I’ve been attending, and reviewing shows, and events, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for a quite a few years now. Here are 5 Tips for Performers at the Edinburgh Fringe 2022.
Tip #1 – Flyer mindfully!
Don’t just wander aimlessly, handing flyers to any hand that’ll take them. The vast majority will end up in the bin. Remember, those flyers weren’t free to print.
Sell your show to everyone you can. Ask them if they have 10/20/30 seconds for you to sell your show. Only when you think you’ve detected a glimmer of interest should a flyer leave your hand for a new home. Then, and only then, will it become more than a random piece of paper in your potential audience’s hand.
Tip #2 – Have an excellent elevator pitch
That is, have a masterful 10/20/30 second pitch ready to deploy at any time. You may well be a master of improv, and a queen of quirky charm, but when you’ve been beating the cobbles for 30 minutes, and no-one’s shown an interest, adrenaline will hijack your brain when someone stops to chat.
That pre-prepared elevator pitch will help you do all that; think an early round in The Apprentice, those with a solid sales strategy, win. What is your show? Where is it? Why should they care? Sell, sell, sell!
Tip #3 – Work whatever size of audience you get
The Fringe is the biggest, and most competitive performance arts festival in the world. There are more than 3000 shows in a given year, and whilst the audience potential is huge, it’s neither infinite not guaranteed.
If you’re lucky enough to draw in a tiny audience on day 1, then pat yourself on the back; plenty of your colleagues had no one show up. 2 people enthusiastically telling their friends, and family about your show could mean a bumper audience tomorrow. Encourage comments on social media, and reviews on the official Fringe website. Shows, particularly new shows, live and die on word of mouth.
And remember that solitary person in your audience, could be an awards judge…
Tip #4 – Collaborate
I’ve discovered some of my favourite acts of the Fringe though showcases and ‘best of’ shows. Case in point, President Obonjo, who I first saw in an afternoon comedy showcase at Laughing Horse’s Counting House. I, and my wife, followed him to his own evening gig at the Voodoo Rooms, and haven’t missed him (when he’s in town) since. You better believe all our friends, family and my social media/blog following, know we love the good President; I’m a free promoter.
So collaborate! Invite people to guest spot, get invited to do likewise; build your professional network, and with it opportunity to reach new audiences, and a larger profile.
Tip #5 – Work Smart, Not Hard
Maybe it’s obvious, but it’s universally true that a half dead performer, tends to perform more poorly that one that’s hydrated, rested, and nourished. You’re going to be tempted to burn the candle at all possible ends, performing whenever, and wherever you can, and promoting when you’re off-stage. When triumph and/or disaster strike you may also end up drowning, or junk feeding your emotions. Just as Stephen King discovered he didn’t need to be single-handedly supporting the South American black market to write, you don’t need to suffer (excessively) to perform.
So take care of yourself! When you step on stage, leave nothing in the “dressing room”, or toilet roll storage cupboard as it’s more usually referred to. Enjoy the city. Enjoy this culmination of the years of work that have brought you here; and smash it!
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