The trepidation of putting on your own show is a mixture of nerve-wracking and thrilling. Whether you are planning to stage a play, perform stand-up comedy, sing, or any other form of show, you will want it to be as professional as possible. Even if you have very few resources or not much funding, there are ways to make your performance—whatever it might be—as slick and impressive as a high-end version. Here are a few ways you can achieve a more professional outcome when putting on your show.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Preparation is one of the most important aspects of being able to perfect each element of a show—from the location to the costumes to the marketing. If you rush this step, you will most likely put on a show that is clearly amateur since you won’t have had time to properly rehearse or streamline the additional elements of the performance.

If you have hired a venue, you will want to make sure that you ask for time to practice before the main show. If you are performing a set at a live event such as an open-mic night or comedy line-up, do your best to practice in a similar-sized space before the big day. This will help you to feel more natural when the time comes.

Where Possible, Invest in Quality

If you are an amateur performer you will know how hard it is to afford all the trappings of a professional show. Arranging every aspect such as lighting, sound, costumes, support—and everything else—can quickly add up the price. However, learning when you should invest in quality is a useful skill. Sometimes these touches help to elevate the rest of your show, such as by using theatrical makeup supplies to make your play’s characters more convincing. If you have had to save money in some areas, find others to invest in. This will stop your show from appearing too amateur.

Spread the Word

Just because a show isn’t being performed by professionals doesn’t mean that it lacks merit. You might be at the beginning of a long and successful career in your field and all you need is an audience to help you get started. This means making sure that people know you are performing and attracting them to the event. If this is through an open-mic event, invite people you know to join the crowd. If it’s a performance in a venue you have hired, it might be worth getting leaflets to direct people to your show at the right time and place. Use social media to your advantage and build up to the big day with a variety of posts.

Avoid Perfectionism

While it is understandable that you want your performance to go well, don’t beat yourself up over small imperfections. See your performance as a stepping stone rather than a final goal. This way, you can enjoy it in the moment and improve on it for the future.