School Of Laughs

030 FINDING YOUR ULTIMATE AUDIENCE [podcast]

At some point you will discover that your jokes appeal to a certain type of audience. Hopefully, that group will be full of people you enjoy performing for. When this happens, you have found your “Ultimate Audience”.

Early on, I don’t want you to get to hung up on finding out who they are. Rather, I’d suggest performing for anyone, anywhere and simply getting better.

However, after about 100 sets, you should start noticing when things are working and when they aren’t. Finding your Ultimate Audience may be as simple as asking:

• Where did I have my best shows?
• Which shows did I enjoy the most?
• Where have I been invited back?

Once you identify your people, you can make huge strides in your career. In this episode we talk about:

• Writing for your ultimate audience
• Creating events just for them
• How to market towards them by positioning yourself
• Ideas for expanding your reach to this audience
• Why it’s important to stop taking the wrong gigs
• Being consistent in your branding

And much, much more.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR "INSIDER TIP SHEET"

Get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. The tip sheet is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a monthly challenge to get your comedy career on the right track.

Just email: [email protected] and put “Insider Tip Sheet” in the subject header. Let me know how long you’ve been at it and where you are based. I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

===

DOES YOUR WRITING NEED A BOOST?

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Creating sets and getting stage time won’t help one bit if you aren’t creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

030 FINDING YOUR ULTIMATE AUDIENCE [podcast]

At some point you will discover that your jokes appeal to a certain type of audience. Hopefully, that group will be full of people you enjoy performing for. When this happens, you have found your “Ultimate Audience”.

Early on, I don’t want you to get to hung up on finding out who they are. Rather, I’d suggest performing for anyone, anywhere and simply getting better.

However, after about 100 sets, you should start noticing when things are working and when they aren’t. Finding your Ultimate Audience may be as simple as asking:

Once you identify your people, you can make huge strides in your career. In this episode we talk about:

And much, much more.

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or  STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

===

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR "INSIDER TIP SHEET"

Get exclusive information delivered right to your inbox. The tip sheet is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a monthly challenge to get your comedy career on the right track.

Just email: [email protected] and put “Insider Tip Sheet” in the subject header. Let me know how long you’ve been at it and where you are based. I promise to keep your email anonymous and spam free.

===

DOES YOUR WRITING NEED A BOOST?

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Creating sets and getting stage time won’t help one bit if you aren’t creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

Going full time into comedy can be intimidating. Leaving the comfort of a job with benefits for a life on the road is a dream for some folks. For others, it is a nightmare. Former School Of Laughs student Brian Bates flipped the switch this past month after twenty years at a TV station job where he probably could have retired. Brian shares the process he took - and the sacrifices he is willing to make - in order to become a full time comedian.

Specifically, we talk about:

• Why he took a class in the first place
• Juggling jokes and the day job
• Early networking that paid off
• Why hanging out at your home club is worth it
• How being heckled has paid off
• The importance of saving some bucks

Gavin asks Brian about:

• How much stage time he needed to go pro
• Writing believable material
• Writing for others (for money)
• Becoming a regional “go to guy” for Headliners to request
• How to get killer audio by working for free
• Getting paid by SiriusXM

Follow Brian Bates on Twitter | Watch him being heckled on YOUTUBE

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

===

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR A POST

===

DOES YOUR WRITING NEED HELP?

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Creating sets and getting stage time won't help one bit if you aren't creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

Going full time into comedy can be intimidating. Leaving the comfort of a job with benefits for a life on the road is a dream for some folks. For others, it is a nightmare. Former School Of Laughs student Brian Bates flipped the switch this past month after twenty years at a TV station job where he probably could have retired. Brian shares the process he took - and the sacrifices he is willing to make - in order to become a full time comedian.

Specifically, we talk about:

Gavin asks Brian about:

Follow Brian Bates on Twitter | Watch him being heckled on YOUTUBE

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or  STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

===

NEVER MISS A PODCAST OR A POST

===

DOES YOUR WRITING NEED HELP?

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Creating sets and getting stage time won't help one bit if you aren't creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

This episode is a must listen for comics who:

• Only have a few jokes and can't seem to decide what order is best
• Are more established but constantly find "dead spots" in their show
• Any comedian who struggles with consistency on stage despite decent material

In this episode we talk about building a set that flows naturally. By thinking in advance about your shows you can create a logical flow that enables every joke to shine. Knowing what your jokes say about you is a big part of that. We cover a lot of ground in this episode that took years for me to fully understand.

Specifically, we talk about:

• Building trust and establishing common ground
• Establishing your point of view (P.O.V.)
• What to do if you don't have a strong P.O.V. just yet
• Looking for chances to add lines to call back later
• How to bring it all full circle
• What you should consider in your closing routine

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

This episode is a must listen for comics who:

In this episode we talk about building a set that flows naturally. By thinking in advance about your shows you can create a logical flow that enables every joke to shine. Knowing what your jokes say about you is a big part of that. We cover a lot of ground in this episode that took years for me to fully understand.

Specifically, we talk about:

If you enjoy this PODCAST please subscribe in iTunes , or  STITCHER and leave a comment and ranking.

This year has been a tremendous journey. Getting to know the listeners and readers of the School Of Laughs podcast and blog has been a really, really cool thing. From connecting with folks in over 49 countries, to meeting many new comics through the site – Gavin and I have been overwhelmed with the positive response.

In this episode we take an inventory of the shows progress through its first half year. Specifically, we talk about:

• episodes that were downloaded the most
• episodes that were listened to the least
• episodes that triggered the most engagement and discussion
• blog articles that got shared the most
• which blogs caused a bit of a stir
• what makes for a good title
• the impact the site has had on a few comics
• how many listeners and readers we have
• the top 5 countries we are followed in (one real surprise!)

We also look ahead and reveal some plans for 2015. Including:

• a new way to engage with the School Of Laughs
• a few topics we will cover in upcoming episodes
• my plans for possible overseas travel
• the types of comics I would like to have on for interviews (you can help)

And lastly, piggybacking off of the last blog “What Is Holding You Back?”, we offer up a goal tracking worksheet that can help you organize and set over 30 goals for the upcoming year.

GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET

The feedback I have already received this year inspired me to create a 2015 Goals Worksheet. This .pdf is designed to help inspire you to create, measure and improve upon over twenty goals for your comedy career.

Whether you are reading this post in December, February or August all you have to do is request this free worksheet and I’ll send it your way.

If you would like a 2015 Goals Worksheet, please join our INSIDER TIPS NEWSLETTER by e-mailing me at [email protected]. Put “INSIDER TIPS / 2015 GOALS WORKSHEET” in the subject line. Also, let me know your name, where you are based, and how long you have been at it. (If you are already a subscriber, you will automatically get the sheet.)

I’ll send you the worksheet and you will receive the bi-monthly NEWSLETTER. It is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a challenge to get your comedy career on the right track. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter anytime. No hard feelings.

===

ON A SIDE NOTE

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Goals, stage time and connections don't help one bit of you aren't creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

Thanks and have a prosperous (and measurable) 2015!

==

Rik Roberts is a 23 year comedy veteran. Still performing over 100 shows a year, Rik also operates the School Of Laughs workshops and classes. The courses both LIVE and ONLINE are designed to help you get bigger, better and more bookable. To find out more about these classes or to ask Rik a question, simply shoot an email to [email protected].

This year has been a tremendous journey. Getting to know the listeners and readers of the School Of Laughs podcast and blog has been a really, really cool thing. From connecting with folks in over 49 countries, to meeting many new comics through the site – Gavin and I have been overwhelmed with the positive response.

In this episode we take an inventory of the shows progress through its first half year. Specifically, we talk about:

We also look ahead and reveal some plans for 2015. Including:

And lastly, piggybacking off of the last blog “What Is Holding You Back?”, we offer up a goal tracking worksheet that can help you organize and set over 30 goals for the upcoming year.

GET YOUR FREE GOAL TRACKER WORKSHEET

The feedback I have already received this year inspired me to create a 2015 Goals Worksheet. This .pdf is designed to help inspire you to create, measure and improve upon over twenty goals for your comedy career.

Whether you are reading this post in December, February or August all you have to do is request this free worksheet and I’ll send it your way.

If you would like a 2015 Goals Worksheet, please join our INSIDER TIPS NEWSLETTER by e-mailing me at [email protected]. Put “INSIDER TIPS / 2015 GOALS WORKSHEET” in the subject line. Also, let me know your name, where you are based, and how long you have been at it. (If you are already a subscriber, you will automatically get the sheet.)

I’ll send you the worksheet and you will receive the bi-monthly NEWSLETTER. It is full of comedy news, blog recaps, podcast summaries and a challenge to get your comedy career on the right track. You can unsubscribe from the newsletter anytime. No hard feelings.

===

ON A SIDE NOTE

If you feel your writing is holding you back, please consider enrolling in the online writing class. Goals, stage time and connections don't help one bit of you aren't creating solid material. For more info on that click here.

Thanks and have a prosperous (and measurable) 2015!

==

Rik Roberts is a 23 year comedy veteran. Still performing over 100 shows a year, Rik also operates the School Of Laughs workshops and classes. The courses both LIVE and ONLINE are designed to help you get bigger, better and more bookable. To find out more about these classes or to ask Rik a question, simply shoot an email to [email protected].

Six time Letterman veteran Jeff Caldwell is a prime example of what a comedian should be. He's smart, insightful, observational, opinionated, and clever. On top of that, he's clean (unless a brawl is about to break out).

We talk about:

• His take on David Letterman retiring
• Process for working in new material
• His comedy "mentors"

and much more.

Whether at a comedy club or a corporate event, Jeff delivers smart, funny jokes on topics ranging from the daily news to the daily grind, subtly tailoring his material to fit any crowd. Along with his six Letterman sets, he has made three appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and made his Comedy Central debut on Live at Gotham. Jeff has appeared with Keith Olbermann, Dennis Miller, on SiriusXM Radio, toured with Jon Stewart, and is a regular on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio show.

A former civil and environmental engineer, he also blogs at the Huffington Post, commenting humorously on scientific topics affecting the world today.

This interview was recorded in between shows at Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington, KY over the Thanksgiving holidays.

After you listen, get to know Jeff even more ...

Buy his CD "I'm no epidemiologist"

Check him out: http://www.standupguy.com

Watch his videos

Follow on Twitter

Facebook

LinkedIn

==

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS:

Six time Letterman veteran Jeff Caldwell is a prime example of what a comedian should be. He's smart, insightful, observational, opinionated, and clever. On top of that, he's clean (unless a brawl is about to break out).

We talk about:

and much more.

Whether at a comedy club or a corporate event, Jeff delivers smart, funny jokes on topics ranging from the daily news to the daily grind, subtly tailoring his material to fit any crowd. Along with his six Letterman sets, he has made three appearances on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and made his Comedy Central debut on Live at Gotham. Jeff has appeared with Keith Olbermann, Dennis Miller, on SiriusXM Radio, toured with Jon Stewart, and is a regular on the nationally syndicated Bob and Tom radio show. 

A former civil and environmental engineer, he also blogs at the Huffington Post, commenting humorously on scientific topics affecting the world today.

This interview was recorded in between shows at Comedy Off Broadway in Lexington, KY over the Thanksgiving holidays.

After you listen, get to know Jeff even more ...

Buy his CD "I'm no epidemiologist"

Check him out: http://www.standupguy.com 

Watch his videos

Follow on Twitter

Facebook   

LinkedIn

==

ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF LAUGHS: