Comedy Roadmap: Articles

From the L.A. Times

2009-03-08T10:17:00.000-07:00

Great info for comics about the standup scene in L.A.
Not All Open Mikes Are Equal

Another great article for comics
Ten Comics Walk Into a Bar...

And just for nostalgia (from 1998)
Showcase Hell

How to Be Funny As a Stand-up Comedian

2008-11-18T11:00:00.000-08:00

By Drew Tarvin

You're sitting with your friends at dinner and you have them rolling; everything you say seems to be getting a huge laugh from everyone, even strangers sitting near you. Someone notices your hilarity and says, "You should do stand-up."

And that's how it starts for many of us. We're funny with friends, so we're sure to be funny in front of strangers, right? Unfortunately that's not always the case, but with a few tips and a little guidance, you can have a successful first stand-up experience. And from there you can find out if stand-up comedy is something you want to pursue.

10 Steps to Performing Stand-up Comedy

1. Know the "rules." There are a number of comedy "rules" (all of which can be broken once you know what you're doing). The most important ones are:

Setup/Punch - The basic structure of any joke is a setup, something that is grounded in reality and establishes an expectation, and a punch, what's different and destroys that expectation, creating the surprise for generating laughter.

The Rule of 3 - everything is funnier in 3's for some reason. Have a point-of-view or attitude - If you don't have an emotion to what you're talking about, neither will the audience.

The Rule of 9 - 9 out of 10 things you write will suck. Understand that not every joke you say is going to be hilarious, and know that it sometimes takes years for a comedian to develop a 45-minute act.

2. Write down what you want to say. Don't just go up there expecting to "wing it." Few comedians are able to do this with success. Stand-up comedy is about writing and performance. Also make sure your material is your own. The biggest no-no in stand-up is to steal someone else's material--this is not karaoke.

3. Act it out. You have to be a clever linguist in order to pull of just talking on stage. It's much easier, and more entertaining for the audience, if you act out your stories for them to see.

4. Memorize it. While you don't have to (and probably shouldn't) memorize every word, you do have to be able to state the setups and punchlines from memory, and you should have a strong sense of how you're going to act out the stories. Nothing derails a performance like taking the time to have to look at a notepad of what you wanted to say.

5. Test your material. Comedians build an act by writing something and then testing it in front of different audiences, finding what's funny. You can do this before ever stepping on stage by telling your friends and family. Don't tell them you're testing material, just work it into everday conversation and see if it gets a laugh. This helps you avoid having to say the dreaded "I guess you had to be there."

6. Scout out an open mic. Go to an open mic just to watch before getting on stage yourself. Scouting it out helps you understand the process, see other people like you, and give you realistic expectations. Open mics are very different than normal weekend shows and you want to be prepared. This also gives you the chance to ask how much time you'll get on stage.

7. Invite your friends and family. Your friends and family are going to be the nicest people you'll perform in front of; they'll laugh even if your set is only moderately funny. This is encourages the other audience members to laugh and is a huge help for your first time.

8. Don't go over your time. The second no-no in comedy is to not go over your time. If you're given 5 minutes, that's what you get, not a second longer. Some open mics won't be as strict, but this is no reason to be a jerk. And yes this still applies if you're "killing" it--leave the audience wanting more.

9. Record your set. If you know you're only going to do stand-up this one time, you'll want something by which to remember it. If you plan on doing stand-up again, this tape will prove invaluable as you can go back and see what worked and what didn't.

10. Do it again. If you want to get an accurate gauge of how you'd really do as a stand-up, you should do it at least 3 times in front of 3 different audiences. Your first time is likely to go well because of friends and family. The true test is if you can perform the same set with the same enthusiasm multiple times in front of an audience of complete strangers.

Do at least one of these things, and you'll be light years ahead of most other first timers. Manage to cover them all and you'll be on your way to comedy fame (or at least some really good sets at your local club).

Drew Tarvin is a stand-up comedian, improviser, and writer based in New York City. Find out more great tips on comedy and more at http://www.drewtarvin.com/blog/.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Be-Funny-As-a-Stand-up-Comedian&id=1669779

Simple Ways to Improve Your Image

2008-11-05T09:48:00.000-08:00

By Janice Jenkins

If you are in a service industry of any kind, then no matter how much advertising you get done, a lot is still going to rest squarely on your shoulders. For service industries often things like business card printing are only going to be as good as you make them. You need to be out there improving your image as well as handing out marketing material. You have to be able to give people a good and strong reason why they should trust you, and it is you they are going to have to trust. This is not about buying a product but hiring out an actual person to do a job. People are going to be looking at you before making any decisions.

What can you do?

The first is to accept that marketing is also needed. You have to have both a strong personal image and a strong business image in order to be successful. That means keep up that business card printing and keep sending out those postcards or putting up those posters. This is just as vital even if it is not the only thing you need to do.

The second part is improving your image, or at least getting your name out there. You have a number of different options here to help make sure people view you as a strong professional.

The first is by lending out your services in anyway you can. Are their any local non-profit organizations or other charities you know of that might be able to use your services for free? If you run a primarily local business I cannot stress enough what a great way this is of improving your image and your standing in the community.

Find every chance you can to help out any organization that is helping your community. You will of course help your community through them, you will get to try out new challenges and improve yourself, and you will make yourself known throughout the town as someone who is willing to lend a helping hand whenever it is needed.

You might find local events to speak at, or even places where you can teach a class. If not teach, find classes where you could be a guest speaker, or find someplace where you could run a workshop. All of these make you appear to be more of an expert in your field, and each person you teach is going to talk about you to their friends.

I am sure if you take the time to step back and look around your town you will start to notice a whole slew of different possibilities out there for you. You might be taking aside precious time to help out a charity, but remember that you are not only helping them out, but also promoting yourself at the same time. That is some effective multi-tasking.

Janice Jenkins is a writer for a marketing company in Chicago, IL. Mostly into marketing research, Janice started writing articles early 2007 to impart her knowledge to individuals new to the marketing industry.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit: Business Card Printing

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Applying Web 2.0 Technology to Your Online Branding Strategy

2008-11-04T16:35:00.001-08:00

By Dvorah Lansky

In today's competitive environment, where there are so many self-proclaimed experts, how can one stay ahead of their competition, brand themselves as a true expert in their field and provide a way for their audience to come to know, like and trust them? There has never been a better time to address this issue.

With the advent of Web 2.0 Technology, we have access to resources and marketing tools that provide us with the ability to share our thoughts, voice and image (both moving and still) with our audience. As an example, you can access countless free resources that will allow you to do the following:

publish your own internet radio or television show
build your own browser toolbar which you can easily load with helpful resource links for your niche audience
develop your own blog / expert site and invite interaction with your readers
create flash ad banners and web graphics
broadcast custom videos with your message
network with professionals from around the globe
communicate verbally with a small or large group of people
and much, much more

Let us explore just one of these methods, that being the power of Conference Calls. Conference Calls offer you a great deal as far as being able to share your message and expertise with a small or large group of people at the same time. There are several free options available to you, my favorite is Free Conference Call.com . What this service allows me to do is set up a conference call with up to 100 people. (In future articles we will explore other Conference Calling options that allow you to reach an audience of up to 2,000 people.)

You can either speak via a muted line, thus cutting out all background noise, or you can set up your call to allow audience interaction. You can even set up your call to allow one or more guest speakers. For those not able to attend the live call, this service provides you with an MP3 recording of your call. Thus, people have the option of listening online or downloading your conference call to a CD or an MP3 player.

For a moment let's explore what else you can do with this material to bring value to your audience and brand yourself as an expert in your field. There is a term which is becoming known in Internet Marketing circles called "repurposing". An example of "repurposing" would be, as in the above example, providing an MP3 recording of your call. Another example would be for you to provide the transcripts to your call. How powerful would it be for someone in your target audience to not only have listened in on your call, but to have received the transcript which they can print off and review at their convenience.

Taking this a step further, what if you were to take your transcripts and break them into smaller chunks which can either become the foundation for an ebook or manual or can be used as part of your weekly email training. There are many, many ways that one can "repurpose" their materials in the efforts to brand themselves and offer more value to their audience. We will discuss additional ideas in future articles.

D'vorah Lansky offers workshops, both in her local community and "in your living room" via internet radio and video, on the topic of "Internet Marketing on a Shoestring".

You may want to take advantage of her weekly resource series on Electronic Marketing Magic by visiting: http://www.ElectronicMarketingMagic.com

D'vorah specializes in the filed of Client Appreciation and is
passionate about teaching others on the following topics:

- Internet Marketing on a Shoestring
- Goal Setting to Achieve Your Dreams
- The 90 Day Power Plan

Membersite Communities which D'vorah Facilitates, bringing together leaders in their field:

- Professional Organizers
- Virtual Assistants
- Direct Sales Leaders
- Members of http://www.InternetMarketingonaShoestring.Ning.com

Web Radio Broadcast Interview Series:
- Internet Marketing on a Shoestring
- Internet Marketing Pearls of Wisdom
- Direct Selling Assistance
- The 90 Day Power Plan
- SendOutCards Leader Mastermind

Her motto: "Plan your work and work your plan. Work will win when wishing won't!"

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dvorah_Lansky
http://EzineArticles.com/?Applying-Web-2.0-Technology-to-Your-Online-Branding-Strategy&id=1636161

Marketing With Integrity - What to Put in Your First Bio

2008-10-31T10:45:00.000-07:00

By Maria Marsala

Have you wondered what information to include on your "bio"? Starting a bio with a blank page, will get you a blank page! But starting it with a list of potential questions to answer, well, that will help you get it done.

Maybe you'll attach it to an article or to send to a potential client. Maybe you're designing a brochure or web site and are looking for a place to start? Maybe you need a bio for your website or speakers "one-sheet"? The gift of writing down all the information suggested in this article, you will have a multi-purpose useful information sheet that you can use the information over and over again!

1. List business name, your name, business address (street, city, state, full zip code), phone number(s), fax number(s), primary e-mail address and URL (web address).

2. List services and/or products your company provides.

3. What experience and creditability do you bring to your business from your past?

4. Background information about your company.

5. Why and/or how did you get into your current business?

6. What sets you apart in the business world? or What's unique about your business?

7. Why should someone do business with your company rather than your competition?

8. Who are your ideal clients? What is your market niche

9. Have you received significant recognition for your business? Include awards, testimonials, articles published, appearance on the radio or tv, etc.

10. What is your business and/or personal mission statement?

11. List affiliations such as professional associations, education, certificates you've received, etc.

12. Include some personal information at the end of your bio. Not too much, but enough to let people know you have a life outside your business life.

2008 Maria Marsala, the founder of Elevating Your Business, is a business strategist, speaker, author and former Wall Street trader. Since 1998, Maria has helped service sector CEOs, presidents, professionals and management teams struggling with the problems of quickly expanding businesses by helping them to streamlining and automating their planning, operations and marketing processes. The results? Many have doubled their sales, they have more free time, and enjoy a higher quality life. Would you like to be next? Learn more and receive a free business building audio at http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Marketing-With-Integrity---What-to-Put-in-Your-First-Bio&id=1627953

Corporate Event Production Services

2008-10-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

(Another business article that can easily apply to us in the entertainment and media production fields)

By Tamara Ford

Although smaller companies may be able to organize their own corporate events, for a huge corporate this becomes a real headache and it is often much easier to employ a corporate event production services company to put together the details such as the corporate entertainment bookings, where the event will be held, corporate catering, etc. Leave your staff and colleagues free to just sit back and enjoy the evening together.

In order to successfully organize a corporate event with a corporate event production services company though, there are a few things you are going to need to manage efficiently and so we have put together some ideas of how you can do this without more hassle or cost.

Use Web-Based Event Management Solutions

Having a web page where you can communicate with your corporate event production services company, promote your event and handle other aspects of the event makes corporate event management so much easier. One of the best ideas is to use Web 2.0 technology as your web-based event management solutions. These solutions are free, encourage interaction and also allow you to keep most of your information centralized.

You can use task manager and budget manager tools on your web page to ensure that all those who need to know, know about their tasks and how much money they have to work with to get this done. This is not only useful for working with your event production company but also for getting other staff involved in helping on the evening or before.

A web-based management system also allows you to create an online invitation to share with all those you want to come to your event. You can personalize this as much as you like (after all, you have over 60 different multimedia applications at your disposal to make this quick and easy).

Party Invitations for your Corporate Event

Once you have put up your web page, you are still going to need to let your colleagues and staff know where it is - so send them an email invitation with a link to the page where they can get all those details, RSVP and start networking.

Put their photos next to their names so that people can recognize who it is by their photo (not everyone in a huge corporation know each other) and can see who is coming, not coming or who has not yet responded. Once the party is over, don't neglect your event website - go back and add photos, videos and notes about what happened on the night. Make it something for everyone to remember.

Make life for you and your corporate event production services company much easier and keep the communication and networking going!

Tamara Ford is the wife of an Internet Entrepreneur who specializes in Event Launch Marketing and social media strategies. "She initially started writing to help her husband promote his websites and has since become hooked". If you enjoyed this article, you may be interested in reading another article about Christmas Party Invitations or take a look at my book about the worlds media scape, called Social Traffic.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Corporate-Event-Production-Services&id=1606467

Choosing a Company Name Without Fistfights Or Tears

2008-10-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

(Although this article is written for business people, it's also good advice for bands, sketch troupes and any other performing groups)

By KD Lockhart

When you're deciding on a company name, emotions are high. It's an important decision, and it's hard to get an entire management team to agree. Before you call up an expensive naming company, gather your team into a room with a whiteboard and produce a memorable name that everyone can agree on:

1. Make a long list of all the possibilities. Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm. Write down everything you think of.

2. Remove anything that everyone agrees does not make sense (great for a few laughs). If there is any controversy, leave the name, it will be eliminated soon enough.

3. For each possibility, have everyone vote whether they like it or not. Each person has unlimited votes, and voting decisions should be based on first impressions.

4. Go through the entire list, recording the number of 'yes' votes for each one. Then remove half the possibilities-those with the fewest votes.

5. Repeat until only one option is left.

Essentially this results in the result that is accepted by everyone-perhaps not an absolute favorite of everyone on the team, but something everyone can live with. And, even better, from my experience, the results tend to grow on you. I look back at the other potential names for my company and I'm awfully glad we discarded them.

This technique can be used with names, interview candidates, marketing ideas, and a number of other group decisions. We've used it to name Backboard, Increo and a number of other internal projects.

Thanks to Sarah Arora for her ideas that contributed to the development of this process.

The name for Backboard - http://www.getbackboard.com - was chosen with this technique and served the feedback tool well. If you need feedback on your articles, try out Backboard - http://www.getbackboard.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-a-Company-Name-Without-Fistfights-Or-Tears&id=1583558

Why is Humor Important in the Workplace?

2008-10-15T09:35:00.001-07:00

By Milan Kovacevic

Why has humor become a recognized asset in the workplace? Among others, there are the principal reasons why humor is important: it energizes, helps facilitate communication, and build relationships.

1. Humor Promotes Attending and Energizes

We know that all good lecturers have many jokes, stories, and anecdotes that are shared in order to command attention and energize the audience. Humor wakes us up and increases our attending. An office bulletin board loaded with cartoons, one liners, jokes, pictures, etc. is one way to invite humor into the workplace. A few moments of humor at work can lead to increased productivity as the newly energized employee returns to his or her task.

In working environments where humor is supported there develops a culture that utilizes the humor to reduce stress and provide perspective. We have all heard humor directed at lawyers, medical personnel, scientists, engineers, business persons, educators, etc. Learning to laugh at ourselves and our work lightens the load.

Humor is a major career asset, so let's be serious about humor and use humor to lighten our seriousness in the workplace. As we increase our personal humor quotient and spread our humor contagiously to others, we will begin to see the "lite" at the end of the tunnel.

2. Humor Facilitates Communication

Humor provides a non-threatening medium through which an employee or employer can communicate with others without intensifying the emotional temperature of the relationship. Consider the frazzled secretary who posts the sign "I have only two speeds, and if this one isn't fast enough then I'm sure you're not going to like my other." Or the somewhat scattered boss whose messy desk is complimented with a note that says, "A Creative Mess is better than Tidy Idleness." The message is clear, yet the communication is done in a light and, therefore, less stressful way. The secretary's sign pokes fun at the situation, and the boss's note pokes some fun at himself.

3. Humor Builds Relationships

The development of staff cohesion and a sense of team effort in the workplace can be effectively facilitated by the use of humor. Bulletin boards, electronic mail, intra-office memos, voice mail, etc. all offer mediums through which we can share humor with co-workers. Office jokes taking the seriousness of work lightly provide us with the opportunity to become more connected with others.

Milan Kovacevic is a writer and an entrepreneur, with 10 years of experience in entrepreneurship, product management and consulting. His favorite dating site is Fun'N'Love (http://www.funnlove.com).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Milan_Kovacevic
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-is-Humor-Important-in-the-Workplace?&id=1565891

Watch Comedy TV Shows Online

2008-10-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

By Shirley Scott

Comedy TV shows are among a few topics that people are addicted to whether the shows are watched on television or on videos. That is the reason why TV producers keep on coming up with new comedy shows just to satisfy the hungry needs of viewers.

I still remember watching comedy TV shows in front of my television set in the late nineties. TV shows such as Seinfeld and Friends were a few of my favorite shows.

When I got the TV guide that I subscribed monthly, I would go through and check the days and times the shows would be aired on TV. Then I would check again the repeats of the shows in case I missed the first times the shows were aired.

That was in the late nineties and it was hard to keep up with the schedules of these comedy TV shows, especially when I was also attending classes for my degree program.

I would have missed the programs a lot if I couldn't watch them on TV, and yes, I was a TV addict - specifically comedy TV shows.

Now, things have changed and it becomes easier for comedy TV addicts like me to keep track with favorite comedy shows.

With the existence of high speed internet connection and lots of video streaming services on the web, you don't have to struggle to keep track of all the comedy tv series such as Chuck, Weeds and Hannah Montana, like I was in the late nineties.

There are many websites accepting videos that you can upload on servers and there are many more websites that embed these videos on their websites. What you'll have to do next is identify a few good website that list these videos that you can stream and watch online. Then, enjoy the TV shows.

It is like TV programs on demand and you can watch practically any TV shows that you like, at any time anywhere in the world. It is all available at your fingertips.

Just for a small tip, here is how you can search for your favorite comedy TV shows.

If you would like to search for TV series "Weeds", you just have to type "watch weeds online" on any search engines and you'll get a list of video streaming websites that offer the service of watching TV series "Weeds" on the internet.

Do this search for any comedy TV shows that you would like to watch and you'll soon become more addictive to comedy TV shows than ever.

Shirley Scott has a website at http://www.TopComedyShows.com that allows you to watch comedy TV shows online. Here on her website, you can also watch Chuck, Weeds and Hannah Montana online for FREE!

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