Why Everyone Should Try Stand-Up at Least Once (Yes, Even You)
And no, it's not so that you can get a Netflix Comedy Special.
When I was an intern at P&G, I was on a team that got asked to give a 7-minute presentation to the CIO about one of the ideas we put together.
On the day of the event, it seemed like everyone on my team was freaking out because we were about to speak in front of one of the top execs of the billion dollar company we worked for, our boss’ boss’ boss’ boss’ boss. Everyone except me.
I was as cool as a cucumber. Okay, that’s a lie. I was as cool as a cantaloupe left on the counter. But I was calm and able to manage my stress far better than my peers.
Why? Because I had done stand-up comedy in a basement with only 7 people in it the night before.
I’ve since gone on to do thousands of presentations, plenty of them on big stages with high stakes: keynotes in front of thousands of people, TEDx talks, a Dry Bar Comedy Special, and my wedding vows to Pretzel (my wife).
But none of them feel quite as intimidating as those first few times I got up to do stand-up comedy in random bars in Columbus, OH with only a handful of people in the room.
And it’s for this reason that I’m going to say something that might excite a small handful of you and terrify the rest:
I think everyone should try stand-up comedy at least once in their life.
Now, before you run screaming in the direction of the nearest exit, let me assure you, I understand how some of you might react.
Whenever I suggest this in my workshops, people start shaking their heads no, they say things like, “that’s never going to happen,” or they type in the chat, “hahahahhaha, nope! See ya!”
Even fellow speakers, people who have given thousands of keynote speeches in their career, pushback on going to an open mic with me because “it’s too scary.”
I get it. It is vulnerable. It is unpredictable. It is frightful (like the weather outside in a certain Christmas song).
And yet... it might be one of the most powerful, perspective-shifting, confidence-building things you could ever do.
Here’s why:
Why YOU Should Try Stand-Up Comedy at Least Once
1. Stand-up is one of the hardest forms of public speaking... which makes everything else feel easier
Once you’ve been on a stage and told your best material to a room full of strangers, many of whom are stone-faced, arms crossed, and possibly scrolling their phones, delivering a PowerPoint in a team meeting feels like a walk in the park.
Stand-up teaches you how to be present, how to read a room, how to time your words, and how to handle silence. And if you can survive a five-minute open mic set, you can absolutely nail that next client presentation, wedding toast, or conference keynote.
2. The stakes feel high, but they’re actually very low
Your brain might say, “This is a terrible idea. What if I bomb? What if no one laughs? What if I forget everything?”
And you know what? That might happen. In fact, for most people, it’s very likely to happen.
But here is what won’t happen: your career won’t be ruined. You won’t be blacklisted from the business world. And you won’t become a meme (unless you go really viral in the best way).
The truth is, open mics are low-stakes practice grounds. Nobody is expecting Netflix-level polish. The entire point of open mics is to try material out. It’s a playground for your voice, your timing, your point of view. You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up.
3. Trying it once can boost your self-esteem like nothing else
Just stepping on stage is a win.
Even if you completely blank, the mic cuts out, or you panic halfway through and pivot to interpretive dance, you will have done something that most people will never do.
You will have faced a primal fear and you’ll still be standing. That alone is worth celebrating.
And if you happen to land a joke—just one laugh, one genuine burst of joy from a stranger? There is truly nothing like it. It is electric. You will leave that stage thinking, “If I can do that, what else can I do?”
Not to mention, if you decide to do it more than once, you could:
Find your unique voice
Become a better storyteller
Learn to laugh at your own awkward moments
Meet other wonderfully weird, creative people
Realize that not taking yourself too seriously is a secret superpower
Ready to Give it a Go?
If you’re feeling even a modicum of inspiration to try it out, go for it!
You can absolutely find an open mic near you… or you could come join us.
As part of International Humor Month, we’re hosting a Virtual Open Mic next Monday, April 28th, and you are officially invited.
Whether you want to tell a story, try a new joke, read something funny you wrote, or just listen in to see what it’s all about, you are welcome.
No experience needed. No perfect punchlines required. Just a willingness to show up and maybe laugh a little along the way.
Try it once. Do it scared. And see what happens.
The world does not need more perfect professionals. It needs more people who are willing to get on stage and say, “This might be a disaster... but it’s going to be a funny one.”
See you Monday?
(an)drew
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💯. My ex co founder was doing standup and had some small roles in French series.
Every time we were pitching in a startup contest or in front of VCs, he was nailing it. I remember one guy who was pitching right after us asking "I'm supposed to pitch after THAT ???"
Another great article. I've never been afraid of public speaking, but after doing stand-up comedy for the past six years, my confidence in speaking has increased exponentially!