
Second, stop asking people "how was my set?” I really don't want to lie to you if it went bad, if you didn't hear people laughing take a wild guess. It's that simple. If a comic you like or a friend was impressed they'll say something to you. If you really don't know how your set went, audio record it and listen to it later. You're your own harshest critic and we all do it, it makes you aware of exactly what you said, how you said it and what to do later. So when you invite your girl/boyfriend, your mom, your co-workers or whoever you can know for sure. It's pretty painful for me to still listen to myself, but I force other people to do it so it's only fit.
Third, go to as many open mics as you can. It doesn't matter if you haven't any new jokes, what you look like or what you're wearing or if you don't like the room. The more you're on stage the better you perform, plain and simple. We're blessed in Chicago that we can go to multiple open mics every night of the week. I always say to myself the more someone performs the more you know yourself on stage and in turn how much easier it is to write for yourself. The more someone is on stage the more comfortable they are and that really comes across on stage and the audience will be more comfortable with you taking them someone weird in the journey of telling a joke. There are plenty of open mics to go to, some of them if not most will be filled with other comics which is your hardest audience. For me, if I can make a room full of other comics laugh I feel satisfied that I got there two hours early to wait another two hours to do 4 minutes of material.

Fifth, talk to as many people as you can make friends and acquaintanceship with everyone. You're going to be seeing the same faces all over the city so you might as well get familiar. Networking is another thing, the more people you know the better chances you have to get on shows, hear about shows and mics and exciting things happening around the scene. Sometimes you can’t just figure out everything for yourself on the internet.
Sixth and I learned this one the hard way...unless you can deal with things in a civil manner try to not fuck each other. I am not trying to ruin or speak ill of people who are actually capable of having a healthy relationship casual or serious. It's like fucking someone at a job you can't quit. You'll have to see them tomorrow, and the next day and at the next open mic unless you can keep it from being awkward or uncomfortable for you and everyone around you. Choose your dicks and vagina's wisely.
Contributing Writer: Priscilla Francis