s not just about booking a big name to help sell seats, take a risk and book a newer act. Think about the return on your investment and if you’re looking for entertainment there are many options. Please take advice from experts like me who know about the talent coming up through grassroots comedy. I see nearly 2000 new performers, writers and creators in the Funny Women Awards each year so am well placed to act as an agent. We don’t manage talent so our interactions are focused on your needs and, as a non-profit CIC, our booking fees go towards supporting the next cohort of new talent. Win, win!
Once you have your budget and goals, you need to do some research on the comedians that fit your criteria. Look at their online profiles, videos, reviews, and testimonials to get a sense of their style, experience, and reputation. You can also ask for referrals from other conference organizers or industry peers who have hired comedians before. You want to find a comedian who is suitable for your audience, theme, and tone, and who has a proven track record of delivering quality performances.
When you contact a comedian, you need to be flexible and creative in your negotiation. You can't just ask for a lower price and expect them to agree. You need to offer some value in return, such as exposure, referrals, testimonials, or future opportunities. You can also try to negotiate on other aspects of the deal, such as the length, format, or timing of the performance, the travel and accommodation expenses, or the marketing and promotion support. You can also look for ways to bundle or share the cost of the comedian with other sponsors, partners, or venues.
Negotiating with a comedian is not just about numbers and contracts. It's also about building rapport and trust with them. You want to show them that you respect their work, understand their needs, and appreciate their value. You can do this by being polite, professional, and transparent in your communication, by listening to their concerns and feedback, and by acknowledging their achievements and expertise. You can also use humor, compliments, and empathy to create a positive and friendly atmosphere.
Once you have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the comedian, you need to review and confirm the deal in writing. You need to make sure that all the details and expectations are clear and accurate, such as the date, time, location, duration, fee, payment terms, cancellation policy, and performance requirements. You also need to sign a contract that protects both parties from any potential disputes or issues. You need to keep in touch with the comedian until the day of the event and follow up with them after the event to thank them and solicit feedback.