Every single one of us has either been to a live comedy gig or watched comedy on the telly only to find our stomachs in knots from all the laughter. Something we rarely consider, however, and something so so few of us have dared to do, is put ourselves in the comedian's shoes and have a crack at it. There's a funny one in every group of friends, in every family, and maybe it's you.

Are you brave enough to take your own unique brand of comedy, be it biting sarcasm or self-deprecating musing, to the stage? For those who've been tempted by this idea at one point or another, here we consult craic merchant Fred Cooke who takes us behind the scenes on comedy, sharing insider secrets on what it takes to get yourself on that stage.

What traits are necessary for stand-up?

I know it sounds a bit clichéd, but you really have to enjoy it. If you’re not enjoying it, then you’re missing the point. Comedians can arrive into comedy with the innate desire to want to make people laugh. Then through the years, they can become bitter about the industry and forget the reason why they started comedy in the first place. For me, it’s all about keeping yourself interested in what you’re doing.

Why are the Irish so good at stand-up?

We Irish definitely punch above our weight when it comes to comedy on a global scale. I still find it hard to believe that Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan both grew up in Navan Town. They even had the same English teacher, Richie Ball. Acts like these are superstars on the global comedy circuit.

What can we expect from our first ever stand-up experience?

As a performer, it’s only natural to feel nervous. Nerves show that you care. You would be in trouble if you arrived on the wrong side of confidence, having no nerves at all. You might quickly run out of material as a seven-minute open slot can seem like a long time.

When Comedians start their first few gigs, word can get out among their mates. This results in massive local support from your hometown, workplace or whatever sports club you’re involved in. This will give any budding comedian massive confidence. This is great, but you can’t depend on it. If you keep at it, that initial local support will stop. Then you’re gigging in front of strangers. That’s when you need proper original jokes.

Describe your worst ever stand-up experience?

One night I was at the Kells Swimming Pool Christmas Staff Party in Sharky’s Hotel, Virgina, Co Meath. A comedian walked out just after our meal to tell some jokes. The layout of the stage worked against him as no one could see him. He did terribly. I knew the guy who booked the Comedian. A friend called Martin. He rang me the next day asking if I would replace him for that night. Of course, I said yes.

At the time, I didn’t think Comedians needed material. I was fooled by their craft, thinking they just said the first thing that came into their head. So naturally when Martin asked me to do the gig, I said yes.

At this stage, I had only one gig to my CV. I walked out in Sharky’s hotel the next night, with a suit, and no material. I’d lost the crowd under a minute. I just didn’t have the experience behind me to make them laugh. I thought that randomly giving out about Sally from Coronation Street was enough. I soon realized, it wasn’t.

One of the waitresses gave me a selection of jokes from different Christmas Crackers. That got a better laugh than anything I tried. Disaster!

Looking back now I’m delighted it happened. It was a real wake-up call. I learnt more about the industry of stand up doing that than watching the greats at the top of their game. Sharky’s Hotel has now closed down. I hope it wasn’t because of me.

What does it feel like when a set goes really well?

It’s an incredible feeling. It’s the reason why I do it. When I was in UCD I use to do Lunch Time Comedy Debates. This was just for fun and for female attention. I found it strange yet immensely exciting to have over three hundred people staring at you and laughing after each joke you delivered. That’s when I got the drug. The idea of being able to do this on a regular basis and make money out of it seemed like the perfect lifestyle. So I went for it.

What advice do you have for people embarking on their first stand-up experience, besides 'be funny'?

Set yourself deadlines and enjoy the process. The nature of aspiring comedians who want to start is to book them in for an open mike slot. That’s deadline number 1. Then you need to come up with five to seven minutes of material. That’s deadline number two. This mightn’t seem like that much time, but when you have an audience looking at you in silence, it can feel like an eternity.

After you’ve done your first gig, don’t punch yourself if it didn’t go well. You will have learnt more about yourself as an act, than a thousand books could teach you. 

As I said at the start, enjoy it. It’s all about the audience in front of you, and making them laugh. They don’t care how you got the gig, or how much you’re getting paid. So deliver some escapism with that comical head of yours, that’s only raring to go.

Have the craic with Maltesers and Fred Cooke and tag the person who craics you up the most on Facebook or Twitter to be entered into the daily draw to win one of a host of prizes which include tickets to the Craic Up Comedy Night on June 10th, or the ultimate prize of a trip to the home of comedy the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 5th–29th August 2016! Follow Maltesers on Facebook here and Twitter here.