{"id":8411,"date":"2026-07-12T18:13:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T22:13:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecomedybook.com\/?p=8411"},"modified":"2026-07-13T16:16:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T20:16:05","slug":"dont-send-that-video-yet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecomedybook.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/12\/dont-send-that-video-yet\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t send that video… yet"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey Dave \u2013 What\u2019s a good way to promote myself as a comedian and my videos to talent bookers? Can I send them to a video posted on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram? \u2013 BT<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Are you ready?<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Hey BT \u2013 I\u2019m not revealing any kind of marketing breakthrough by saying almost everything today is done online. Okay, in my opinion in-person showcases are always the best, but not always easy to schedule \u2013 especially if promoting yourself for gigs not within easy travel distance.<\/p>\n

And believe it or not, there are still a few (very few) talent bookers that request hard copies of promotional packages. In my opinion it just means they\u2019re out of touch with what\u2019s going on. If they can\u2019t get online and learn how to work with streaming video and website links, what kind of gigs are they getting for their clients?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m guessing Amish barn-raisers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What used to be included in a hard-copy promotional package is what still needs to be included when you promote yourself online. And a dedicated website \u2013 rather than social media – is considered more professional and even required by some bookers I\u2019ve worked with if you want to be considered for work.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t be discouraged if you don\u2019t have a big-time website with a lot of bells and whistles dedicated strictly to your comedy or speaking career. One or two pages with the necessities (video, photo, resume, bio) will do the trick until you hit headline or television star status and can hire a publicist to do the work for you.<\/p>\n

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Are you sure?<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s some insider advice:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Great promotional material might get you noticed, but talent and experience are what gets you hired. Basically, it\u2019s still all about writing and performing. That part of the job never ends. But when you\u2019re ready to take the next step in your career, you\u2019ve got to let people know \u2013 and that\u2019s when professional looking promotional material and marketing techniques come into play.<\/p>\n

Notice one of the words used above \u2013 professional<\/strong>. Here\u2019s one of the most important lines from my book Comedy FAQs And Answers<\/em><\/strong>:<\/p>\n

\u201cThey may call it amateur night \u2013 but no one is looking to hire an amateur.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sharing your videos with friends is easy on YouTube, Facebook, and others. Millions of people do it every day. Just send a message asking them to watch your video and include a link. But when it comes to promoting yourself to get professional bookings, you need to realize that your video and website are important marketing tools.<\/p>\n

Go back the word I used earlier \u2013 professional.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Once you have a professional looking video and a professional looking website, then you can start contacting bookers to look at it. This is done through networking (meaning you know someone that can recommend you or put you in contact with the booker), researching, (going to the booker or club\u2019s website and finding the required way to submit promotional material or request a showcase), and\/or (and I hate this one, even though I\u2019m good at it) cold calling. With the cold call you basically want to get the correct information on how to submit your material to a booker and then follow it.<\/p>\n