How to Overcome Fear as a Stand Up Comic

On behalf of tvlesson.com, I’m Lisa Corrao. I’m a stand up comedian, lisacorrao.com. I want to talk a little bit about overcoming fear with standup comedy. Because lets face it, most of people have public speaking as it is. And well, let’s face it, this is worst than that, not only a public speaking but you have to be funny too. You have to get laughs, its terrifying right. Well, after you do it a few times, you’re going to realize, it’s not that bad. But you’re going to be scared the first couple of times unless you’re on so much drugs that you’re not going to feel it. Well, I guess some people are going to be like that too. But here’s some tips to get over fear. My number 1 tip, always be as prepared as possible. You’re going to have a set list, which is your list of jokes. I recommend even keeping it in your back pocket. Not saying that you’re going to take it out and look at it, but if you go blank, it’s not bad to have it back there. And well, I’d rather take out the list and look at it and make fun of myself looking at the list rather than just going “duh” standing out there with nothing. Here’s a weird tip, drink plenty of water, the first thing that’s going to happen when you’re nervous, you get cut in mouth. So you know what, through out the day, if you know that you’re going to try a stand up comedy that night, drink lots of water. And at the club, don’t get drunk. A little bit of alcohol will make the nerves go down a little bit but go easy, one drink, cut it off with that. Keep the water going and that really helps. You’re going to feel fear, think of it as adrenaline which you need to be funny and energetic. So try to figure out how to harness all that energy you’re starting to get, rather than have it make you go crazy. And well, you’re about to do something scary I guess, but you know what, the worst thing that’s going to happen is what, someone’s going to throw something at you, you learn how to digest and you’ll just go with it, its funny either way. On behalf of tvlesson.com, this is Lisa Corrao, thanks for watching.