Punchlines to Paychecks – Kickstart Your Comedy Career

Are you the one who cracks jokes at family gatherings, makes your friends laugh to tears, or just finds humour in the everyday life around you? Imagine turning that natural gift into a successful career. Sounds unbelievable? Well, we’re here to change your mind. Comedy in India is no longer a part-time job or hobby. The stand-up specials, viral Instagram reels, and binge-worthy comedy series have turned comedy into a thriving industry – one YOU can be a part of.

Think about Vir Das, who started off doing comedy on small stages in India till his talent took him to global heights with Netflix specials or Bhuvan Bam, who started by making short, funny videos on YouTube and became one of India’s most popular digital stars. Even Sumukhi Suresh transitioned from her corporate life into creating, writing, and starring in her hit comedy show Pushpavalli. All their paths are just as different as their comedy styles, but what they have in common is passion, creativity, and the art of making people laugh.

So, if the thought of taking your funny bone to the next level has crossed your mind, now is the time! Let’s break down all the different ways you can kick-start your career in comedy, right from stand-up and scriptwriting down to social media sketches and beyond.

Stand-Up Comedian

If you are unlike most people and and enjoy engaging with a live audience, then standup is the way to go. People think that standup is all about telling jokes, but that is not true; it relies mostly on storytelling. What matters is the story, timing, and getting into character.

Curious about where to start? Go attend an open mic in your city! From Vir Das to Zakir Khan, most started this way before they went on to a big stage. 

YouTuber

With growing technology and the internet maze, we are all aware of the power of YouTube. You can start your own YouTube channel, trying sketches, parody videos, reaction videos, or whatever seems most interesting. You could start small like Bhuvan Bam, whose YouTube channel BB Ki Vines brought him into the limelight. If doing all of this alone sounds too much with editing, then chill. Basic editing can be learned through free resources, like Adobe Premiere Pro where through free tutorials you can turn raw footage into polished comedy. Easy Peasy!

Social Media Influencer

If you like your content quick and short, then the wonders of Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts await. Create viral comedy sketches, memes, or even quirky observational humour in under a minute. Comedians like Dolly Singh and Mallika Dua climbed the fame ladder through the power of short-format content. Need help producing videos? Free apps like InShot are great for editing on your mobile to create your short content quickly and easily.

Writer/Scriptwriter

The backbone of every great comedy show or movie is a writer who writes down the dialogue, situations, and punchlines. If you enjoy writing, then maybe scriptwriting is your thing. A show like Panchayat or movies like Stree wouldn’t be half as funny as they are without strong scripts. If you’re eager to learn this craft, websites like MasterClass have hosted courses from experts like Varun Grover, who will let you in on his methods for writing sharp and funny scripts.

Podcast Host

Podcasting has also evolved as a great platform for comedy. Be it conducting interviews with fellow comedians, telling stories, discussing life, or whatever it may be, podcasting offers more flexibility and creativity in terms of content. You really can start very small, especially through platforms like YouTube.

Content Comedy Writer

Sometimes, humour is not performed; a lot of today’s brands seek out comic content for their blogs, advertisements, and social media. If through your writing you make people laugh, then go ahead, flex your creativity and make a career out of it.

What Should Be Your First Step?

Go to open mics: We know, not everybody wants to be a stand-up comedian but going to an open mic will give you a good idea of how comedians function. They are an amazing way to gain stage exposure, even if it is just being an observer for starters. There are so many of these clubs now like The Habitat in Mumbai or Canvas Laugh Club across different cities.

Create a YouTube Channel or an Instagram Page: If you are not into live performances yet, why not start online? Create a YouTube channel or an Instagram page and post your first funny video: a sketch, a monologue, or even a reaction video. The best part? With immediate feedback on digital platforms, you will have the chance to tweak your content till it works.

Comedy Writing Group: Writing communities are a great source of feedback. This is the place where you get to refine your skills. Join online forums or physical meetings of writing groups where people share and critique others’ work. A great place to start is Reddit’s r/ComedyWriting forum, where comedians share their tips and scripts.

Workshops: There are workshops conducted by experienced comedians in a lot of cities.  Whether it’s for stand-up, improv, or scriptwriting, comedy workshops are a brilliant way to learn from the pros. If you want to learn online, here are some online workshops conducted by platforms like Cuckoo Club or Big School of Comedy that will help you.

Quick Exercise

Want to dip your toes in comedy now? Let’s start with a fun little exercise to get those creative juices flowing. Think of some relatable situations that we all face in our everyday life like negotiating with your autowala or bargaining with your local vegetable vendor or dealing with a power cut. Now, write a joke or a small sketch about it. The more specific you make it, the better it is. Finally, share it with your friends, post it online, or try it at a local open mic!

It is amazing how comedy can come from little things in life that we barely even notice. Once you learn to find humour in the most boring situations, you’ll be surprised at how very ordinary situations can get you comedic gold.

Ready to Get Started? Let’s Laugh Together!

Loved everything about the blog but don’t know where to start? Relax, you don’t need to do it alone. Mentoria is here to help you out. At Mentoria, we will guide you in finding the right career path even if it is uncharted waters, like comedy. Not sure whether stand-up or scriptwriting befits you? Or perhaps you are unsure if digital content creation is what you want to do. 

Let Mentoria help you assess your strengths, passions, and potential to carve a niche that fits your unique talent. Our comedy career professionals are here to guide you through every step, guiding you to make your comedy dreams a decent-paying career.