A guide to hiring a comedian for your next event
Are you planning an event and looking to add some humour to the programme? Whether it’s a corporate party, a private function, or a charity fundraiser, hiring a comedian can be a great way to make it memorable and entertaining. However, finding the right comedian for your event can be a challenging task. Here is The Speakers Agency’s ‘Guide to Booking a Comedian’ to help you navigate the process:
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Determine your budget
The first thing to consider is your budget. Comedians’ rates change based on their level of experience and popularity, so it’s important to have a clear idea of your available budget so that we can help you find a comedian who fits within this.
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Create a brief
The Speakers Agency will give you a selection of speakers suitable for your event after receiving a detailed event brief. It’s important for us to understand your audience, especially things like the age range, industry and interests, which will impact which comedians are most suited to them. Your brief should include anything you feel is relevant, including things such as:
- What is the age range of your audience?
- What type of comedy are you looking for? Do you want a clean comedian, or are you open to more adult humour?
- How long do you want the comedian to perform?
- Are there any other requirements, such as presenting awards?
Answering these questions will help narrow down your search and find the perfect comedian for your event, ensuring that the comedian you choose has a style of comedy that matches your event and the audience in attendance.
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Comedian’s Requirements
It’s important to understand the comedians’ requirements for their performance. Things such as sound and lighting equipment or anything they need in their dressing rooms. These can then all be factored into the event budget ahead of time so there are no surprises later on.
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The Speakers Agency will reach out to the comedian
Once you have found a comedian that you’re interested in, The Speakers Agency will reach out to them with the brief to see if they are interested in your event. They will provide them with all the event details, including the date, time, location and any other relevant information.
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Contracting the comedian
Should the comedian be available and wish to accept, the booking will need to be secured with a contract. The Speakers Agency can handle all of this on your behalf and will ensure that both you and the comedian are protected. We will confirm and agree on all of the event information and comedian’s requirements, including:
- The length of the performance
- The type of material they will perform
- The comedian’s travel and accommodation expenses
- Any equipment needed by the comedian
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Briefing call
Once the booking has been confirmed, you will have a chance to have a call ahead of the event with the comedian. This is your chance to explain in even more detail the nuances of your audience and anything particularly relevant to your industry and event.
It may seem daunting, but booking a comedian is one of the best things you can do to set your event apart from the rest. The Speakers Agency will guide you through the process, handling all details of booking the comedian for you, from researching and negotiating the contract to finalising the details of the performance.
Having been in business for over two decades, we have ongoing relationships with a variety of comedians, so can help you find the right comedian for your event based on your specific needs.
Jayde Adams is a multi award-winning comedian and proud Bristolian. She is one of the stand out comedians of her generation… it’s safe to say that when Dawn French says “Jayde Adams is the 3rd funniest woman in the world. Fact”, she might just be onto something.
Meera Syal is the acclaimed BAFTA nominated actor, screenwriter and author. Arguably best known for her performances in in the long-running BBC series Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at No. 42, Meera was described by the Observer as one of the fifty funniest acts in British comedy. As well as being a hugely popular events and awards host, Meera is also a much-loved after-dinner speaker and can add a sharp-witted insight into women’s and cultural events too.
Al Murray is best known for his alter ego, multi award winning character creation, The Pub Landlord. He is a great comedian and after dinner entertainer. On television, Al’s credits include his edgy quiz show Fact Hunt on ITV1, An Audience With Al Murray The Pub Landlord (ITV 1) which attracted 6.3 million viewers and 37 episodes of his acclaimed pub based sit-com Time Gentlemen Please (Sky One/Paramount).
Steve Bugeja is an incredible comedian and events host, and a true standout in the comedy circuit. With his sharp writing and dynamic performance style, Steve is one of the most exciting comedians, writers, and performers of the 21st century. He co-created and co-starred in the hit ITV2 sitcom Buffering with Iain Stirling, which was so successful that it was commissioned for a second series that aired in January 2023.
If you’re planning an event and would like some advice or support in finding the right Comedian, please get in touch by calling +44 (0) 1332 810481 or emailing enquiries@thespeakersagency.com
