British comedian Bob Monkhouse once used to tell a joke that went: “People used to laugh when I told them I wanted to be a comedian, well they’re not laughing now.”
That self-deprecating gag says a lot being a comedian. Although said in jest, it shows that having dreams of making a career as a comedian can often be derided and not taken seriously. After all, few people are naturally funny and many will find it harder still to turn their jokes into a whole career.
You may think that writing complex thrillers or twisty mystery books with complicated plots is the most difficult form of writing, but it is universally agreed that comedy is the hardest genre to write.
It’s about much more than slipping in a few funny lines here or there or shoe-horning in a joke whenever you feel like it.
Laughs must be earned and even the most skilled comedians who rely on quick-fire gags know that there has to be some level of preparation. Here are some key areas you need to consider to make a joke stick.
Context
Make sure the joke you are telling fits into the overall story or subject you are talking about. If it is something people are familiar with, this may be easier, such as what’s been in the news or things people encounter in their daily lives, but you always need to provide context.
Your audience
Comedians might test their jokes out on different audiences to see what goes down well with whom. Always consider the people in front of you or the people you will be reading your material.
Taste
There’s nothing wrong a joke that’s a bit bawdy or pushes the boundaries of taste, you just need to couch it in a way that can get a laugh. If a joke is in really bad taste, you won’t be long hearing about it.
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