Have you ever thought about opening a comedy club, but don’t know where to begin? Most people naively think that you need a good comedian to draw audiences, but really you need good audiences to draw good comedians. There are many common missteps and uncertainties along the path to making your club a staple of your city and have it operating profitably. Where some stray from the path, hold close these suggestions, for they will keep you on the road to success

First, what most people don’t realize about comedy clubs is that they don’t open huge. Since all you need for a comedy club is a stage, a microphone, a bar, and an audience, its easy to arrange a comedy “room” inside an existing bar or nightclub. This simple fact is great for someone just starting out: the start up costs are low as are the risks. You wont have to spend big bucks a new big screen television, or a fancy complicated sound system. Depending on the size of your city and the loyalty of your audience, your club might only have one performance a week.

Sometimes the population inst too familiar with live comedy, they have yet to experience the contagious laughter in the crowd and the unique experience of a talented comedian entertaining them. Make no mistake, live comedy is an outstanding form of entertainment that will easily spread by word. After attending a show people will tell their friends what a great time they had at the club. Who wouldn’t want to have fun at a fresh new venue in town?

As your audience grows and so does your budget, you can expand your schedule, and even look towards moving into your own building. This strategy has guided many of the most successful comedy club owners across the country, and a modest start can turn into a spectacular establishment. You’ll be amazed as you watch your business swell with interest and income as word of mouth draws more and more patrons.

To prepare for your eventual success, start with an agency that can see you all the way through. Whether you’re working on a trim budget, or looking to book Jay Leno, comedy club booking agencies can find the right comedians for your audience and budget. They have experience doing this, and they know what act at what price is the best fit. As your club grows, you’ll book bigger comics, which will draw bigger crowds–a beautiful business plan, indeed.

With the current down turn in the economy many hotels are scrambling to find new ways to generate revenue . One option that works well is to turn the empty bar or banquet room into a comedy club for the night. With a little effort you can be the comedy club in town and attract new local customers to your hotel. Laughter may very well be the best medicine for people facing difficult times and help the properties bottom line. Historically comedy clubs and other live entertainment venues have thrived in difficult economic times. In the 80′s during the gas shortages and recession the comedy clubs boomed. While we are in uncertain times this may be the case during our current economic downturn. Many comedy clubs are doing very well and most comedy concerts are selling out.

It is not difficult to prepare a banquet room or lounge for a comedy show but some things are required for a successful event. The room should hold 100 to 300 people with good seating and tables. Small cocktail tables are best but a banquet style set up will work fine. You want the audience to be seated as close to each other as possible, laughter is contagious. A stage or riser is necessary to give the audience a good line of sight. Some stage lighting is also required to get the full effect of the show and to help give the room a show biz feel. The number one thing required for a good comedy show is a good sound system. The greatest act in the world will fail if the audience can’t hear them.

The next thing you will need is to draw a crowd in the seats. Many comics claim to have large fallowing but most do not. The venue will have to draw a crowd because the acts will change each week. You must become known as the place for a great comedy show. Provide a quality funny show with good acts and provide great service to improve your revenue. Watch the little details and the word of mouth will spread like wild fire and your room will do very well.

If you have an ongoing relationship with a radio station this can be a great way to get the word out. Most stations love to be a part of such an event and the DJ will often MC the event giving them exposure at a great venue. You should also use posters, direct mail and e-mail. News paper adds are an option and you will definitely want to send out a press release. Some of the booking agents or acts have publicists to do this for you. Many clubs will offer a discount admission and make the profit on the food and drinks. Most all comedy clubs have a two item minimum purchase and you should too.