So what exactly is a “corporate comedian?” If you’ve ever wanted an answer, you’ve come to the right place.

Furthermore, if you’ve ever considered adding some laughs to your next business event, be it a sales conference, an awards ceremony, or a unique “experience,” then you most definitely want to read on.

I’ve been a full time stand up comedian for more than 25 years. I added “corporate comedian” to my resume about 20 years ago, after freelancing for Live Marketing, a Chicago-based organization that specialized in live business theatre. Have you ever been to a tradeshow? If so, you’ve probably come across a booth featuring about a dozen chairs in front of a small platform and some monitors behind it. Twice an hour a professional narrator (aka an actor or actress who is “between jobs”) bounds onto that platform. He or she then flawlessly deliver an approximately seven minute presentation extolling the virtues of whatever is on display in the booth. That could be new computer software, an industrial printer, a stand-up MRI machine…you name it.

Incidentally, I chose those three examples because I’ve hawked all three products. For Cisco, Komori and GE Healthcare respectively.

Occasionally a client would let me go (slightly) off script or improvise with audience members as they were getting settled in their seats, giving their tradeshow-weary feet a rest. The more they laughed, the more I realized how much laughter was needed in the corporate world. So I transitioned.

Wait, not THAT kind of transition. I mean I shifted my energies from working in smoky comedy clubs to appearing in upscale hotels in the midst of corporate events. Better sleeping accommodations for sure!

How Easy is it to be a Corporate Comedian?

The short answer…it’s tough. A corporate speaker needs to be very mindful of the audience makeup, the company’s history and its culture. I’ve lost track of all the potential clients who begin stories with, “We tried a comedian a few years ago but…

I know how that story ends. The comedian used inappropriate language, brought up politics, belittled the organization. The list goes on and on.

The fact is, a corporate comedian can be the biggest hit at a corporate event. Why? Because humor is memorable. When the event is over, the attendees may remembers snippets from the speaker who discussed AI, DEI or generational differences. But they will DEFINITELY remember the speaker who made them laugh.

I set my client’s minds at ease by insisting on a Zoom call, maybe two, before the event. Hearing from the decision makers helps me to customize material for the presentation and also lets me know if there are subjects that I should avoid. That means doing your homework before pulling the trigger on hiring a funny speaker. If you want to avoid the pitfalls that accompany the decision making process, the video below might help.

Here are a few tips when conducting your search:

Make sure the speaker has enough material. He or she may be hilarious for 90 seconds on TikTok but you have a 45 minute keynote slot to fill

Check the speaker’s social media feeds or podcast. You may learn something about the speaker that could make you nervous

LANGUAGE! If the speaker’s video contains multiple f-bombs, ask yourself what the consequences might be if one slipped out during the presentation

Don’t hire a speaker based exclusively on social media numbers. Likes and follows don’t necessarily translate to “funny.”

It’s fine to tell the speaker what topics will make the audience laugh. But also tell the speaker if there are topics to avoid.

Don’t cave and hire a company employee to emcee an event because “he’s pretty funny at parties.”

Need a corporate comedian to keynote or emcee your next event? You’re on the right page. Click here and let’s get conversation started.