British Comedy Guide

Career development

Looking to move up the comedy career ladder? You'll find these articles helpful.

Lego characters lining up by a desk

On the job

  • Friday 12th April 2024

Do you need a "proper" job? Probably. (Sorry.)

Graduation

Do I need a degree?

  • Thursday 11th April 2024

Newer creatives often wonder if they need a degree to "break into" the comedy industry. We address that concern.

Generic steps

Baby steps

  • Thursday 28th March 2024

We present a practical approach to building a comedy career.

Dice

Luck versus hard work

  • Wednesday 27th March 2024

We bust the common misconception that success in the comedy industry is all down to luck.

Mike Cooper

Embrace failures, celebrate wins

  • Tuesday 12th March 2024

BCG Pro member Mike Cooper explains his approach to comedy writing.

Big Comedy Conference 2014 audience

Is the comedy industry difficult to break into?

  • Thursday 19th October 2023

Worrying that the comedy industry is difficult to break into is a call to inaction. Here, we discuss, realistically, your prospects of "breaking in".

Illustration of someone working on a laptop

How to PR yourself

  • Tuesday 26th September 2023

In this piece, we explain how to publicise your live show yourself.

Njambi McGrath. Credit: Steve Ullathorne

Njambi McGrath: Playing the long game

  • Tuesday 18th July 2023

Njambi McGrath explains how important the words "believe me, you don't want to make it too soon" are when it comes to progressing in your comedy career.

Handshake

Meeting a producer for the first time

  • Friday 7th July 2023

Meeting new producers is part and parcel of being a comedy writer. Here is some dos and don'ts to bear in mind for when you are offered a meeting.

Casting Directors Guild Awards 2023. Image shows left to right: Toheeb Jimoh, Rachel Sheridan. Credit: Scarlet Page

My Comedy Career: Rachel Sheridan

  • Wednesday 14th June 2023

Award-winning casting director Rachel Sheridan talks us through how she finds talent for shows such as Big Boys, In My Skin, Feel Good and Such Brave Girls.