Choosing the right entertainer for your corporate event can be difficult. Choosing the right comedian for your corporate event can be nearly impossible.
Our advice? Go for a band instead. Live music has a way of connecting with a crowd that makes it a much safer bet than live comedy.
However, a great, truly funny comedian can make an event really special. If you’re willing to take the risk and give a comedian a shot, here are 5 tips to get you started.
Get a Preview of The Show
Hiring a comedian without seeing his or her act is like getting dressed in the dark; you may be pleasantly surprised with the results, but why take the risk? Never hire a comedian (or a band, for that matter) without first attending a live performance.
If possible, sit in on a corporate event performance. Performing at a corporate event is very different than performing in a bar or nightclub. Not only will the material be different, but also will the reactions of the audience. An act that works in front of a crowd that’s paying for comedy at a club may be a disaster in front of a corporate crowd that would rather be heading home early.
Be Prepared to Pay
With most entertainers, but especially comedians, you get what you pay for. When the performer gives you a quote for the event, never try to haggle. By haggling you will “insult their art” and even if you do choose to hire him or him, you will get a subpar performance.
You will also be expected to provide the necessary equipment (a microphone with a stand works much better than a podium) and feed your performer. Even if his act is little more than 15 minutes of jokes about office space, a meal and a drink is required.
Give Him Time to Perform
Unlike live music, comedians require the audience’s full attention in order to be effective. Before hiring a comedian, be sure that you will be able to block off time during your event where he will be the star of the show without any other distractions.
The difference between trying to get a laugh with the audience’s full attention, and trying to get a laugh while dinner is being served can be devastating.
Consider Your Audience
What’s funny to one audience can be extremely boring or even offensive to another. Is the guest list all around the same age? Do you have clients coming in from other countries? Is your CEO the type of guy who will laugh when being made fun of in front of the crowd?
Of course, the number one rule is to gauge the amount of “crudeness” that is agreeable to your guests. At most corporate events the answer to the crudeness question is “none”. The last thing you want is to have some kind of harassment lawsuit on your hands because of a joke your comedian made.
Remember, Laughter is Not Guaranteed
Despite all the best planning, one thing that you can never guarantee with a comedy act is that your guests will actually think he or she is funny. Even the best comedians, and the best crowds, have off nights. There is really no way to prepare for this, and a truly off night can be painful for all involved.
While laughter is not guaranteed, payment is. Even if the comedian stinks up the place, you still must pay him, and try to act happy about it. Most comedians take their pay in advance for this very reason, but if yours doesn’t, try to smile as you hand over the check. A failure to pay based on a bad performance will reflect more poorly on your business than your taste in entertainment ever could.
Would you like more details about hosting a Corporate Event in New York at 583 Park Avenue? CONTACT US today to find out what makes 583 Park Avenue the best Corporate Event Space on the upper east side. One of our event coordinators will be in touch with you shortly.