Some seasoned comedians will actually go on stage and try to bomb just to find out what doesn't work. We don't suggest you try this at first unless you have an extremely resilient ego, or if you're a masochist and enjoy the abuse. Other than experience, the one thing that separates the amateurs from the pros is that the pros get paid. It may not be much in the beginning, but as soon as somebody hands you some green stuff for being funny, you are what is known as a working comic . Then you can tell people that you're a comedian who happens to do a little waitering, as opposed to merely being a funny waiter.
Comedy clubs are where most amateur comics get their first crack at becoming working comics.
Most comedy clubs videotape the amateur comics performing their short sets. It helps if the manager who worked the night you performed liked your act. The emcee introduces the main acts of the show. Most regular comedy club shows consist of three acts. The first act is the emcee, who does 10 to 15 minutes of material.