Weekly or monthly pop-up comedy night

Audiences buying tickets, usually friends, couples and groups after a night out. Venues may also share bar takings or give you the room for free.

Ticket sales minus performer fees, venue hire and promotion. Some organisers also take a share of bar sales or sell tables to groups and workplace events.

• Spotting and booking good acts
• Social media promotion
• Hosting or MC-ing a night
• Organising and running to time

• Public liability insurance: check whether the venue's policy covers you or whether you need your own
• Liquor licensing rules differ by state, so check the venue holds the right licence and who is responsible for responsible service of alcohol
• Check with the venue or council about entertainment or capacity conditions for the room
• Music licensing if you play recorded music, check with OneMusic Australia
• A flop night can lose money, so keep fees and costs low until you know your audience

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on the venue arrangement, act fees and promotion. These are estimates. A flop night can lose money, so keep fees and costs low until you know your audience.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how often you run shows, ticket prices and audience size. These are estimates, and revenue is not the same as profit once you pay acts and promotion costs.

Check whether the venue's public liability policy covers you or you need your own. Liquor licensing differs by state, so check the venue holds the right licence and who handles responsible service of alcohol. Also check entertainment or capacity conditions and music licensing with OneMusic Australia.