Today’s episode is in response to the extreme number of cancellations of events due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus Outbreak. We will approach it from three angles. First, let’s take a brief moment and acknowledge how lucky we are to be performers in the first place. Second, let’s remember the others affected in our industry. And third, how can you add language to your contract to affect cancellations in the future. We will cover a lot in the episode, including: <ul> <li>Getting paid for expressing your views</li> <li>Uniting people in tough times</li> <li>Accepting or declining work as you see fit</li> <li>Being rewarded and compensated for your hustle and drive</li> <li>Creating work anywhere, anytime</li> <li>Rik’s last few gigs and how he tried to lighten the mood</li> <li>Traveling through busy airports during the outbreak</li> <li>Shout out to Cruise Ship performers including Kristin Key</li> <li><a href="https://www.laughfestgr.org/">Gilda’s LaughFest</a> cancellations and fast thinking ideas</li> <li>Covid-19 Federal Aid Package for Events Industry</li> <li>Having a contract</li> <li>Requesting deposits</li> <li>Adjusting your cancellation policies</li> </ul> And a whole lot more!  If you are already a PATREON supporter at ANY level, you can log into the Patreon news feed and grab both a simple CONTRACT template, as well as update language for your cancellation policies. If you would like to receive a .pdf describing the cancellation policies so you can add it to your contract and you are not already a member of the free INSIDER TIP SHEET newsletter list, you can request joining by sending an email to <a href= "mailto:SchoolOflaughs@gmail.com">SchoolOflaughs@gmail.com</a> . Please put “Cancellation Policy” in the subject heading. I will add you to the newsletter list and you will be able to grab the .pdf from the newsletter. Let me know where you are based, how long you’ve been performing and what level you are at in the game. And if you can, let me know how you found out about the podcast. It will help me design new episodes. Special thanks to Patreon Sponsor RAY PRICE who has been with us since the very beginning. And, if you enjoyed the TRUMP bumpers in the episode go follow <a href="https://twitter.com/EdWiley">@EdWiley on TWITTER</a> or visit <a href="http://edwileycomedy.com/">EdWileyComedy.com</a>

Today’s episode is in response to the extreme number of cancellations of events due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus Outbreak. We will approach it from three angles. First, let’s take a brief moment and acknowledge how lucky we are to be performers in the first place. Second, let’s remember the others affected in our industry. And third, how can you add language to your contract to affect cancellations in the future. We will cover a lot in the episode, including: Getting paid for expressing your views Uniting people in tough times Accepting or declining work as you see fit Being rewarded and compensated for your hustle and drive Creating work anywhere, anytime Rik’s last few gigs and how he tried to lighten the mood Traveling through busy airports during the outbreak Shout out to Cruise Ship performers including Kristin Key Gilda’s LaughFest cancellations and fast thinking ideas Covid-19 Federal Aid Package for Events Industry Having a contract Requesting deposits Adjusting your cancellation policies And a whole lot more!  If you are already a PATREON supporter at ANY level, you can log into the Patreon news feed and grab both a simple CONTRACT template, as well as update language for your cancellation policies. If you would like to receive a .pdf describing the cancellation policies so you can add it to your contract and you are not already a member of the free INSIDER TIP SHEET newsletter list, you can request joining by sending an email to SchoolOflaughs@gmail.com . Please put “Cancellation Policy” in the subject heading. I will add you to the newsletter list and you will be able to grab the .pdf from the newsletter. Let me know where you are based, how long you’ve been performing and what level you are at in the game. And if you can, let me know how you found out about the podcast. It will help me design new episodes. Special thanks to Patreon Sponsor RAY PRICE who has been with us since the very beginning. And, if you enjoyed the TRUMP bumpers in the episode go follow @EdWiley on TWITTER or visit EdWileyComedy.com

School Of Laughs

COVID, COMEDY & CONTRACTS [EP. 212]

Victoria Jackson joins us today on the School of Laugh Podcast. Victoria Jackson may be best known for her 6-yr stint on Saturday Night Live. She was a regular cast member on SNL from 1986-1992. But even before that she was making people laugh. She became a TV star without her family even owning a TV when she was young. But when she was just 19 she left home and traveled to L.A. to take a shot at showbiz. She made the transition from handstands to Hollywood and captured the curiosity of millions every Saturday night. We get into all kinds of discussions today and I learn a lot, including: <h2>Victoria Jackson Show Notes</h2> <ul> <li>Not having a TV set when she was kid</li> <li>How a <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Crawford">Rifleman’s son</a> got her to move to L.A.</li> <li>Marrying a fire eater</li> <li>What Tonight Show booker <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1051643/">Jim McCawley</a> said to her before her first appearance</li> <li>Her 20 appearances on the Tonight Show</li> <li>The big difference between <a href= "https://johnnycarson.com/">Johnny Carson</a> and <a href= "https://duckduckgo.com/?q=David+Letterman&t=osx">David Letterman</a></li> <li>What aspect <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorne_Michaels">Lorne Michaels</a> said she needed more work on</li> <li>Her auditions for SNL</li> <li>Why she is taking film classes</li> <li>Where she feels she belongs in the arts</li> <li>How she got so good at those handstands</li> <li>Why she wasn’t asked back to the Tonight Show</li> <li>What brought her to Nashville</li> <li>Victoria Jackson’s <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/new-comedian-questions-ep-103/">advice to new comics</a></li> </ul> <div>And so much more!</div> <div> </div> To learn more about Victoria Jackson go to ... you guessed it - VictoriaJackson.com

Victoria Jackson joins us today on the School of Laugh Podcast. Victoria Jackson may be best known for her 6-yr stint on Saturday Night Live. She was a regular cast member on SNL from 1986-1992. But even before that she was making people laugh. She became a TV star without her family even owning a TV when she was young. But when she was just 19 she left home and traveled to L.A. to take a shot at showbiz. She made the transition from handstands to Hollywood and captured the curiosity of millions every Saturday night. We get into all kinds of discussions today and I learn a lot, including: Victoria Jackson Show Notes Not having a TV set when she was kid How a Rifleman’s son got her to move to L.A. Marrying a fire eater What Tonight Show booker Jim McCawley said to her before her first appearance Her 20 appearances on the Tonight Show The big difference between Johnny Carson and David Letterman What aspect Lorne Michaels said she needed more work on Her auditions for SNL Why she is taking film classes Where she feels she belongs in the arts How she got so good at those handstands Why she wasn’t asked back to the Tonight Show What brought her to Nashville Victoria Jackson’s advice to new comics And so much more!   To learn more about Victoria Jackson go to ... you guessed it - VictoriaJackson.com

VICTORIA JACKSON HANDSTANDS TO HOLLYWOOD [EP. 211]

Doc Kennedy is a stand-up comedian and podcast producer based out of <a href="https://www.visitmusiccity.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nashville.</a> Winner of the 2019 Lea Ciastko Spirit of Comedy Award, Doc is also the host of Free to Laugh: Comedy vs Political Correctness. Originally from <a href="https://mt.gov/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Montana</a> and spending years near <a href="https://visitseattle.org/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seattle,</a> Doc’s unique take on life brings laughs to people of all ages across the country performing in churches, clubs, corporate venues as well as entertaining our troops. <h2>DOC KENNEDY SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>Editing the <a href="https://www.schooloflaughs.com/podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">School of Laughs podcast</a>.</li> <li>Connecting through <a href= "https://schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Club 52 Patreon hangout</a>.</li> <li>How the Nashville open mic scene used to look.</li> <li>Using stand-up comedy to get into acting.</li> <li>Working as a live production director.</li> <li>Using clips from church promos for <a href= "https://youtu.be/Q2D8oFneQsM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Doc's acting reel</a>.</li> <li>The Seattle comedy scene.</li> <li>Being right of center in a left-leaning environment.</li> <li>Cancel culture.</li> <li><a href="http://freetolaugh.us/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Doc's podcast Free to Laugh</a>.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT DOC KENNEDY</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/DocKennedyLive/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.facebook.com/DocKennedyLive/</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBswFD4wHq1NkRBtxckuYLg/" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBswFD4wHq1NkRBtxckuYLg/</a> VIEW ON TWITTER:  <a href= "https://twitter.com/DocKennedyLive" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/DocKennedyLive</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOHN HILL and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>.  Also thanks to TIM KETCHERSID for his ITunes review. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Doc Kennedy is a stand-up comedian and podcast producer based out of Nashville. Winner of the 2019 Lea Ciastko Spirit of Comedy Award, Doc is also the host of Free to Laugh: Comedy vs Political Correctness. Originally from Montana and spending years near Seattle, Doc’s unique take on life brings laughs to people of all ages across the country performing in churches, clubs, corporate venues as well as entertaining our troops. DOC KENNEDY SHOW NOTES Editing the School of Laughs podcast. Connecting through Club 52 Patreon hangout. How the Nashville open mic scene used to look. Using stand-up comedy to get into acting. Working as a live production director. Using clips from church promos for Doc's acting reel. The Seattle comedy scene. Being right of center in a left-leaning environment. Cancel culture. Doc's podcast Free to Laugh. And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT DOC KENNEDY FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DocKennedyLive/ WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBswFD4wHq1NkRBtxckuYLg/ VIEW ON TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/DocKennedyLive SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOHN HILL and CLUB 52.  Also thanks to TIM KETCHERSID for his ITunes review. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

DOC KENNEDY - FREE TO LAUGH [EP. 210]

In this episode Doc Kennedy and I talk about <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Chappelle" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Dave Chappelle</a> receiving the <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Prize_for_American_Humor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mark Twain Prize</a> at the <a href="https://www.kennedy-center.org/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Kennedy Center</a>.  We break down Dave's speech and what we comedians can take from it. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwyeYmXjD1A" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Watch the 8 minute speech here!</a> <h2>DAVE CHAPPELLE MARK TWAIN AWARD SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>What the venue was like.</li> <li>How stand-up comedy is unique to America.</li> <li>Every opinion has a comedian in its corner.</li> <li>Appreciating all comedians, even when their views are offensive.</li> <li>It took me years to learn how to play like myself. - <a href= "https://www.milesdavis.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Miles Davis</a></li> <li>Dave's appreciation of <a href="https://www.nealbrennan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Neal Brennan</a>.</li> <li>What Dave's mom did in helping him grow as a comedian.</li> <li>What a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griot" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Griot</a> is and their value to humanity.</li> <li>Sometimes you have to be a lion to be the lamb you really are. - Dave's mom</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter GLEN DENEHIE and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

In this episode Doc Kennedy and I talk about Dave Chappelle receiving the Mark Twain Prize at the Kennedy Center.  We break down Dave's speech and what we comedians can take from it. Watch the 8 minute speech here! DAVE CHAPPELLE MARK TWAIN AWARD SHOW NOTES What the venue was like. How stand-up comedy is unique to America. Every opinion has a comedian in its corner. Appreciating all comedians, even when their views are offensive. It took me years to learn how to play like myself. - Miles Davis Dave's appreciation of Neal Brennan. What Dave's mom did in helping him grow as a comedian. What a Griot is and their value to humanity. Sometimes you have to be a lion to be the lamb you really are. - Dave's mom And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter GLEN DENEHIE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

DAVE CHAPPELLE MARK TWAIN PRIZE [EP. 209]

Jeremy Nunes has appeared in <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0452594/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Break-Up</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_Comic_Standing" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Last Comic Standing</a>, two <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PBS" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">PBS</a> mini-series, Comcast on Demand, a <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">National Geographic</a> Special and heard on <a href="http://www.espn.com/espnradio/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">ESPN Radio</a>.  Jeremy's clean and witty comedy show has been in demand for 18 years, mainly because of his clever observations, unique storytelling style and ability to improvise with his audience. <h2>JEREMY NUNES SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li> Trying to be <a href= "https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000394/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Chris Farley</a>.</li> <li> Why <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0830198/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ryan Stiles</a> inspired Jeremy to try improv comedy.</li> <li> Similarities between being a Mayor and being a comedian.</li> <li> Valuable advice from <a href="http://dobiemaxwell.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dobie Maxwell</a>.</li> <li> Taking classes at <a href="https://www.secondcity.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Second City</a>.</li> <li> Tips for promoting a show.</li> <li> Value of hiring a videographer.</li> <li> Wearing make-up for video.</li> <li> Distributing a comedy special.</li> <li> Taking veteran comedian advice.</li> <li> Tips for getting time off from a day job.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT JEREMY NUNES</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/frontporchcomedy" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/frontporchcomedy</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/frontporchcomedy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/user/frontporchcomedy</a> VIEW ON TWITTER:  <a href="https://twitter.com/jeremynunes" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/jeremynunes</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter EDWARD REUBEN and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Jeremy Nunes has appeared in The Break-Up, Last Comic Standing, two PBS mini-series, Comcast on Demand, a National Geographic Special and heard on ESPN Radio.  Jeremy's clean and witty comedy show has been in demand for 18 years, mainly because of his clever observations, unique storytelling style and ability to improvise with his audience. JEREMY NUNES SHOW NOTES  Trying to be Chris Farley.  Why Ryan Stiles inspired Jeremy to try improv comedy.  Similarities between being a Mayor and being a comedian.  Valuable advice from Dobie Maxwell.  Taking classes at Second City.  Tips for promoting a show.  Value of hiring a videographer.  Wearing make-up for video.  Distributing a comedy special.  Taking veteran comedian advice.  Tips for getting time off from a day job. And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT JEREMY NUNES FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/frontporchcomedy WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/frontporchcomedy VIEW ON TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/jeremynunes SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter EDWARD REUBEN and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

JEREMY NUNES – DON’T FORGET THE MAKE UP [EP. 208]

It is time for the 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals TRACKER episode. This show is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable comedy goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself <a title= "012 ASK THIS, NOT THIS. BETTER (NOT BITTER) QUESTIONS (podcast)" href= "http://www.schooloflaughs.com/012-ask-better-bitter-questions-podcast/"> immersed in bitterness</a> and resent everyone else's success. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual Stand-Up Comedy goals. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing - how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing - are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning - what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing - how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET. Visit Episode 207 show notes page at <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a>. You can drag the images off the page and print.

It is time for the 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals TRACKER episode. This show is a nerdy, comprehensive deep dive into measurable comedy goals for sand-up comedians. Fame and fortune are payoffs, but not necessarily great goals. And, goals in and of themselves won't make you funnier than anyone else. But they should make you funnier than you are now if you set them correctly. Without them, you may find yourself immersed in bitterness and resent everyone else's success. "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."  - Henry David Thoreau In this episode, we talk about specific daily, weekly, monthly and annual Stand-Up Comedy goals. It is the behind the scenes planning that no performer admits to doing (and many don't). But you aspire to be better than you are now, so you are thinking strategically about the year ahead. Congratulations! We cover four areas of goals in this 2020 Stand-Up Comedy Goals Podcast episode. Specifically: Writing - how much time are you giving yourself to be creative and develop material? Performing - are you getting out of the house and getting on stage enough to see progress? Earning - what is your income from comedy and related skills? Investing - how much are spending to get your name out there so people can find you? GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET. Visit Episode 207 show notes page at www.SchoolOfLaughs.com. You can drag the images off the page and print.   

COMEDY GOALS TRACKER [EP. 207]

Jane Atkinson is founder of <a href="https://wealthyspeakerschool.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">The Wealthy Speaker School</a>, which provides online courses, group coaching and live events for all levels of speakers, helping people look at speaking as a business.  Jane has over 30 years experience in the speaking business, has authored four books and is host of <a href= "https://www.speakerlauncher.com/category/podcasts/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Wealthy Speaker Podcast</a>. <h2>JANE ATKINSON SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>If you don't get YOUR fee you haven't shown them enough value.</li> <li>The discovery call.</li> <li>Planning strategically what your outreach is going to be.</li> <li>Making 50 connections, a month or 50 connections a week depending on how aggressive you're going to be.</li> <li>Avoiding the spray and pray approach.</li> <li>You can't you can't make big decisions playing small.</li> <li>Do a lot of homework on the audience.</li> <li>Being someone who doesn't listen with their mouth.</li> <li>What changed as a result of our work together.</li> <li>Knowing what's working, what's needs fixing.</li> <li>Do I need a team or somebody to hire to get in there?</li> <li>Think about your business as a whole, rather than that day to day working in the business.</li> <li>Is your website clear on the value that you're bringing to the table?</li> <li>Is your video is being effective in getting you the gig every time?</li> <li>How are you reaching out to people?</li> <li>What target markets are you approaching?</li> <li>Using virtual assistants such as <a href= "https://bizeasesupport.com/tag/virtual-assistance/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Biz Ease</a>.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT JANE ATKINSON</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher</a> WATCH ON TWITTER: <a href="https://twitter.com/janeatkinson" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://twitter.com/janeatkinson</a> VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter CHRIS RUPPE and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Jane Atkinson is founder of The Wealthy Speaker School, which provides online courses, group coaching and live events for all levels of speakers, helping people look at speaking as a business.  Jane has over 30 years experience in the speaking business, has authored four books and is host of The Wealthy Speaker Podcast. JANE ATKINSON SHOW NOTES If you don't get YOUR fee you haven't shown them enough value. The discovery call. Planning strategically what your outreach is going to be. Making 50 connections, a month or 50 connections a week depending on how aggressive you're going to be. Avoiding the spray and pray approach. You can't you can't make big decisions playing small. Do a lot of homework on the audience. Being someone who doesn't listen with their mouth. What changed as a result of our work together. Knowing what's working, what's needs fixing. Do I need a team or somebody to hire to get in there? Think about your business as a whole, rather than that day to day working in the business. Is your website clear on the value that you're bringing to the table? Is your video is being effective in getting you the gig every time? How are you reaching out to people? What target markets are you approaching? Using virtual assistants such as Biz Ease. And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT JANE ATKINSON FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Jane.Speaker.Launcher WATCH ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/janeatkinson VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/janeatkinson1/ SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter CHRIS RUPPE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

BE A WEALTHY SPEAKER OR COMEDIAN: JANE ATKINSON [EP. 206]

Today is an “after school special” where I talk with a handful of students and tackle the biggest questions on their minds! <h2>QUESTIONS & TOPICS INCLUDE</h2> <ul> <li>What do you do when you bomb?</li> <li>Finding comedians to hang with.</li> <li>It's just an experiment every single time.</li> <li>Expect there to be silence.</li> <li>Beginning comedy with an already stable lifestyle.</li> <li>Is it absolutely necessary to go all in with no safety net?</li> <li>There's no shortcut around growing through stage time.</li> <li>Finding parts in your world that are the least stable to help you create comedy.</li> <li>Riches are in the niches.</li> <li><a href="https://www.eddiebcomedy.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Comedian Eddie B</a>. (teaching niche)</li> <li>Balance between you and your spouse.</li> <li><a href= "http://traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/013_Work_-_Life_Balance.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Occasionally your comedy career has to go way off balance</a>.</li> <li><a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/start-comedy-show-new-comics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Best way to guarantee stage time is starting your own open mic</a>.</li> <li><a href= "https://chtbl.com/track/3E755/traffic.libsyn.com/schooloflaughs/MARK_KLEIN_-_ITS_WHAT_YOU_DONT_SAY_EP._166.mp3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Professional Speaker Mark Klein</a>.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JUDY BARBE and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Today is an “after school special” where I talk with a handful of students and tackle the biggest questions on their minds! QUESTIONS & TOPICS INCLUDE What do you do when you bomb? Finding comedians to hang with. It's just an experiment every single time. Expect there to be silence. Beginning comedy with an already stable lifestyle. Is it absolutely necessary to go all in with no safety net? There's no shortcut around growing through stage time. Finding parts in your world that are the least stable to help you create comedy. Riches are in the niches. Comedian Eddie B. (teaching niche) Balance between you and your spouse. Occasionally your comedy career has to go way off balance. Best way to guarantee stage time is starting your own open mic. Professional Speaker Mark Klein. And a whole lot more! SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JUDY BARBE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

BOMBING, BALANCING and BEYOND [EP. 205]

Eric Thompson has been delighting and entertaining audiences since the early 1980’s with his unique style of comedy, magic, and illusions. Eric is an accomplished comedic magician, a veteran of hundreds of venues including comedy clubs, theaters, college campuses and corporate events.  Outside his career, Eric has served on several boards for philanthropic, civic, business, and professional organizations over the years in his efforts to make his community and the region surrounding his home and business a better place to live, work, and play. <h2>ERIC THOMPSON SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>The Ohio comedy scene in the 1980's</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Weiner" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Marc Weiner</a></li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Paulsen" target= "_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Comedian Pat Paulsen</a></li> <li>Lingerie models and comedy show - a good mix?</li> <li>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Carson" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Johnny Carson</a> Channel on SiriusXM</li> <li><a href="https://brucebaum.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">Comedian Bruce Baum</a></li> <li>Performing for chickens</li> <li>Using comedy to impact lives around the world</li> <li><a href= "https://www.ericthompsonmagic.com/million-miles-and-smiles.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Million Miles, Million Smiles</a></li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIC THOMPSON</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/Eric-Thompson-Magic" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/Eric-Thompson-Magic</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/rugmansr" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/user/rugmansr</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter MAX WINFREY and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Eric Thompson has been delighting and entertaining audiences since the early 1980’s with his unique style of comedy, magic, and illusions. Eric is an accomplished comedic magician, a veteran of hundreds of venues including comedy clubs, theaters, college campuses and corporate events.  Outside his career, Eric has served on several boards for philanthropic, civic, business, and professional organizations over the years in his efforts to make his community and the region surrounding his home and business a better place to live, work, and play. ERIC THOMPSON SHOW NOTES The Ohio comedy scene in the 1980's Marc Weiner Comedian Pat Paulsen Lingerie models and comedy show - a good mix? The Johnny Carson Channel on SiriusXM Comedian Bruce Baum Performing for chickens Using comedy to impact lives around the world Million Miles, Million Smiles And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT ERIC THOMPSON FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Eric-Thompson-Magic WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/rugmansr SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter MAX WINFREY and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

ERIC THOMPSON - LIVE STOCK, LAUGHS and LINGERIE [EP. 204]

Brad Montgomery teaches people how to use happiness to boost productivity, creativity, innovation & profits. He turns typical meetings into transformational events using the power of happiness. Oh, and he’s pretty funny. Brad has transformed audiences in all 50 states and on four continents. His clients include <a href= "https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/">Microsoft</a>, <a href= "https://www.verizonwireless.com/">Verizon</a>, the <a href= "https://www.fbi.gov/">FBI</a>, the <a href= "https://www.cia.gov/">CIA</a>, and the <a href= "https://www.irs.gov/">IRS</a> (where he withheld 30% of his best strategies.) Brad specializes in using humor, interactivity, sound, music and visuals to ignite audiences so that they can use happiness as a tool to improve their lives and their jobs. <h2>BRAD MONTGOMERY SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>Not the typical comedian childhood</li> <li>Starting magic in junior high</li> <li>Performing at renaissance fairs</li> <li>Doing 140 shows in just 3 months</li> <li>Changing the temperature of the room</li> <li>The advantage of being a <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keynote">keynote speaker</a></li> <li>Helping people think in different ways</li> <li>Using coaches to get better at your craft</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAD MONTGOMERY</h3> Website: <a href="https://www.bradmontgomery.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.bradmontgomery.com</a> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/bradlaughs">https://www.facebook.com/bradlaughs</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/BradMontgomery1">https://www.youtube.com/user/BradMontgomery1</a> VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/bradmontgomerylive/">https://www.instagram.com/bradmontgomerylive/</a> FOLLOW ON TWITTER: <a href= "https://twitter.com/bradmontgomery">https://twitter.com/bradmontgomery</a> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOHN P. SMITH and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Brad Montgomery teaches people how to use happiness to boost productivity, creativity, innovation & profits. He turns typical meetings into transformational events using the power of happiness. Oh, and he’s pretty funny. Brad has transformed audiences in all 50 states and on four continents. His clients include Microsoft, Verizon, the FBI, the CIA, and the IRS (where he withheld 30% of his best strategies.) Brad specializes in using humor, interactivity, sound, music and visuals to ignite audiences so that they can use happiness as a tool to improve their lives and their jobs. BRAD MONTGOMERY SHOW NOTES Not the typical comedian childhood Starting magic in junior high Performing at renaissance fairs Doing 140 shows in just 3 months Changing the temperature of the room The advantage of being a keynote speaker Helping people think in different ways Using coaches to get better at your craft And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT BRAD MONTGOMERY Website: https://www.bradmontgomery.com FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bradlaughs WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/BradMontgomery1 VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bradmontgomerylive/ FOLLOW ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/bradmontgomery SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter JOHN P. SMITH and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

BRAD MONTGOMERY - CHANGING THE TEMPERATURE [EP. 203]

Ric Walker is a performer, teacher, writer and director. As an actor he has appeared in numerous plays, independent films and television. He has worked as a corporate spokesman for companies such as Eli Lilly, Computer Associates and Oracle. He has improvised with and been a member of comedy troupes The Improvised Shakespeare Company, <a href= "https://www.cszchicago.com/">Comedy Sportz Chicago</a>, <a href= "https://www.secondcity.com/">The Second City</a> and MCTD (Midwest Comedy Tool & Die). He is a member Emeritus of Second Story (Serendipity Theater Collective). Ric has designed and facilitated workshops on improvisation, public speaking and communications for corporations and organizations such as <a href= "https://us.coca-cola.com/">Coke</a>, <a href= "https://www.pepsi.com/en-us/">Pepsi</a>, <a href= "https://www.starbucks.com/">Starbucks</a> and Northwestern University Law School. Ric is currently a Professor at Columbia College Chicago in the nation’s first BA in Comedy Writing and Performance. <h2>RIC WALKER SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li>Teaching comedy at Columbia University</li> <li>Each semester culminates in a mini sketch show</li> <li>Around 225 students. A popular Major</li> <li>Is this how you want to represent yourself?</li> <li>Are you saying this because you think it's a truth</li> <li>Your job as the performer is to illuminate something for the audience and show them some new way of looking at it</li> <li>Every day is an experiment</li> <li>It's not about trying to do it perfect the first time</li> <li>Give yourself permission to say whatever</li> <li>Creating brave spaces</li> <li>Is your premise clear?</li> <li>Does your premise create a target assumption?</li> <li>Is there a simple way that you are changing that story with that punch line?</li> <li>Is the language sharp?</li> <li>Six filters to test your joke structure</li> <li>The ideal student</li> <li>It's inexplicable how some people break and some people don't</li> </ul> SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DONNA LEWIS and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Ric Walker is a performer, teacher, writer and director. As an actor he has appeared in numerous plays, independent films and television. He has worked as a corporate spokesman for companies such as Eli Lilly, Computer Associates and Oracle. He has improvised with and been a member of comedy troupes The Improvised Shakespeare Company, Comedy Sportz Chicago, The Second City and MCTD (Midwest Comedy Tool & Die). He is a member Emeritus of Second Story (Serendipity Theater Collective). Ric has designed and facilitated workshops on improvisation, public speaking and communications for corporations and organizations such as Coke, Pepsi, Starbucks and Northwestern University Law School. Ric is currently a Professor at Columbia College Chicago in the nation’s first BA in Comedy Writing and Performance. RIC WALKER SHOW NOTES Teaching comedy at Columbia University Each semester culminates in a mini sketch show Around 225 students. A popular Major Is this how you want to represent yourself? Are you saying this because you think it's a truth Your job as the performer is to illuminate something for the audience and show them some new way of looking at it Every day is an experiment It's not about trying to do it perfect the first time Give yourself permission to say whatever Creating brave spaces Is your premise clear? Does your premise create a target assumption? Is there a simple way that you are changing that story with that punch line? Is the language sharp? Six filters to test your joke structure The ideal student It's inexplicable how some people break and some people don't SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DONNA LEWIS and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

RIC WALKER - A COLLEGE DEGREE IN COMEDY? [EP. 202]

Starting his career in <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco">San Francisco</a>, Tommy Drake had his first paid gig in 1990 and hasn't looked back!  Tommy has performed 400 shows a year over the last 25 years! <h2>TOMMY DRAKE SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li> The $100 million gig</li> <li> Why killing every night doesn’t teach you anything</li> <li> Trying something new every show</li> <li> Why headliners lose traction</li> <li> Preparing for <a href="https://www.drybarcomedy.com/">Dry Bar</a> taping (step by step)</li> <li> Why exceptional talent can be a curse</li> <li> Opening 125 shows on tour for <a href= "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher">Cher</a></li> <li> Working with <a href="https://www.carnival.com/">Carnival Cruise</a></li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT TOMMY DRAKE</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/tommydrakecomedy">https://www.facebook.com/StuntComedian/</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHqA3GjxiqOLRGX1XrwHtgg">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHqA3GjxiqOLRGX1XrwHtgg</a>   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter BO SHUSTER, RAY PRICE and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Starting his career in San Francisco, Tommy Drake had his first paid gig in 1990 and hasn't looked back!  Tommy has performed 400 shows a year over the last 25 years! TOMMY DRAKE SHOW NOTES  The $100 million gig  Why killing every night doesn’t teach you anything  Trying something new every show  Why headliners lose traction  Preparing for Dry Bar taping (step by step)  Why exceptional talent can be a curse  Opening 125 shows on tour for Cher  Working with Carnival Cruise And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT TOMMY DRAKE FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/StuntComedian/ WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHqA3GjxiqOLRGX1XrwHtgg   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter BO SHUSTER, RAY PRICE and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

TOMMY DRAKE - 400 SHOWS A YEAR

Welcome to the 200th episode of the School of Laughs podcast! What an amazing journey this had been. Two hundred? Yes indeed. We made it. So what have we learned two hundred episodes in? A lot. And in this episode we cover … <ul> <li>Former School Of Laughs Student Success</li> <li>Comedy That Heals, Helps And Makes Whole</li> <li>Late Night Tv Comedians</li> <li>Dry Bar Comedy</li> <li>Insight From Industry Agents And Managers</li> <li>College Market</li> <li>Cruise Gigs</li> <li>Corporate Gigs</li> <li>Making And Selling Merch</li> <li>Thank You Club 52!!!</li> <li>The Lessons I’ve Learned</li> <li>You Have To Sacrifice</li> <li>Get Clear With Your Goal And Your “Why”</li> <li>New Class Offering For Speakers, CEO’s, Content Creators</li> </ul> What is on the horizon for the School of Laughs? In the first week of January 2020 I will be offering a brand new day and a half workshop for speakers and content creators who want to add confidence and comedy to their programs. This will be only for those who have an hour plus speech, training program, keynote or weekly digital offering. Stand-ups will definitely benefit from this as well. But the focus will be on helping you add comedy to specific parts of your presentation. We will meet in Nashville and more details will be coming soon. But I am extremely excited about the new program which I’ve designed from the ground up just for this interactive workshop. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, send an email to <a href="mailto:SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com">SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put "Master Laughter Class" in the subject line. September 21st, 2019 I will be running the Business of Comedy Class in Nashville from 12:30-3:30 PM. Investment is $99. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, send an email to <a href= "mailto:SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com">SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com</a> and put Business Class in the subject line. I’ll send more information your way.   Rik Roberts <a href="http://www.rikroberts.com/">www.RikRoberts.com</a> <a href= "http://www.schooloflaughs.com/">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com</a>

  Welcome to the 200th episode of the School of Laughs podcast! What an amazing journey this had been. Two hundred? Yes indeed. We made it. So what have we learned two hundred episodes in? A lot. And in this episode we cover … Former School Of Laughs Student Success Comedy That Heals, Helps And Makes Whole Late Night Tv Comedians Dry Bar Comedy Insight From Industry Agents And Managers College Market Cruise Gigs Corporate Gigs Making And Selling Merch Thank You Club 52!!! The Lessons I’ve Learned You Have To Sacrifice Get Clear With Your Goal And Your “Why” New Class Offering For Speakers, CEO’s, Content Creators What is on the horizon for the School of Laughs? In the first week of January 2020 I will be offering a brand new day and a half workshop for speakers and content creators who want to add confidence and comedy to their programs. This will be only for those who have an hour plus speech, training program, keynote or weekly digital offering. Stand-ups will definitely benefit from this as well. But the focus will be on helping you add comedy to specific parts of your presentation. We will meet in Nashville and more details will be coming soon. But I am extremely excited about the new program which I’ve designed from the ground up just for this interactive workshop. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, send an email to SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put "Master Laughter Class" in the subject line. September 21st, 2019 I will be running the Business of Comedy Class in Nashville from 12:30-3:30 PM. Investment is $99. If that sounds like something you would be interested in, send an email to SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put Business Class in the subject line. I’ll send more information your way.   Rik Roberts www.RikRoberts.com www.SchoolOfLaughs.com  

SCHOOL OF LAUGHS PODCAST LESSONS LEARNED [EP. 200]

Live from the <a href= "http://www.cleancomedychallenge.com/">Clean Comedy Challenge</a> in <a href="https://www.nashville.gov/">Nashville, TN</a>, Rik sits down with Larry Weaver.  Larry is a stand-up comedian as well as a professional speaker and emcee.  He is also owner/CEO of <a href="http://www.trustedspeakers.com/">Trusted Speakers</a>, an entertainment agency based in <a href= "https://www.nc.gov/">North Carolina</a>. <h2>LARRY WEAVER SHOW NOTES</h2> As usual, we cover a lot of ground on this episode. A few highlights include: <ul> <li>Larry shares his experience of his first showcase being in Boston</li> <li>How everything learned in business school he applied to comedy</li> <li>The different videos that you need</li> <li>Difference between Booker and Agents</li> <li>What Larry looks for in potential clients</li> </ul> And a whole lot more! <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT LARRY WEAVER</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/corporate.entertainment/">https://www.facebook.com/corporate.entertainment/</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/user/lwentertainment">https://www.youtube.com/user/lwentertainment</a> VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/lweavernc/">https://www.instagram.com/lweavernc/</a>   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter Jose Manek and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. <div class="wpb_text_column wpb_content_element"> <div class="wpb_wrapper"> Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today. </div> </div>

Live from the Clean Comedy Challenge in Nashville, TN, Rik sits down with Larry Weaver.  Larry is a stand-up comedian as well as a professional speaker and emcee.  He is also owner/CEO of Trusted Speakers, an entertainment agency based in North Carolina. LARRY WEAVER SHOW NOTES As usual, we cover a lot of ground on this episode. A few highlights include: Larry shares his experience of his first showcase being in Boston How everything learned in business school he applied to comedy The different videos that you need Difference between Booker and Agents What Larry looks for in potential clients And a whole lot more! LEARN MORE ABOUT LARRY WEAVER FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/corporate.entertainment/ WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/lwentertainment VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lweavernc/   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter Jose Manek and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today. 

AGENCY INSIGHTS - LARRY WEAVER [EP. 199]

Grace Klein wanted to be a comedian from the very first time she got her family to laugh when she was a kid. It only took her a couple more decades to bring it to the stage, but once she started, she couldn’t stop. She brings her own spin to subjects like being single in your 30’s, not understanding church terms or young people, and being stuck in a health crazed-hiking-CrossFitting-kale eating-Fitbit wearing-society that she is too gluten, dairy, and peanut tolerant to fit into. She started as an improv comedian before transitioning into stand-up. “I had been writing down ideas and jokes for years, pages and pages full of them. And then one day I looked through them all and thought, ‘this is stand-up material’. Granted, most of the jokes weren’t good, but stand-up comedy was really the only avenue for delivering them.” Grace travels around as much as possible, but currently resides in <a href="https://www.sandiego.gov/">San Diego, CA</a>, even though she prefers flannel over designer clothes and still doesn’t understand why avocado toast costs $5.99 when it’s really just guac on bread. She prides herself most on the amount of times she’s been told she has “potential" and "how much better she looks with an Instagram crema filter."   <h2>GRACE KLEIN SHOW NOTES</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.denver.org/">Denver</a> was the first place that she started doing stand-up.</li> <li>Stand-up is like a muscle; you have to keep working it.</li> <li>Improv is hugely helpful, even just for stage presence.</li> <li><a href="https://www.briankohatsu.com/">Brian Kohatsu</a> is great at staying committed to a character.</li> <li>Doing comedy at a 420 speakeasy weed bar.</li> <li>Get more stage time and write more material.</li> <li>How to forge a connection with an experienced comedian.</li> </ul> And a whole lot more!   <h3>LEARN MORE ABOUT GRACE KLEIN</h3> FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/gracekleincomedy">https://www.facebook.com/gracekleincomedy</a> WATCH ON YOUTUBE: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_p-6jKvd9VxANsiQFz8eg/">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_p-6jKvd9VxANsiQFz8eg/</a> VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/grace_e_klein/">https://www.instagram.com/grace_e_klein/</a> FOLLOW ON TWITTER:  <a href= "https://twitter.com/grace_e_klein/">https://twitter.com/grace_e_klein/</a>   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DERRICK TENNANT and <a href= "https://www.schooloflaughs.com/insider-access/club-52-mentorship/">CLUB 52</a>. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit <a href= "http://www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon">www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon</a> for more info today.

Grace Klein wanted to be a comedian from the very first time she got her family to laugh when she was a kid. It only took her a couple more decades to bring it to the stage, but once she started, she couldn’t stop. She brings her own spin to subjects like being single in your 30’s, not understanding church terms or young people, and being stuck in a health crazed-hiking-CrossFitting-kale eating-Fitbit wearing-society that she is too gluten, dairy, and peanut tolerant to fit into. She started as an improv comedian before transitioning into stand-up. “I had been writing down ideas and jokes for years, pages and pages full of them. And then one day I looked through them all and thought, ‘this is stand-up material’. Granted, most of the jokes weren’t good, but stand-up comedy was really the only avenue for delivering them.” Grace travels around as much as possible, but currently resides in San Diego, CA, even though she prefers flannel over designer clothes and still doesn’t understand why avocado toast costs $5.99 when it’s really just guac on bread. She prides herself most on the amount of times she’s been told she has “potential" and "how much better she looks with an Instagram crema filter."   GRACE KLEIN SHOW NOTES Denver was the first place that she started doing stand-up. Stand-up is like a muscle; you have to keep working it. Improv is hugely helpful, even just for stage presence. Brian Kohatsu is great at staying committed to a character. Doing comedy at a 420 speakeasy weed bar. Get more stage time and write more material. How to forge a connection with an experienced comedian. And a whole lot more!   LEARN MORE ABOUT GRACE KLEIN FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gracekleincomedy WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_p-6jKvd9VxANsiQFz8eg/ VIEW ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/grace_e_klein/ FOLLOW ON TWITTER:  https://twitter.com/grace_e_klein/   SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT:  This episode is brought to you by Patreon supporter DERRICK TENNANT and CLUB 52. Club 52  is a one-year program designed to challenge you to get bigger, better and more bookable. You will be prompted to examine your material, performance and business practices via email each week.  Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon for more info today.

GRACE KLEIN - TAKING CHANCES [EP. 198]

From the aspiring comedian to the part time pro this is the podcast you've been looking for! This podcast is full of honest insight and useful information on the journey from the open mic to the sweet paying corporate gig. Shows range in format from "comedy campfires" where we swap out the fire for a mic and get to the key questions from aspiring comics to in-depth interviews with professional comedians, booking agents, managers and club owners. Led by 23 yr comedy veteran Rik Roberts (www.RikRoberts.com) as part of his School of Laughs (www.SchoolofLaughs.com) workshop series.

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School Of Laughs

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