A comedian’s website is more than just a digital business card; it’s a platform to showcase their unique brand of humour, connect with fans, drive ticket sales, and promote themselves. But filling that blank space with compelling content can feel as daunting as writing a new hour of material for the stage. Fear not, funny folk! Here’s a guide to brainstorming stand–up website content that’s as engaging as your stand–up routine.

1. Leverage your existing material

These are great occasional methods of creating engaging and interesting content. But don’t overdo them: too much and you might be in danger of making your comedy not funny any more. It’s best to use these with just a few of your jokes, and never your prize jokes.

• The “Behind the joke” blog
  Take your best bits and dissect them. What inspired the premise? What were the alternate punchlines? This offers fans insight into your creative process and provides a deeper connection.
• Transcript excerpts
  Post snippets of your stand–up, highlighting your strongest jokes. Pair them with video clips or audio recordings for maximum impact.
• “Joke origins” video series
  Create short, engaging videos where you explain the genesis of a particular joke. This humanises your comedy and shows the work that goes into crafting humour.

2. Explore your comedic persona in stand–up website content

• “Day in the life” content
  Share glimpses into your daily routine, emphasising the absurd or humorous aspects of your life. This can be done through blog posts, photos, or short video clips.
• “Comedian confessions” series
  Discuss the struggles of being a comedian, the awkward gigs, the hecklers, and the triumphs. Relatability is key for this one. You could combine this with collaborating with other comedians and get comedians you appear with give you one confession before a show or ‘guest appear’ on your blog.
• “Character development” posts
  If you perform character–based comedy, delve into the backstories and motivations of your characters. This can be a fun way to expand their world beyond the stage.

3. Engage your audience

• “Ask me anything” sessions
  Host live Q&A sessions on your website or social media, answering fan questions about your comedy, your process, or anything else they’re curious about. You could combine this with collaborating with another comedian acting as chairperson, or answering questions for your audience. You could swap and do the same for them and broaden your audience.
• Interactive polls and quizzes
  Create fun quizzes related to your comedy or general humour. For example, “Which of my characters are you?”, or “How well do you know comedic tropes?”
• Fan submission contests
  Encourage fans to submit their own jokes, memes, or videos related to your comedy. While this fosters a sense of community it also provides fresh content. The one that makes you laugh the hardest could feature in your next show, or you could give tickets to the winner.
• Behind the scenes Q&A with other comedians you know
  This is a great way to cross promote, and bring new eyes to your site.
• Compare’s eye view
  Ask the compare of one of your shows to do a behind–the–scenes short video about your set with an honest appraisal of your performance.

4. Expand beyond stand–up

• Podcast integration
  If you have a podcast, embed episodes on your website and create blog posts summarising key points or offering bonus content.
• Web series or sketches
  Create original video content specifically for your website. This can be a great way to showcase your versatility and attract new viewers.
• Reviews and recommendations
  Share your thoughts on other comedians, comedy shows, or anything else you find funny. This establishes you as a tastemaker and provides valuable content for your audience. You can also encourage other comedians to consider your content.
• Curated content
  Share funny articles, videos, or memes that align with your comedic style. This positions you as a source of humour beyond your own material.

Stand–up website content must–haves

When you produce stand–up website content don’t forget the basics for any content:

1. Identify keywords related to your comedy style, target audience, and location. Use these keywords in your website content to improve search engine visibility;
2. Consistently add new content to keep your website fresh and engaging. Aim for a regular posting schedule, even if it’s just a short update once per week;
3. Ensure your website is mobile–friendly, because many users will access it from their smartphones and it is important for search engine rankings; and,
4. Include clear calls to action on your website, such as “Buy tickets,” “Subscribe to my newsletter,” or “Follow me on social media”.

Brainstorming techniques

1. Mind mapping: start with a central topic and branch out with related ideas;
2. Freewriting: set a timer for ten minutes and write down anything that comes to mind, without censoring yourself;
3. Collaboration: brainstorm with fellow comedians or friends. They may offer fresh perspectives and ideas;
4. Audience feedback: pay attention to what your fans are saying on social media and in person because this can provide valuable insights into what content they want to see; and,
5. Check your analytics data for insights: see how your content performs in analytics data to identify what your audience is finding through searches, as well as what content they are engaging with.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by leveraging your existing material, exploring your comedic persona, engaging your audience, and expanding beyond stand–up, you can create a website that’s as hilarious and engaging as your live performances. Remember to be authentic, consistent, and most importantly, have fun! Your website should be a reflection of your unique comedic voice, a place where fans can connect with your humour and become part of your community.

Further reading

Spotlight on success: How a professional website can enhance a comedian’s career

Why comedians need their own website

Content management strategy—a Redcentaur service