I made my living as a professional ventriloquist for decades, and as a result, I get a lot of people asking for career tips and advice.
Do you want to be a professional ventriloquist too?
Great. But let’s get one thing straight.
Ventriloquism isn’t just about speaking without moving your lips. It’s about entertaining people.
Too many beginners focus on making money and wanting to be famous.
They skip the most important part—learning how to actually entertain an audience.
A career in ventriloquism isn’t built overnight. It takes stage time, trial and error, and a lot of bad shows that teach valuable lessons.
You need to:
✔ Master the craft.
✔ Perform for free (yes, free).
✔ Learn what works (and what doesn’t).
✔ Build your audience.
✔ Create a business.
✔ Charge real money—only when you’re ready.
If you are willing to put in the work, I’ll walk you through the real steps to becoming a professional ventriloquist.
No fluff. No shortcuts. Just what actually works.
Table of Contents
Master the Basics Before Thinking About Money
Before you can build a career, you need a solid foundation.
That means mastering the basics.
Ventriloquism isn’t just about talking without moving your lips. It’s about creating a believable, engaging performance that entertains an audience.
Here’s what you need to focus on first:
Technical Skills
✔ Lip control – If people see your lips move, you lose credibility.
✔ Voice variation – Your puppet should sound like a real, distinct character.
✔ Diction and clarity – If people can’t understand your words, the jokes fall flat.
✔ Breathing techniques – Speaking without moving your lips requires proper breath control.
Performance Skills
✔ Timing – Comedy is all about pauses, reactions, and rhythm.
✔ Character development – Your puppet needs a personality, backstory, and voice.
✔ Audience interaction – A great ventriloquist knows how to engage and adapt to different crowds.
✔ Storytelling – It’s not just about jokes; it’s about crafting an entertaining experience.
Learn from the Pros
- Watch top ventriloquists and study what makes them great.
- Invest in your education – take courses and training from professional ventriloquists.
- Record yourself and review your performances.
- Get feedback from others – and listen to it.
Master these basics first.
Otherwise, you’ll crash and burn when you step in front of a live audience.
Get on Stage – Free Shows Build Experience
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to perform in front of real people.
But here’s a hard truth…
No one will pay you if you don’t have experience.
That’s why free shows are a critical step.
They give you:
✔ Stage time to test material.
✔ A chance to see what works and what flops.
✔ The ability to handle unexpected situations.
Where to Perform for Free
- School events (if you are a student) and daycare centers
- Church events
- Retirement homes
- Community events
- Open mic nights
- Small parties
These aren’t glamorous gigs. In fact, some will be awful.
People don’t value free entertainment. You’ll get talked over, ignored, and treated poorly at times.
But that’s part of the process.
Every bad show teaches you something:
✔ How to grab and hold attention.
✔ What jokes get laughs (and which ones bomb).
✔ How to handle distractions and hecklers.
You must go through this phase.
Most people try to skip it. That’s why they fail.
If you can survive free shows and still love performing, you’re on the right track.
Next step? Start charging.
Low-Paid Gigs – The Next Step Toward Pro Work
Once you’ve done enough free shows to refine your act, it’s time to start charging something.
Not much—just enough to cover expenses.
At this stage, you’re not aiming to make a living yet. You’re still learning.
But charging a small fee does three things:
✔ It makes people respect your time and talent.
✔ It helps you practice handling paid clients.
✔ It pushes you to improve your performance even more.
How Much Should You Charge?
Start small—$50 to $150 per show.
This isn’t about making big money. It’s about gaining experience without working for free forever.
Where to Find These Gigs
- Birthday parties
- Local fairs and festivals
- Libraries
- Scouts and civic groups
- Family gatherings
Some clients will try to lowball you. Don’t undersell yourself too much.
You’re not a volunteer anymore. But at this stage, your goal is to book as many shows as possible—not hold out for high-paying gigs.
The more you perform, the faster you grow.
At this stage you will also learn about handling letters of agreement – which are simple contracts. Paperwork is a part of every show. You want written proof that you will be paid to perform.
Once your act is polished and you can entertain any audience, it’s time to move to the next level—marketing yourself and building a real following.
Start Charging Real Money – When You’re Ready
At this point, you’ve done the work.
- You’ve mastered the basics.
- You’ve performed for free.
- You’ve done low-paying gigs.
- You’ve refined your act through live shows and social media.
Now, it’s time to charge real money.
But when are you ready?
Signs You’re Ready to Raise Your Rates
✔ You can consistently entertain different audiences.
✔ You have solid material that gets laughs and engagement.
✔ You know how to handle tough crowds, hecklers, and distractions.
✔ You have a growing reputation and repeat bookings.
How to Set Your Rates
Start researching what other entertainers charge in your area.
You don’t want to undercut them, and to start, you don’t want to price yourself out of the local market.
Know What Your Business Costs You
First, you need to know how much it actually costs to run your business.
If you don’t, you could end up losing money on gigs without realizing it.
Here’s what to consider:
✔ Travel Expenses – Gas, flights, hotels, meals on the road.
✔ Marketing Costs – Website, business cards, promo materials, ads.
✔ Equipment – Puppets, props, microphones, sound systems.
✔ Costumes & Wardrobe – Stage outfits that fit your brand.
✔ Insurance – Liability insurance for performances.
✔ Maintenance & Repairs – Keeping your puppets and gear in top shape.
✔ Taxes – A chunk of every gig will go to Uncle Sam.
✔ Profit – Don’t forget you’ll want to earn money so you can eat, have a life and save for retirement.
Once you know your costs, you can set prices that actually make sense.
Now, let’s talk numbers.
Typical starting rates:
- Birthday parties – $250-$500
- Corporate events – $500-$5,000+
- Fairs & festivals – Varies, but can go $1,000+ per day
- Cruise ships & theaters – Top ventriloquists make thousands per gig
Don’t undersell yourself. If you charge too little, clients won’t take you seriously.
Once you’re booking paid gigs consistently, treat it like a real business:
✔ Get a simple contract to protect yourself.
✔ Require deposits to secure bookings.
✔ Keep track of your income and expenses.
Charging real money only works if you’re delivering a pro-level show.
If people pay you and don’t feel like they got their money’s worth, your career will stall fast.
Networking, Marketing, and Growing Your Career
You’ve got the skills. You’re getting paid. Now, how do you keep growing? Simple: You market yourself and network like a pro.Build a Strong Online Presence
- A professional website with video clips and testimonials.
- Active social media showcasing your talent.
- A YouTube channel with your best material.
Networking Opens Doors
The entertainment industry is who you know just as much as what you know. ✔ Join business groups and entertainment associations. ✔ Participate in showcases and tradeshows. ✔ Attend magic & comedy conventions (great places to connect). ✔ Reach out to agents and event planners. ✔ Don’t be a diva, make friends networking in the business. The more people who know you exist, the more opportunities will come your way.Keep Your Act Fresh
- Always work on new material.
- Watch other performers (ventriloquists, comedians, magicians).
- Experiment with different audiences to expand your reach.
Final Thoughts
Most people fail because they try to skip steps.
They want to charge big money before they’re good enough.
They avoid free shows because they think they’re “too good” for them.
They don’t put in the time to test, refine, and grow.
If you follow this roadmap, you’ll build a career the right way.
Not overnight. Not with shortcuts.
But by becoming the kind of performer that people WANT to book.
Remember This:
Not every professional entertainer is a celebrity. Most of us are out there entertaining audiences and unknown by the masses.
You don’t need to be famous to be a professional ventriloquist – and that is the best ventriloquist career tip I can provide.
If fame happens, (it is rare but it can…) following the roadmap I’ve laid out will help you make the most of it.
But even if not – you can have an amazing career and get standing ovations for your efforts.
Ready to get started?
Go book your next show.
Wow great advise! Wish I had this when I was starting out. This is very valuable information and I hope that all ventriloquist especially the beginners take it up heart. Well done Tom!
Thanks Chuck!
Brilliant advice and has helped a lot . I’ve se my self a target of having a certain amount of shows , and not rushing into the business , I was getting a bit concerned how long it might take , but now this post has helped me confirm I’m on the right track
Glad it helped!