Top Lessons from Stand Up Comedians Featured on the Zack Lyman Podcast
1. The Power of Bombing: Why Failing Makes You Better
Bombing on stage is one of the most valuable experiences a comedian can have. It’s not fun (trust me, I’ve been there), but it’s where the real growth happens. My friend Dan Bublitz Jr., who hosts the Art of Bombing podcast, talks to stand up comedians specifically about their worst bombs. Hearing how others have struggled and bounced back is both inspiring and a reminder that bombing is a rite of passage.
Every time you bomb, you learn. Maybe it’s a lesson about pacing, material, or how to handle a tough crowd. The key is to pick yourself up, analyze what went wrong, and get back on stage. Bombing isn’t the end—it’s part of the process.
2. Authenticity Wins Every Time
When I first started, I struggled to find my voice. I’ve always been a bit of a weird stand up comic, and for a long time, I tried to fit into what I thought comedy “should” look like. It didn’t work. It wasn’t until I fully embraced my style—quirky, personal, and unexpected—that things started to click.
Now, I love my comedy style. It’s honest, unique, and works well with most audiences because it’s me. That’s the key: authenticity. Audiences connect with comedians who are unapologetically themselves, whether that’s goofy, raw, or completely off-the-wall. So if you’re trying to figure out your comedic voice, lean into who you are, not who you think you should be.
3. Writing is a Daily Practice
Writing jokes is like digging for gold. At first, you’re sifting through piles of dirt, and most of it won’t be worth much. Early on, I wrote thousands of bad jokes before I really got the hang of crafting solid ones.
The good news? The more you practice, the better you get at striking gold. Over time, the ratio of bad jokes to good ones starts to improve. But it doesn’t happen without putting in the work. Writing daily—whether it’s a full joke, a funny observation, or just a silly premise—is the best way to sharpen your comedic voice.
4. Networking in Comedy: It’s All About the Hang
Stand Up Comedy is as much about relationships as it is about jokes. Networking doesn’t have to feel like a chore—it can actually be fun. I recently wrote a blog about how creative people should look for events like CoffeeFest. That’s a coffee-centric trade show, but what’s great about it is that your fans might already be hanging out there, even if it’s not strictly a comedy event.
The same applies to stand up comedy networking. Go to open mics, hang out after shows, and support other comics. These connections aren’t just about getting booked—they’re about finding your people. The comedy community can feel like a family if you invest the time to be part of it.
5. Stand Up Comedy is a Business
Here’s the hard truth: if you don’t understand the business side of comedy, you’re going to struggle. From booking gigs to promoting shows, there’s a lot more to this career than writing jokes. It took me a while to get comfortable with the business side, but it’s crucial.
If you’re not good at the business side, that’s okay—there are people who are. Managers, agents, or even a friend with a knack for organization can help you. But even if you outsource, you should still understand how it works. After all, this is your career, and no one’s going to care about it as much as you do.
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