Virtual gigs, drive-ins, outdoor parking lots ... is this what it has come down to? I discuss the options for comedians with former students Brain Bates and  Jonnie W. If 2020 has taught us anything it is this: "adapt or die." There just aren't as many inside gigs as usual. If you want to earn some money you have to get outside your comfort zone. To keep your comedy chops sharp that may include some unconventional settings. This year Brian opened for Nate Bargatze at drive-in theaters. Johnnie W. did a few outdoor shows. I am doing more and more virtual gigs. It's not going to be the same as a packed comedy club. That's okay. Those aren't happening right now. So we share what is working and what isn't in this mid-pandemic climate. DRIVE-INS, PARKING LOTS AND VIRTUAL GIGS SHOW NOTES In this episode, we discuss:  The challenges of performing at Drive-Ins Gigantic trains How timing is affected at a Drive-In Show Comedy IS confidence Sharing a tour bus during COVID Recording a Netflix Special in a pandemic Crowds that go "tight" Vaccines Brians  "Quarantine Video" Video Johnnie W. and the cabbie from Bangladesh Creative Virtual Gigs Comics who reinvented themselves lockdown Using free time for getting healthier Staying faithful to God  And much, much, more!

DRIVE-INS, PARKING LOTS AND VIRTUAL GIGS [EP. 229]

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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Today we wrap up the long-running (6 1/2 years) School of Laughs podcast! It started in July of 2014 and has run the course of over 255 episodes. If you have a question about stand-up comedy we have covered it on this podcast.  So as we wrap, where do you go from here? Today we talk about clearing off your schedule for upcoming goals. You can't add something new unless you subtract something from your list of tasks. What will those things be for you?  Lastly, what is your 5-10 year plan? Have you thought about how to get where you need to be to make those plans happen? We talk about a few things to consider when pursuing stand-up comedy as a career.  It's been a fun run. Thanks for listening. I hope you continue to share past episodes with your friends. Revisit topics as they become relevant for you.  (c)(p) 2022 School of Laughs Podcast www.SchoolOfLaughs.com www.RikRoberts.com  1-888-895-8549

THE END OF AN ERA [EP. 255]

Today we focus on the year ahead. What are you trying to accomplish moving forward? Yes, it's the annual goals tracker worksheet episode! You can download the Goals Tracker Worksheet .pdf by clicking  HERE. Thanks to the  Patreon sponsor for this episode John Smith. We'll cover how to set attainable goals in bite-sized pieces. Specifically, we get into goals about:  Writing comedy Writing with others Performing on stage Performing Virtual Creating Virtual Solutions Updating Websites E-mail Newsletter Lists Networking Ideas Cultivating your Social Media following  and much, much, more! This goals tracker worksheet is one of my go-to for really understanding if I made any progress in the previous year or not. It also helps me pinpoint what I can do better and where I should spend my time. It will do the same for you. (C)(P) SCHOOL OF LAUGHS WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM  

GOALS TRACKER WORKSHEET EPISODE [EP. 254]

Sharing marketing tips for comics is the one and wonderful Tracy DeGraff. After penning her first book, "Laugh Anyway Mom", Tracy took classes at The Second City in Chicago hoping to take her stories to the comedy stage. Today, she joins us to share insights on what has worked (along with a few things that didn't) on her way to creating her one woman show. She emphasizes the need to pave your own P.R. way in order to sell tickets, bring awareness, and earn money as a comedian or speaker. Thanks to our PATREON sponsor for this episode MAX WINFREY! MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about: Her journey from writer to stand-up comedian/speaker Testing her book title and getting insightful feedback The difference between stand-up and storytelling Trading off her expertise to learn stand-up Taking classes at The Second City Why she chose to self-publish The difficulty in finding her ideal audience to test comedy Why it took awhile for her to utilize her journalism and PR degree How to get featured in local newspapers Why newspapers need content Providing everything needed to publish your story 3 Keys to getting published! How to "reverse-engineer" your shows for maximum return Producing her next video special How to determine an ad budget for your own show Capturing e-mail addresses and how to use them afterwards The benefits of using MAILCHIMP to create email campaigns Providing something to bookers so they remember you and much more. Visit her website: https://tracydegraaf.com (c)(p) School Of Laughs.com www.SchoolOfLaughs.com    

MARKETING TIPS FOR COMICS WITH TRACY DeGRAFF  [EP. 253]

I just wrapped up 17 shows in 27 days. I am still learning how to be a comedian, speaker, facilitator, and actor. On top of that, I have to book travel and get myself to and from the gigs. Today I am going to share with you a lesson learned from each of the events. During the run, my shows consisted of two of my speeches, my stand-up, personal appearances, and as audience warm-up. It requires a lot of versatility and resilience. Sometimes I think those qualities are more important than talent. Probably not, but they help! Nevertheless, this episode is chock full of comedy lessons learned during the 17 events performed. Thanks to our  PATREON sponsor for this episode JOHN PETERS! COMEDY LESSONS LEARNED - SHOW NOTES Specifically, I'll talk about:  What Barney Fife, Realtors, and a Mexican Restaurant have in common A unique soundproof booth for doing a zoom interview How an outreach event turned into a virtual solo show Why being overprepared comes in handy A lesson in generosity Standing your ground to protect your health and restfulness Working in new material How a former NFL player gave me a set-up for a new joke What to do when a health official coughs all over your microphone Being appreciative of your friends and family Remembering to loosen up and "add the flavor" Making a wish and top golf Rolling the dice on an Uber in Atlantic City The accent in Boston I wasn't expecting Establishing off-stage relationships with clients and CEO's How refreshing it is to work with other comics Knowing your crowd and when to slow down How gender jokes can still work  and much more. Folks mentioned in this episode include: Dan Swartout [Episode 092]  Let Your Style Develop John Branyan [Episode 116] Three New Premises Andrew Rudick David Pendleton Chris Cohen === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

17 SHOWS IN 27 DAYS - LESSONS LEARNED [EP. 252]

Today I am discussing comedy win-win opportunities with Chester Goad. I met Chester a few years ago at the BIG PODCAST conference with David Hooper. We've been in the loop ever since. During the past 18 months, we've spent many hours on coaching calls. Sometimes it is spent developing material, or creating a game plan. And always, trying to find win-win opportunities to develop his stage time and material. Chester is also a writer and actor. A podcast host (Film Fresh and Leader Byte). Learn more and contact Chester Goad at https://www.chesterg.com. COMEDY WIN-WIN OPPORTUNITIES WITH CHESTER GOAD SHOW NOTES Specifically, we talk about:  cutting your teeth on shows where patrons don't expect to see a comedian providing value to a venue instead of asking for stage time writing about what you know connecting with the audience through local material networking in a real way with other comics the value of encouragement sometimes the payoff comes later than you expect Gutty's Comedy Club The Clean Comedy Challenge What Chester knows about BIGFOOT  and much more. === NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR POST If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking. Better yet, subscribe to the monthly School of Laughs “Insider Tips” email and get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. It’s fast, free, useful, and fun. Just email: SchoolOfLaughs@gmail.com and put “insider tip sheet” in the subject header. I’ll make sure you get the official tip sheet and I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam-free.

DRIVE-INS, PARKING LOTS AND VIRTUAL GIGS [EP. 229]

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