If you have a talent for writing comedy, but haven’t found the right fit yet, this article is for you. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of writing comedy and guide you on how to get a job as a comedy writer.
Learn The Basics
To begin with, try to get into the habit of writing funny stories. If you have a talent for drawing, try out your hand at comics. Even if you aren’t great at drawing, try doing some digital drawings to accompany your writing. Having a visual aid while writing can really help bring the story to life.
It’s also important to know how to write a synopsis. A good one-two-three-four synopsis will really help you sell your work. It’s a great tool for pitching your work to publishers or getting an agent to represent you. You can also use it as a jumping off point for your comedic novel or screenplay. Once you know how to write a good one-liner, it’s a snap to write a funny story.
Know Your Audience
Before you write a single word, know who you’re writing for. This is a broad guideline, but it’s a golden rule in comedy. If you can’t write something that will make your elders laugh, then you’re not quite ready for the big leagues. As a comedy writer, you’ll be dealing with all ages, so make sure you address their concerns. Be sensitive to what’s relevant to their lifestyle, and you’ll find they’ll quickly relate to your material.
Start Small
Unless you’re already working in the industry, don’t expect to land your first job as a comedy writer. It took me over ten years of self-employment to finally land my first writing job. So if you want to break into the comedy writing game, you may have to take some time to hone your skills and build your portfolio. To start, look for gigs on Craigslist or Gumtree. You can also try submitting your work to comedy competitions. The more you submit, the more you’ll build up your reputation as a reliable and talented comedy writer.
Get Inspired
If you have a particular topic that you’d like to write about, then try to find some sources to inspire you. Does family history play a role in your stories? Are you interested in exploring mental health issues or how to navigate your relationships with loved ones? There will always be a way you can fit your story into a comical context, so long as you find the right source for inspiration.
Once you’ve got a few stories under your belt, take a step back and ask yourself, ‘Do these stories seem funny to me?’ If the answer is yes, then you may be on track to becoming a successful comedy writer. However, if the answer is no, then it may be time to find a different career. There are many outlets for comedic writers, so don’t be afraid to explore the options available to you.
Build A Reputation
Building a reputation as a reliable and talented comedy writer is a long process. While it may not seem like it at first, there are actually a lot of different ways to go about doing this. The first step is to simply be consistent. Put out some solid content on a regular basis and establish yourself as someone to watch out for. Look for other reliable writers in your niche and consider them friends. A good starting point for building your reputation is to participate in comedy groups on social media. Start a hashtag on Twitter and use it to tell your followers about your work. If you’ve got a Facebook page, consider creating a comedy group. The more you participate, the more you’ll start to build up your credibility. After all, it takes time to make enemies – it takes even longer to make friends.
Get A Portfolio Ready
Since you’re just starting out, don’t worry about getting all the little details right. Instead, just get a portfolio ready. Start small and simply add more material as you go along. Remember, you’re not only trying to impress the people reading your work, but you’re also trying to impress the people you’ll be pitching your work to. Include stories that are both funny and professionally written. Also, don’t forget to include a bio. If you’re an aspiring comedy writer, make sure you include relevant information about you. These days, everyone is a publisher, and it’s completely acceptable to include a contact email address or a phone number. Make sure you have a good one too. Since you’re just getting started, save that number in case you want to reach out to the agent or publisher to follow up. Having a good number is also important in case you do get picked up by a publisher and want to follow up on negotiations. Remember, this is often a long and drawn-out process, so be prepared to follow up multiple times.
Find An Agent
Once you’ve got a good amount of material ready, it’s time to find an agent. An agent can really help you get the most out of your material. They’ll be able to put your portfolio in the best possible light, pitch your stories to the highest bidder, and negotiate the best possible deal for you. If you happen to be a professional writer, then you may also be able to get direct access to some prominent people in the industry. Having connections can really help get your work out there.
Get Noticed
Now that you have an agent, the next step is to get noticed. The best way to do this is to submit your work to festivals and competitions. You can also try and build a brand for yourself. Once people start to recognize you as a funny writer, it will open up a lot of opportunities for you. The important thing is to keep plugging away at it and make sure that you continue to produce funny content. Consistency will always get you far.
Writing comedic fiction is a great way to exercise your imagination. If you want to write a humorous story, just find a topic you’re passionate about and start there. You may not always hit the mark, but that’s what makes it exciting to continue writing and improving. If you want to get a job as a comedy writer, then simply follow these tips. You’ll be on your way to a lucrative and successful career in no time.