Funny is Female: Social Media and Branding Panel
The Funny Is Female Festival’s Social Media Panel brought together top voices in comedy and marketing to share practical insights on how performers can build and sustain their digital presence. This panel discussion offered an honest look at what it takes to thrive online as a modern comedian and especially as a woman. Whether you’re a rising comic or an experienced performer, these highlights are super helpful for your growth and continued success.
Rebecca Joey Schwab, Windy City Comedy Fest Producer, joined the social media and branding panel at the Funny is Female festival in Oak Park, Illinois. Here are the biggest takeaways from that meaningful session. This panel also included Marta Block, Paige Galdieri, and Julia K Rohlf. For more information and brand consultation, reach out to Rebecca>>
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The Funny Is Female Festival Recap: Branding, Posting, and Growing Online
What does it mean to “build a brand” as a comedian?
Building a brand is about creating consistent familiarity and recognition for your comedy persona.
Brand = recognizable personality or “vibe”
Consistency in colors, fonts, and tone builds recall
Keep content fresh, but maintain core recognizable elements
Your “brand promise” sets audience expectations
What are common branding mistakes comedians make?
Neglecting websites, email lists, and being too precious with content.
Linktree ≠ Website – you need both
Start collecting emails early
Make sure you’re Google-searchable (SEO!)
Don’t overthink posting “unfinished” material
Audiences don’t care about perfection—they care about connection
Linktree vs. Website – what’s better?
Use both, but prioritize driving people to your own website. Do not underestimate the importance of SEO and your own website with a calendar and backlinks to other ticketing sites.
Keep your website as the central hub
Use Linktree links that direct traffic back to your domain
Host ticket links and events on your website for SEO & tracking
Helps with searchability and professional appearance
What are the most important social media platforms for comedians?
Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook — and surprisingly, Reddit. Make sure to link your Facebook business page and Instagram so you can take advantage of Meta Business Suite.
Top 5: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Reddit
Reddit is growing fast for comedians (try r/StandupComedy)
Long-form content now works on TikTok & YouTube
Don’t separate accounts unless you have distinct projects
Should you delete old or bad posts?
Don’t delete—archive or make private. Do not be untrustworthy to the alogirthm gods.
Only delete if content aged badly or is problematic
Algorithms distrust accounts that delete posts
Repost or re-edit underperforming content
The goal: consistency, not perfection
Should personal and comedy accounts be separate?
Depends on content and privacy comfort level, but the short answer is YES. Also, if you produce shows or podcasts, diversify your social media to speak to the audiences you are aiming for and not cross-pollinate.
If you go public, remove personal/family posts
Keep shows and collaborations on a separate account if needed
Avoid posting politics or personal stuff on your comedy page
Maintain consistency and engagement on whichever account you choose
Reach vs. Target Audience – what’s more important?
Focus on reach and engagement, not vanity metrics. You want to be able to track your growth and use the data to inform how you continue to create content.
Consistency is key, not follower count
Watch for “non-follower reach” — new audiences discovering you
You can’t control who your audience is — lean into who responds
Collaborate with others to expand reach organically
Editing comedy clips – best practices?
Hook fast, trim fluff, focus on laughs within 15 seconds. You can edit the clip to your own particular style, but do not waste time. The faster you can get the audience to engage, the more likely for retention and followers.
Cut dead space between jokes
Add captions (algorithms read them!)
Use keywords in captions and on-screen text for SEO
Test different edits across platforms
Use CapCut, InShot, or native platform editors
How often should comedians post?
Be consistent with what’s sustainable — not daily perfection. If you can, post every day. 1 carousel image post a week and 3-4 reels containing standup material, crowd work, and/or skteches.
Pick your “content buckets” (stand-up, promos, personal moments)
Use planning tools like ClickUp or Google Calendar
Two posts per week is better than burnout
Pre-schedule posts using Meta Suite or other tools
Is SEO still relevant with AI search?
Yes — AI still reads text and keywords from your posts. Make sure the words you want to be searchable are present on the video (even if that means pulling the text out of view) and the caption. Optimize your videos and think stragically so you can leverage Ai in your favor.
Keep writing meta descriptions and keywords
Use consistent titles, captions, and hashtags
Treat captions as searchable content
Are new social platforms worth trying?
Focus on core platforms; Reddit and LinkedIn are underrated. Seriously, think about Reddit and start getting used to the platform. A great example is Gianmarco Soresi - check out what he has done.
Reddit: organic reach and stand-up communities
LinkedIn: great for promoting shows, collaborations, and blogs
Threads/BlueSky: optional; still niche
Try new platforms early, but don’t burn out chasing trends
How to protect privacy and safety from “creepers”?
Use separate personal and public pages; lock down Facebook. You can change your privacy settings so no one can follow your private Facebook page. There will always be unwanted comments, but you can keep them in the business realm and away from your personal accounts.
Make your private Facebook non-searchable
Create a public comedy page for fans
Limit who can add or message you
Report and block consistently - ALL THE TIME
How to manage multiple creative identities?
As mentioned above, separate accounts if audiences are different; cross-link wisely. If you produce a show, a podcast, or another kind of brand, keep them separate from your personal comedy brand. Digitial idenitities are important and should be unique and branded accordingly.
Separate comedy from other creative fields (e.g., writing, music)
If there’s overlap, make crossover content
Link both bios to each other
Engage from both accounts to grow each community
How to grow an email list from social media?
Ask weekly and tie signups to fan interaction. It can be as easy as a google form, or a link to your website and a full subscripton page. Make sure to ask for location, zip code if you are fancy, and birth date if you want to be able to identify your age demographics. The more information you have the easier to communicate your value to clubs and bookers.
Post “Want to see me in your city?” with signup links
Use Google Forms or built-in email tools
Collect name, email, and location for touring data
Use signups as leverage for booking gigs
How far in advance should you promote shows?
Start at least a month out with consistent countdown posts. People need to see something 3 times to make a decision, so the sooner you can publish information about a show (and even more upcoming dates) the more likely to convert views to purchases.
Begin 4–6 weeks before the show
Post weekly updates and countdowns
Use Instagram “collab” posts with venues
Include your next 3–5 upcoming shows in every promo post
How personal should your content be?
Mix personal touches with professional content. The audience wants to know you or the persona of you. Sprinkle in some authenticity but overall keep it professional and decide your own boundaries. This is the internet, so boundaries are often ignored. Be careful and be smart.
70% comedy / 30% relatable personal moments
Build connection by showing personality
Keep boundaries clear for privacy and safety
Use carousels or stories for behind-the-scenes glimpses
Should you go live?
Yes, strategically and consistently, but plan it in advance. Make a script or an outline and practice it - you are a comic so you are funny. You could cook or show a getting ready video or even discuss a current event. Tell your followers in advance so they are ready to interact.
Short (10–15 min) green room lives work well
Announce live sessions in advance
Interact with followers through Q&A or pre-show chats
Great for boosting reach and follower connection
How to handle burnout and mental health on social media?
Curate your feed and set boundaries. Mental health is important and social media messes with your dopamine. Take advantage of all scheduling tools so you do not have to live on social media. Create a spreadsheet of relevant accounts, open it on a desktop, click through and like and comment so you are considered active and it does not harm you like doom scrolling.
Follow only uplifting accounts
Schedule time-limited engagement sessions
Post from your desktop or scheduler, not your phone
Reframe social media as part of your business, not your worth
💡 PRO TIPS FROM THE PANEL
🏆 TOP 10 TAKEAWAYS FOR THE FUNNY IS FEMALE FESTIVAL
Consistency beats perfection. Post regularly, even if imperfect.
Own your website. Never rely solely on Linktree.
Start your email list now. Collect names, cities, and emails early.
Don’t hoard content. Reuse and repost your material creatively.
Hook quickly. First 3–15 seconds make or break engagement.
Leverage collaborations. Cross-promote with other comics or shows.
Use captions for SEO. Platforms read text — make it keyword-rich.
Diversify content. Mix clips, behind-the-scenes, and personal stories.
Prioritize mental health. Schedule, don’t scroll. Protect your energy.
Be findable and safe. Separate public and private pages, especially on Facebook.
In a digital world where attention spans are short and authenticity matters most, this panel reminds us that consistency and confidence beat perfection every time. By showing up online with intention—whether through clips, collaborations, or photo carousels— you are building a brand. Remember: funny is female, and the future is yours to create. Do not be so precious and do not be scared - BE CONSISTENT.