Hey Dave – I took your workshop about a year ago. During the business session you mentioned not putting your home address on promotional material. Another comic told me the opposite — that if I’m serious about this business, I should put my address on my website, promo materials, and anything else I send out so bookers can find me easily. What do you think? — E.H.
I can see you!
Hey E.H. — I think you might want to hang out with different comics.
Yes, it’s smart business to make it easy for talent bookers to contact you. But there’s a big difference between being accessible and being too personal.
When you’re promoting your business — which in this case is you — you absolutely want buyers (the people who hire you) to know how to reach you. But it’s also important to remember one thing:
You have no control over who sees your promotional material.
Anything you post online — or even send through the Postal Service — can potentially be seen by anyone. That means not only bookers can find you… but everyone else can too.
And yes, I have a story about that. I’ll get to it in a moment.
First, a little context.
Business methods for comedians and humorous speakers have changed a lot over the years. In my workshops I used to bring in stacks of promotional packages created by major public relations firms for big-name comedians. They were impressive — glossy photos, printed bios, press clippings, and resumes all packaged in designer folders.
Agents and bookers would spread them across their desks and review them like portfolios.
But those days are mostly gone.
Today almost everything is digital. Instead of printed folders, you have websites, email attachments, and online video clips. It’s faster, cheaper, and easier for everyone involved.
But one thing hasn’t changed:
You still don’t know who might end up seeing your information.
You’re looking at me?
If you list your home address on promotional material, you’re not just giving it to talent buyers. You’re giving it to anyone who stumbles across your website or your materials.
And that brings us to the story.
But first, think about this…
The only time someone in this business truly needs your address is when they’re sending you a contract or payment. Sometimes that happens electronically today, but many event planners and bookers still use good old-fashioned snail mail.
If someone wants to know where you’re located for booking purposes, simply list the nearest major city.
For example:
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Cleveland
- Chicago
- Tampa
That’s all they need to know to determine whether a booking is realistic.
If they decide to hire you and need to send paperwork or payment, then you can provide a mailing address.
Better yet, since you’re running a business, think like a business.
Use a business address.
If you don’t have an office, a P.O. Box works perfectly and keeps your home address private.
The same goes for phone numbers.
Yes, cell phones make it easy to stay reachable, but think twice before posting your personal number online. Unless you have a phone dedicated strictly to business, anyone can find it.
And that includes:
- Annoying strangers
- Former acquaintances
- People who want to “pitch” you something
- Or the occasional wacko who just wants someone to bother
A simple “Contact” form on your website works much better. Interested bookers can email you directly, and you keep control of your personal information.
Separate business and personal email accounts as well.
For example, my business email is:
I’m happy to share that publicly because it’s for business. My family and close friends use a different address.
And now… the story I promised.
Years ago, the owner of a well-known comedy club suggested I check out a young, up-and-coming female comedian who was looking for management. I watched her perform and immediately knew she had serious potential.
Over the years she proved that prediction correct. Today she’s a national headliner you’d recognize from television and movies.
But early in her career, she learned a difficult lesson.
She wanted to make sure every booker in North America could reach her, so she printed her home address and personal phone number on all her promotional materials.
And it worked.
She landed a week at a great comedy club a few hours from home — a big step forward in her career.
But here’s what happened next.
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The club displayed her promotional photo outside with the headliners. She was very attractive, and the photo caught people’s attention.
At the end of the week, after paying her, the club owner tossed her promotional packet into the trash. Not because she wasn’t funny — she was — but because bookers rarely keep those materials. They simply don’t have the space.
A few days later she received a phone call from someone claiming to be a talent booker who had her promo material.
You probably see where this is going.
He wasn’t a booker.
He was a comic who had been hanging around the club, saw her photo in the trash, and took the promotional packet — complete with her home address and phone number.
The calls started out normal.
Then they got strange.
Then they got scary.
He became a full-blown stalker.
She had to destroy all her promotional materials and have them reprinted with new contact information. Back then that was expensive because headshots and printing costs weren’t cheap.
But the worst part?
She had to move.
Imagine hearing someone say, “I know where you live.”
That might sound dramatic in a movie, but in real life it’s terrifying.
She eventually relocated and had some very large friends help make sure the stalker wasn’t around when she moved.
The lesson is simple:
You are running a business.
Treat it like one.
Keep your personal life and personal contact information separate from your professional materials.
Because once something is out there — online or in print — you never know who’s going to find it.
Thanks for reading and as always – keep laughing!!
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