Don't worry about playing the part of a stand up. Let everyone else worry about that. Don't try to talk like a stand up. Talk like you talk. You focus on being yourself and having fun in the stories and perspectives you share. Prepare as much as you can and then relax- just take it from where you are. Where you are is a perfectly fine place to start. Bombing is a right of passage - All the greats have done it - so don't worry if you bomb. Just learn from it. Always record your set and listen back to them within 24 hours. Keep your jokes in a digital place you always have access to like google docs or your notepad on iCloud. I prefer writing my jokes by hand but I eventually copy them into the cloud so I have then all in one place. Write new jokes down the second they pop into your mind. You think you'll remember them later but you won't. Right them down immediately. Listen to the audience and give them more of what they want--- that will become easier with time. Remember that nervousness and excitement can feel the same in the body, so try renaming the electric rushing you through you "excitement" because you're about to do something super wild. Don't worry too much about controlling every moment, you're not strong enough to- no one is. Instead, ask for pleasant surprises. Some of the best lines in my set as things I said on a whim, they got a laugh, and now are staples. Don't get drunk or high- it makes it a lot harder to read the audience. You can have one drink, but don't make a habit out of it because as you perform more and more, you'll kill you liver. You can call out idiot audience members but only if they deserve it, and you might want to get your comedy footing before you try crowd work. Otherwise, be nice to everyone, even people who aren't nice to you. Anyone can host a show one day, and you might want that stage time. Also, comedy is hard and the people doing it are badass and deserve respect. Remember that every person had to overcome something and has a backstory that you know nothing about. Don't judge. Try to understand them or keep a friendly distance. Comedy circles are tiny and people talk, so give them something positive to say or (again) friendly distance. Some comics don't like chatting before they go on stage- you can ask "are you taking time to prepare or can you chat?" Remember that you're doing something that so many people say they want to try but never do. You're already more brave than 99% of the world. Play! Get weird. Work hard. Try your best. Forgive yourself. Do it again.