Comedians: here's your guide to hustling on social media

Look I get it, social media is the worst. No one wants to be a pretentious jerk obsessed with followers and how many retweets your stupid joke got.

But the reality of comedy (and most artistic careers) in 2019 means your social media presence is not only necessary, it can open doors and lead to opportunities you may never be offered through traditional avenues.

As someone who has worked both in front of and behind the camera, I've been in rooms where television producers are talking about comics they want to hire for writing and acting gigs. In real time a name will be thrown out for consideration, and if anyone is unfamiliar with them — Google is consulted.

If a simple Google search doesn't bring up everything the producers need to make an informed decision, everyone moves on to the next suggestion. Obviously, this isn't how it always happens — but do you really want to lose out on a potential gig because you're too lazy to tweet a couple times a week?

Do you really want to lose out on a potential gig because you're too lazy to tweet?- Kristy LaPointe

There is no one way to do social media right, it's all about finding something that works for you. Here are a few guidelines to get you started.

Have an online presence

Duh. This is the bare minimum, and my number one suggestion for all performers and writers.  If someone Googles you, they should, at the very least, be able to find some details about you and contact info.

Ideally they should easily find samples of your work, a short bio, professional photos, any reviews or press, and a way to contact you or your agent/reps.

Even if you decide to eschew all social media you can simply set up a landing page website with all of this information readily available. Keep it updated and splurge the annual $100ish for a website builder and host that looks professional and not like something your cousin made in HTML class in the 90s.

Branding

Know your brand! If your stand-up is super clean and family friendly, don't tweet dark shit. If your sketch troupe is known for surreal, absurdist premises, let that shine through online.

All the common sense advice applies: use your bios wisely, have a good quality photo.

Jennifer McAuliffe (@jenniferjokes) is a tweet machine whose self-deprecating observational humour works as well on twitter as it does on the road as a touring stand-up.

Tweeting jokes in a strong consistent voice means fans who see you at a show or in a video can follow your career and that fans who discover you on social media can turn into an audience for a live show.

Keep it consistent

Don't have a bunch of half dead accounts spread across five hundred platforms. This is not a good look, and almost worse than having no web presence.

People would rather see one account that's regularly updated, so if you're social media adverse pick the platform that works best for you and stick with it.

Don't have a bunch of half dead accounts.- Kristy LaPointe

Twitter is a great place for joke writing and one liners and Instagram is great for performers wanting to showcase characters and video content.

If you know there is no way you'll stick to any kind of consistent posting schedule, you can always pre-schedule posts with a social media management platform like HootSuite or Buffer.

Have fun with it

If you're begrudgingly posting on social media, people will feel it. Having a strong social media presence can absolutely help your career, but the stakes are much lower than a paid gig, so you can afford to make it fun.

If you're begrudgingly posting on social media, people will feel it.- Kristy LaPointe

Sketch comedian and actor Laura Cilevitz (aka Canada's Natalie Walker) uses her Instagram stories and Twitter videos to create absurdly hilarious video series: from a fake legal battle with a certain Canadian women's clothing brand, to a woman riding the roller coaster that is discovering the highs and lows of your first pumpkin spice latte.

Provide Value

In digital marketing the idea of "providing value" to your fans and followers is huge. No one wants to follow an account that feels too self-promo-y, ie. a Twitter account that only lists when and where your next show will be.

Providing value to your followers is huge.- Kristy LaPointe

For every one "ask-y" post, aim for at least three posts that provide value. As comics, this can mean writing original jokes, posting high quality video content, or even sharing a funny post from another comedian you think your followers will love.

Go Viral!

If all else fails, I would HIGHLY suggest going viral. Apparently this can lead to all sorts of life changing opportunities, and I've also been told having famous friends who will share and repost your stuff goes a long way.