School Of Laughs

I met Damian Mason in the mid-2000's when he and I were both impersonators performing for a meeting in the Agriculture niche. Most recently, he has also become a top speaker on Reinvention. Damian and I met up recently at the National Speaker's Association conference and I wanted to pick his brain about the business of speaking. He generously shares a lot of specific advice on how he got where he is and how you can step up your game.

This episode is brought to you by Patreon Sponsor Bruce Bradford-Royle. Click HERE to learn how you can support the podcast.

We cover a lot including:

• Being a member of the National Speaker's Association
• His first and helpful tip about dressing for success (or at least not recess)
• Being as professional as your peers or looking like you don't belong
• The pros and cons of being an Impersonator
• Being in touch with your material and knowing when it has run its course
• Keeping things relevant by looking at you act as a product
• Products need a buyer who will reap a benefit from giving you their money
• How Old Spice reinvented itself with the advent of Body Wash
• Reinventing means you change your product, customers or your image
• The difference between rebranding and reinventing
• How Oldsmobile dropped the ball when they repositioned
• How comics can rebrand (new jokes, new image, new audiences)
• Niches and why you should find one
• Why great comedy usually has a point of view, commentary or an edge
• How you can be funny without even creating a premise
• Why your job isn't writing jokes

And a whole lot more!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DAMIAN

"Club 52" is a 52 week, email based stand-up program. It will include a weekly challenge designed to help you become a better comedian. This year long program will feature an email every Friday from me. I will ask you to take a serious look at some of your business practices, writing processes, performance techniques, branding, marketing and a whole lot more.

The program starts the week you join and continues for 52 weeks as long as you are still supporting the podcast through Patreon at the $7 a month level.

Questions? Email me (Rik) at [email protected]. Or call 1-888-895-8549. Or, if you are ready, head on over to www.Patreon.com/SchoolOfLaughs to get started.

(C) COPYRIGHT 2017

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School Of Laughs and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of Rik Roberts. Bother, share it as much as you like!

On today's show I catch up with Chuck Johnson, CEO of Summit Comedy Inc., in Charlotte, NC.

I first net Chuck in the late nineties when he left Comedy Zone and started his own comedy agency. At that time he was doing a little bit of everything from booking one nighters and clubs to managing a handful of comics and pursuing the college comedy market.

Over time he has narrowed his focus primarily to the college market. With a few dozen comics on his roster and a firm grip on that scene, Chuck stays very busy. Lucky for us, he took a break for a few minutes to give us an inside look at the College comedy market. He tells us what they are looking for, how he looks for talent and what you can do to get on track to test the waters.

This episode is sponsored by Patreon supporter Wayne Fitzpatrick and the Clean Comedy Challenge.

Summit Comedy Inc., Show Notes

Chuck Johnson attended Appalachian State University in North Carolina. While there he followed his passion and booked bands at a local club. Bands like Dave Matthews and Rusted Root performed on the same bill. He followed up with roughly a three year stint at the Comedy Zone where learned about booking comedians, marketing, promotion and everything comedy business related. In 1998, he went solo and started what is now Summit Comedy Inc., We cover a lot about the college comedy market in this episode!

INSIDER TIP SHEET - JOIN THE CLUB!

If you love discovering comedy tips like this please consider joining our INSIDER TIP SHEET. Each month you will receive an email with over a dozen links to articles online about stand-up comedy. Also included are blog recaps and articles written by myself or other School Of Laughs friends.

Simply send an email to [email protected] with "INSIDER TIP SHEET" in the heading and you'll join over 1000 comedians who stay in the loop with top comedy tips and news!

This podcast is a production of the Rik Roberts School of Laughs. Any reproduction or use of this information without expressed written consent is strictly prohibited.

For more on becoming a more bookable comedian or funnier speaker, please visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com.

JEANNE ROBERTSON COMEDY WITH CLASS [EP. 148]

Jeanne Robertson (one of my comedy favorites) joins us today! We discuss a career that started in late 60's and has carried her into her mid seventies! You don't last 54 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is!

Jeanne appeared on my radar a dozen or so years ago when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering "Where did this hilarious lady come from?" It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She's quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don't let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge, surprise payoff.

With over 126,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 49 MILLION views Jeanne is more popular than ever.

This episode of the School of Laughs podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Bishop Jeffrey D Donelson.

Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon to learn how you can support the show!

After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne in early July. We were both at a session on using humor at the National Speaker's Association conference in Orlando, FL. It was then I knew I had to get her on the show. We talk about her COMEDY WITH CLASS Humor Competition (sign up HERE: www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition) and a whole lot more.

Specifically, we talk about:

Connecting through the National Speakers Association Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her Weaving a little audience participation into her shows Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit Working in a message for her corporate audiences Embracing the internet and catapulting her career Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist Updating and improving material that continues to grow The origin of "Left Brain" stories based on her husband Jerry Giving the audience permission to laugh The process and steps she uses to develop stories The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories How not talking about yourself can generate material www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition

And a whole lot more!

Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson

Jeanne's official website http://www.jeannerobertson.com

Watch "Don't Send A Man To The Grocery Store" on YOUTUBE and hear how "Left Brain" took a left turn at the grocery store.

JEANNE ROBERTSON COMEDY WITH CLASS [EP. 148]

Jeanne Robertson (one of my comedy favorites) joins us today! We discuss a career that started in late 60’s and has carried her into her mid seventies! You don’t last 54 years in show business unless you are jaw-dropping funny. Jeanne Robertson absolutely is!

Jeanne appeared on my radar a dozen or so years ago when I heard her routines on Laugh USA (SiriusXM Satellite radio). I had never crossed paths with her at a comedy club and kept wondering “Where did this hilarious lady come from?” It turns out she comes from North Carolina and entered comedy through the speaking circuit. She’s quick to tell you she is a humorist – not a stand-up comedian. But don’t let that fool you. Her stories are full of laughs all the way to the huge, surprise payoff.

With over 126,000 YouTube Subscribers and over 49 MILLION views Jeanne is more popular than ever.

This episode of the School of Laughs podcast is brought to you by Patreon supporter Bishop Jeffrey D Donelson.

Visit www.SchoolOfLaughs.com/Patreon to learn how you can support the show!

After getting to know her for years through her routines, I finally got the chance to meet up with Jeanne in early July. We were both at a session on using humor at the National Speaker’s Association conference in Orlando, FL. It was then I knew I had to get her on the show. We talk about her COMEDY WITH CLASS Humor Competition (sign up HERE:  www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition) and a whole lot more.

Specifically, we talk about:

Connecting through the National Speakers Association
Her upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium
Watching Carol Burnett live and getting to meet her
Weaving a little audience participation into her shows
Going from the Miss North Carolina Pageant to the speaking circuit
Working in a message for her corporate audiences
Embracing the internet and catapulting her career
Getting help from Al McCree to go digital on iTunes
The difference between being a speaker and a concert entertainer
What to expect at a comedy club vs hearing a humorist
Updating and improving material that continues to grow
The origin of “Left Brain” stories based on her husband Jerry
Giving the audience permission to laugh
The process and steps she uses to develop stories
The Genie Journal and how it helps accumulate stories
How not talking about yourself can generate material
www.ComedyWithClass.com/competition

And a whole lot more!

Want to learn more about Jeanne Robertson

Jeanne's official website http://www.jeannerobertson.com 

Watch “Don’t Send A Man To The Grocery Store” on YOUTUBE and hear how "Left Brain" took a left turn at the grocery store.

Tammy Pescatelli joins me today to talk all things comedy. I met Tammy Pescatelli way, way back in 1994 when I was working at the Davenport Funny Bone and she was co host of a morning show there. Since then, Tammy has gone on to many great things including multiple appearances on the Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, her own Netflix special and such more. Today we catch up on the process of getting from one goal to another.

This episode is brought to you by Patreon sponsor Victoria Day and the Clean Comedy Challenge.

We do cover a lot as we catch up on over 23 years of show business. Tammy Pescatelli and I talk about:

• How she got from Ohio to Iowa
• Her early time in Davenport working radio
• Going up on stage her first time as a result of a bet
• Splitting the cost on an "Industry Guide"
• Dubbing VHS demo tapes an mailing them to bookers
• Meeting Mitzi Shore at the Comedy Store
• Her first Tonight Show appearance in 2003
• Her Last Comic Standing stint in 2004 going up against Gary Gullman, Alonzo Bolden, Todd Glass, Kathleen Madigan, Bonnie McFarlane, Corey Holcomb, Jon Heffron, Ant, Jay London and others
• Submitting stand-up material to Standards and Practices
• Moving to Pennsylvania to raise her son
• Preparing and recording her Netflix special "FINDING THE FUNNY"
• Building a market in different cities
• Visiting UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE in Scottsboro, AL

Check out a clip from a stand-up special: https://youtu.be/mmaGg-B_dZ8

If you love discovering comedy tips like this please consider joining our INSIDER TIP SHEET. Each month you'll receive an email with over a dozen links to articles online about stand-up comedy. Also included are blog recaps and articles written by myself or other School Of Laughs friends.

Simply send an email to [email protected] with "INSIDER TIP SHEET" in the heading and you'll join over 1000 comedians who stay in the loop with top comedy tips and news!

Sponsor Spotlight:

"Club 52" is a 52 week, email based stand-up program. It will include a weekly challenge designed to help you become a better comedian. This year long program will feature an email every Friday from me. I will ask you to take a serious look at some of your business practices, writing processes, performance techniques, branding, marketing and a whole lot more.

The program starts the week you join and continues for 52 weeks as long as you are still supporting the podcast through Patreon at the $7 a month level.

Questions? Email me (Rik) at [email protected]. Or call 1-888-895-8549. Or, if you are ready, head on over to www.Patreon.com/SchoolOfLaughs to get started.

Tammy Pescatelli joins me today to talk all things comedy. I met Tammy Pescatelli way, way back in 1994 when I was working at the Davenport Funny Bone and she was co host of a morning show there.  Since then, Tammy has gone on to many great things including multiple appearances on the Tonight Show, Last Comic Standing, her own Netflix special and such more. Today we catch up on the process of getting from one goal to another.

This episode is brought to you by Patreon sponsor Victoria Day and the Clean Comedy Challenge. 

We do cover a lot as we catch up on over 23 years of show business. Tammy Pescatelli and I talk about:

• How she got from Ohio to Iowa
• Her early time in Davenport working radio
• Going up on stage her first time as a result of a bet
• Splitting the cost on an "Industry Guide"
• Dubbing VHS demo tapes an mailing them to bookers
• Meeting Mitzi Shore at the Comedy Store
• Her first Tonight Show appearance in 2003
• Her Last Comic Standing stint in 2004 going up against Gary Gullman, Alonzo Bolden, Todd Glass, Kathleen Madigan, Bonnie McFarlane, Corey Holcomb, Jon Heffron, Ant, Jay London and others
• Submitting stand-up material to Standards and Practices
• Moving to Pennsylvania to raise her son
• Preparing and recording her Netflix special "FINDING THE FUNNY"
• Building a market in different cities
• Visiting UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE in Scottsboro, AL

Check out a clip from a stand-up special: https://youtu.be/mmaGg-B_dZ8

If you love discovering comedy tips like this please consider joining our INSIDER TIP SHEET. Each month you'll receive an email with over a dozen links to articles online about stand-up comedy. Also included are blog recaps and articles written by myself or other School Of Laughs friends.

Simply send an email to [email protected] with "INSIDER TIP SHEET" in the heading and you'll join over 1000 comedians who stay in the loop with top comedy tips and news!

Sponsor Spotlight:

"Club 52" is a 52 week, email based stand-up program. It will include a weekly challenge designed to help you become a better comedian. This year long program will feature an email every Friday from me. I will ask you to take a serious look at some of your business practices, writing processes, performance techniques, branding, marketing and a whole lot more.

The program starts the week you join and continues for 52 weeks as long as you are still supporting the podcast through Patreon at the $7 a month level.

Questions? Email me (Rik) at [email protected]. Or call 1-888-895-8549. Or, if you are ready, head on over to www.Patreon.com/SchoolOfLaughs to get started.

On this episode I sit down with Lucy Sinsheimer, manager at Zanies Comedy Showplace in Nashville, TN.

This week's episode is brought to you by Patreon Sponsor Brian Bates and the Clean Comedy Challenge!

We cover a lot of ground about managing a comedy club in this episode, including:

• The first comedy show she ever attended (Kathy Griffin)
• How she got her foot in the door at the Comedy Zone
• When she made the move to Nashville to work at Zanies
• How helpful (or not) college helped with managing a club
• The role social media plays in today's comedy club
• Geo-Targeting potential customers on Facebook
• The new Stand Up Live Comedy Club in Huntsville, AL
• How there is no substitute for open mic stage time
• How technology and social media can overrun a work day
• Headliners bringing there own features and how that affects stage time
• Finding your comedic voice
• Co-writing with other comedians
• Not being afraid to try new material
• The importance of being able to work clean
• How important is social media for the beginning comedian?
• Being creative in your social posts
• What she wished she would have known before managing a club
• The difficulty in "always" being in work mode even away from work
• Being starstruck a little at having Chris Rock at the club
• Getting to hang out at the "comic's table" with Dave Attell at the Comedy Cellar
• Watching Kathleen Madigan develop an hour of comedy during her residency

• and much, much more!

If you love discovering comedy tips like this please consider joining our INSIDER TIP SHEET. Each month you'l'l receive an email with over a dozen links to articles online about stand-up comedy.

Also included are blog recaps and articles written by myself or other School Of Laughs friends. Simply send an email to [email protected] with "INSIDER TIP SHEET" in the heading and you'll join over 1000 comedians who stay in the loop with top comedy tips and news!

VISIT WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM FOR MORE INSIDE COMEDY INFORMATION!

On this episode I sit down with Lucy Sinsheimer, manager at Zanies Comedy Showplace in Nashville, TN.

This week's episode is brought to you by Patreon Sponsor Brian Bates and the Clean Comedy Challenge!

We cover a lot of ground about managing a comedy club in this episode, including:

• The first comedy show she ever attended (Kathy Griffin)
• How she got her foot in the door at the Comedy Zone
• When she made the move to Nashville to work at Zanies
• How helpful (or not) college helped with managing a club
• The role social media plays in today's comedy club
• Geo-Targeting potential customers on Facebook
• The new Stand Up Live Comedy Club in Huntsville, AL
• How there is no substitute for open mic stage time
• How technology and social media can overrun a work day
• Headliners bringing there own features and how that affects stage time
• Finding your comedic voice
• Co-writing with other comedians
• Not being afraid to try new material
• The importance of being able to work clean
• How important is social media for the beginning comedian?
• Being creative in your social posts
• What she wished she would have known before managing a club
• The difficulty in "always" being in work mode even away from work
• Being starstruck a little at having Chris Rock at the club
• Getting to hang out at the "comic's table" with Dave Attell at the Comedy Cellar
• Watching Kathleen Madigan develop an hour of comedy during her residency

• and much, much more!

If you love discovering comedy tips like this please consider joining our INSIDER TIP SHEET. Each month you'l'l receive an email with over a dozen links to articles online about stand-up comedy.

Also included are blog recaps and articles written by myself or other School Of Laughs friends. Simply send an email to [email protected] with "INSIDER TIP SHEET" in the heading and you'll join over 1000 comedians who stay in the loop with top comedy tips and news!

VISIT WWW.SCHOOLOFLAUGHS.COM FOR MORE INSIDE COMEDY INFORMATION!