Localize Stand Up Comedy RoutinesIn this joke writing article, How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 4 – Localize Stand Up Comedy Routines, I’ll show how localizing your stand up comedy routines can get bigger laughs for the same jokes from local audiences.Previously in this series of joke writing articles, you learned How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 1 – Short Setups and Punchlines, and the reasons for keeping jokes concise.

In the joke writing technique article, How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 2 – End Punchlines with the Reveal, and how to identify the Reveal of the punchline and place it at the end, so you don’t diminish the laughter by stepping on it.

Then from the joke writing article, How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 3 – Use K-Words to Improve Punchlines, you learned that replacing softer sounding words or phrases with K-words make punchlines get better laughs.

Tip 4 – Localize Comedy RoutinesWhen writing stand up comedy routines and jokes they can be structured around the funny idea. The jokes within a stand up comedy routines might be perfectly written but lack an intimate connection to the real world.

The solution is to localize the references in your stand up comedy routine to local or regional people, places, and events. Audiences feel flattered and respond with appreciative laughter because they recognize themselves in your stand up comedy routines. They know you’ve spent time researching their area to alter your stand up comedy routines to reflect their town.

Refer to People

For instance, if you have a joke about a politician who isn’t very bright, then ask the club manager or bartender who’s the most hated politician in the area. Then take that name and insert it into your stand up comedy routines.

“I heard your mayor (name) seems to miss the obvious. Does that mean if he fell into a pool of breasts he’d come up sucking his thumb.”

If the audience agrees with the sentiment, you could get a roar.

Mention Places

If you have a joke in your stand up comedy routines about a rough bar, ask around for the name of a local dive. Again, insert it into your bit.

“I went into your town’s finest bar, (name of tough local bar) – they’ve got some poor guy on the floor pounding the crap out of him. I said to a guy, ‘Why don’t you call a cop?’ He said, ‘Are you crazy? After the beating they’re giving this one?”

If that bar lives up this infamous reputation, you’re likely to get a huge, long laugh.

Use Events

Their local events are a great way to relate your stand up comedy routines to their region. If the city or area is known for their sports and you have a sports joke, then bring that to the comedy game.

“Your area is known for your ice hockey team (name). But I’m confused. I went to a game expecting to see a hockey match, but instead it turned into the Friday Night Fights.”

If these folks are proud of how brutal their hockey players are, then this good joke will get a great laugh.

Comedy Writing Technique: Mark Your Script for Local References

Comb through your stand-up comedy routines and note the people, places, and events where you can substitute local references. Then, as a comedian, when you get to a stand-up comedy gig you’ll have a quick list to research. Or you can do this research online in advance.

Something magical happens when an audience sees their hometown immortalized in your show.

In this joke writing article, How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 4 – Localize Stand Up Comedy Routines, you’ve learned that substituting local people, places, and events in your stand-up comedy show can turn good stand up comedy routines into great stand up comedy routines.

In the next joke writing article, How to Write Funnier Jokes: Tip 5 – Make Punchlines More Negative, turning the same jokes in stand up comedy routines into bigger laughs.

Greg Dean’s Stand-Up Comedy Classes

Greg teaches his techniques in two classes. Level 1 – How to Build a Stand Up Comedy Routine is the beginning class (also called the “101 class”) that teaches you everything you need to know to build and perform a stand-up comedy routine. Level 2: Writing & Performing at the Improv (also known as the “201 class”) guilds you through the process of building a routine and preparing to perform at one of the world’s most prestigious comedy clubs.

Even though these classes are named a beginning and advanced, they are actually classes that stand up comedians of any number of years of experience can take. They are beginning and advanced in the Greg Dean system. If you’re interested in faster and better ways to create good jokes and you want to dive deeper on joke writing then you’ll want to take both of these classes.

Free On Demand Webinar: How to Build a Stand Up Comedy Routine