Canadian stand-up comics say social media is fuelling popularity boom

Side door open live stand up comedy shows are more popular than ever. Ticket revenue has nearly tripled over the last 10 years. It's really like a living thing for me, a joke. And comics here in Canada, credit the boom to social media. Casting directors and bookers of festivals are looking at your followers. TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are the new comedy gatekeepers helping comics build a devoted fan base quickly. My primary job and my primary focus is to get on stage live and be as funny as I can. And I have to shift that thinking into the mode that all more of the younger comedians are in now, and they're just so much better at it. Like I have to fight the millennial pause, you know, the millennial pause where you press record and then you have to wait a little bit 'cause that was our technology. Jackie Pirico has been a successful Canadian stand up for a decade. All you have to do to be a model is be long slaying JFL, booking commercials and getting a regular spot on ATV show. That sucks about your leaky body, pal. But when she started comedy, social media was in its infancy, literally. Now comics are living and dying. By the algorithm, you can create your own empire. Connie Wong started comedy just a couple years ago. Connie Wong, she's already self produced a one hour special and is working on another. I was able to grow my social media and use my e-mail newsletter and my show sold out four days before the event. I couldn't have done that 20 years ago. And then of course, the book. But creating an empire is not a part time job. Learn how to write jokes, learn how to be funny, learn how to do it anywhere and you've got to be able to engage in social media and have your own business and that's a big ask. Someone can be fantastic on stage but just not have that drive or have that ability or that interest to be chronically online and that can cost them bookings. Comedy insiders say if you can do 2 full time jobs really well, one online and one on stage, you might just make it in the industry. Taking Bodett. CBC News Toronto.