An Alternative (or Additive) To Writing Out A List Of Your Comedy Achievements At The End Of The Year
This may be fun for competitive-spirited folk
Around now, I start to see people compiling lists of achievements and things they’ve accomplished through out the year. Sometimes I read them. Some I read and feel a little jealous of. But others seem to offer information about my own successes and achievements.
While it doesn’t really mean anything at the end of the day—after all, we’re all going to die, whether we got to make a Netflix special or not—comparison is a useful tool for self-evaluation and personal growth. And that’s what happens when those lists go out, make no mistake. People don’t (only?) read them and say, “Wow, good for them.” They (also?) say, “What about me? Did I do this much? Can I do more/better?”
Yes—other people’s achievement lists may become, essentially, competitive analysis inspiration for competitive-spirited folk.
Competitive analysis is an important business tool that all comedians, who are essentially small business owners, can get a lot out of.
Now, I’m not saying, read so and so’s breakdown and try to figure out ways to crush them, although I can understand the logic of feeling that way. But in competitive analysis, a business owner looks at local businesses that are similar to theirs and analyzes how they are doing what they’re doing—what they are charging, where they are doing it, what their services are, how they are doing things differently or with innovation. It’s really easy to do, especially if the people who are sharing their achievements publicly across social media are people who you might consider to be your “competition.” Here’s how:
Write down your own list of services that you as a comedian offer. Maybe you can do feature sets, can emcee an open mic, have a car and can do road gigs and drive other comedians; maybe you’re good at producing shows. Whatever it is, write it down.
Write down 3-5 people out there who you perceive to be at your level or a bit above your level in comedy. You can do this by reading their lists of achievements that they’ve shared online, checking out their websites, Googling them, attending their shows, or watching their videos on YouTube, or wherever. AI can also be helpful in offering some like-comedian suggestions. (Bard told me comedians “like me” are Margaret Cho, Sarah Silverman and Maria Bamford.)
Compare what you do and what the comedians “like you” do, and see if there are ways that you can boost your own offerings, skills and expertise. See what they do that you admire, find ways to put your own spin or angle on it, do it differently or better (innovate) and make it your own.
That’s pretty much it. No need to post it on social media, but it’d be kind of funny if you did.
Today’s comedy inspo:
I love this photo - it is a moment every comedian dreams about
I made this funny little video while my baby ate pretzels in the car beside where I was filming and then edited it while she was napping; it’s about the loneliness of being a mom
Have you ever seen this comedian? He’s a friend of mine, and I love him. He’s I think 70 now. He retired from comedy 20 years ago, but used to tour with Jackie Mason.