Teach Yourself to Smile

 

 A Christian Comedian Learns to Smile

     As a Christian comedian who enjoys studying human nature, I am firmly convinced that there are two types of people who wander the earth - (1) natural gifted smilers who willingly and effortlessly smile throughout the day and (2) those who don't.   The gifted smilers are the people to whom you are immediately attracted because a big smile is a sign of acceptance. Gifted smilers tend to make friends easily.  They’re most often outgoing and fun extroverts.   Those who are not natural smilers feel like they are smiling, but guess what – they’re not!

     I was not a gifted smiler and my husband, Bert, made it very clear I had to make the effort to learn to smile if I wanted to be a successful performer and an approachable female Christian comedian.  

     Smiling and happiness do not go hand-in-hand. I know many very happy people who don't show their internal happiness through facial expression.  I recognize these people because for twenty-five years, I was one of them. Happy on the inside, I had no idea it wasn’t reaching all the way up to my face.  I really thought I was smiling and I was shocked to find out that I wasn’t.

      My husband, who is also in the comedy business, insisted I teach myself to smile. I began forcibly making myself smile on stage and in the company of friends. It was a major and constant initial effort.  It felt completely unnatural and insincere because I was always thinking about forcing a smile and it seemed contrived.  I felt I was putting on an act and not truly being myself. However, I quickly realized the irony!   If I feel happy on the inside, a smile on my face is actually a truer reflection of my spirit.  It was time to catch up to the gifted smilers and to discover what it felt like to portray true happiness.  The effect was instantaneous!

     I immediately found putting a smile on my face changed my interaction with friends, family, acquaintances and even my Christian comedy audiences!  As I learned to smile my confidence grew in both my personal life and on stage.  People more willingly approached me and I experienced a notable influx of positive energy.  Smiling also provided a tremendous improvement in communication skills.  Making the effort to smile has made me more comfortable in my own skin.

      Do you know someone at work or in your neighborhood whose expression rarely changes?  Don’t be too quick to judge these people.  They may feel joy on the inside and do not realize they’re communicating gloom and doom on the outside.  A stock line of the comedy club comic is “Sir, are you having a good time?  …. Then why don’t you tell your face about it!”

     Smiling is a gift from my husband and I am incredibly grateful for his lessons. I no longer envy the natural smilers and their inherited gift. I believe smiling is a genetic blessing and it also can be a learned behavior. How wonderful we can learn to smile as easily as those who are gifted! It is a positive way to live and grow.

     Look in the mirror.  If you’re happy on the inside but you see no smile on the outside, you might want to tell your face about it!

The Radio Interview - What Stand Up Comedians Need to Know

I'll never forget my first radio interview as a stand up comedian.  I was on the road in a small Ohio town and I was asked to go to the local radio station to promote my stand up comedy show at a nearby comedy club.  I had strict instructions from the radio station.  "Write out five questions that will lead into jokes.   Tell the jokes."  End of instructions.

What the radio station failed to mention is that many radio hosts may step right on every one of those five set-ups and/or punchlines and completely ruin the timing of a joke.  That can make a radio interview very painful.  Comedians know that the best hosts are either highly sensitive to the talent of their individual guests or they are former stand up comics themselves.

This type of radio interview remained the status quo until the day that I walked into the WGN Radio studio and handed my sheet of questions leading to jokes to Steve Cochran, a true veteran of outstanding radio (and a stand up comedian).  Steve, looked at me, unsmiling, and said, "Oh you can throw that away.  We're going to wing it."  My heart stopped.  "Wing it," I thought.  That's what I've been trained "not to do" by countless radio personalities.  I was totally unprepared mentally.  That day, I began to "wing it" in shock.  It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Years later, I still recall this first unrehearsed radio interview every time I walk through the doors of a new radio station.  This past week, I co-hosted the "Down and Dirty" Show with Frank Fontana.  I could not have been more at ease. Frank is a wonderful host who knows how to interview effortlessly.  I've learned a lot since my first encounter with Steve Cochran of WGN Radio and I now interpret the experience of a live radio interview on my own terms:  Talking on the radio is an experience nearly identical to talking to an old friend on the telephone.  You listen, you laugh, you chat, you laugh.  What could be natural?!  Would you talk to an old friend with a handful of prepared notes?  Of course not.  Hearing a natural and fun exchange is what makes radio enjoyable and engaging.  The listeners become caught up in that camaraderie.

If you are being interviewed on the radio, throw those notes away.  Look at the interviewer as if he is a long lost friend.  Catch up on news.  And as Steve Cochran most brilliantly put it, "Just wing it!"

Frank Fontana Interviews Clean Comedian Sally Edwards

Series: Funny Keynote Speakers and Corporate Comedians Who Market Intelligently - Jim Richardson

Jim Richardson does it all:  

Jim Richardson (1) performs as a funny keynote speaker and corporate comedian at corporate events, (2) mentors new talent by way of his informative workshops and (3) sends out an informative and motivating newsletter. A tireless top talent, engaging writer on a global level and a reigning marketer, I am driven to say, "That's how it's done folks!"

Go to Jim Richardson's
Keynote Speeches and Seminars Page
jimrichardson.com/jimtalks.shtml

Those that can benefit from Jim's teachings are:

Stand-up comics

Improvisation and Sketch Groups, Comedy Teams

Writers

Business Keynote Speakers

Politicians 

Agents, Mangers, Casting Directors, Comedy Clubs and Comedy Producers

Radio and TV Hosts, DJs

Health Professionals

Lawyers

Salesmen

Educators and Students

Ministers

Actors, Filmmakers, Photographers

Singers

Ventriloquists,

Puppeteers & Other Solo Acts

Singers

To increase both the range and proficiency of writing and performing techniques -

Everyone can always use a little improvement!

What Jim Richardson wants you to know:

Steps to take before becoming Jim Richardson's client:

a)  Review information on Jim Richardson's web pages, especially

     1.  Check list of topics you need to master:

          http://stand-upcomedyworkshop.com/IntermediateAndAdvancedCourseTitles.html

     2.  Coaching and Co-Writing Procedures:

          http://www.stand-upcomedyworkshop.com/coach.html

          Scroll down for special investment discounts and convenient order form

b)  If you have questions, Jim Richardson will address them directly.  

     Contact:  Jim@JimRichardson.com.

Set up your free orientation appointment now for a phone or video chat at a mutually convenient time!

Jim@JimRichardson.com

Comedy, Coach and Co-Writer

Phone:  415-877-4424

Snail Mail:

Jim Richardson, Owner

Organized Comedy

P. O. Box 992

Mill Valley, CA  94942-0992

Series: Keynote Speakers and Corporate Comedians Who Market Intelligently

This week I am highlighting funny keynote speakers and corporate comedians who do it right!  Their successful careers are evidence of creative ability and good business sense.

Humorous Speakers Bureau

Customized Corporate Comedy Put-ons, Emcee, and Hilarious Interview Put-ons

Harry Freedman

      Harry Freedman will create the perfect fake industry expert for your group, that has everyone fooled until they are roaring with laughter!  Harry Freedman is the only individual ever to have been profiled in the business sections of The New York Times, Miami Herald, Newsday, and Int’l Herald Tribune.

     With nearly three decades of professional comedy experience, from the comedy clubs of Las Vegas to the corporate boardroom, Harry Freedman is a comic you can trust. As a speaker, he has performed for hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies, and is frequently rated ‘best speaker’ at conferences. As a stand-up comedian, Harry is often opening for Ray Romano; has appeared on “Everybody Loves Raymond;” and was a staff writer for “Caroline’s Comedy Hour.” Harry has also written and directed a short film, “30 Minutes,” which received terrific acclaim at the NY Int’l Independent Film Festival.

     In addition, corporate audiences enjoy Harry’s video shorts, where he interviews selected attendees (in character), to create a hilarious 8-10 minute piece that is played following his speech, as well as his humorous videographies of the whole conferences. So when you think of finding the right performer to give your people a laugh-fest they will love and thank you for, two key words make all the difference: HarryFreedman.

Series - Funny Keynote Speakers and Corporate Comedians Who Market Intelligently

Jeanne Robertson

Generally, a clean corporate comedian or funny keynote speaker will have a business model.  In general terms, this can be inspired by watching another professional funny speaker in performance, in demeanor or even his or her ability to market themselves.

I have a business model is the form of a very funny lady who tells funny stories.  Her name is Jeanne Robertson.  She carries herself beautifully, tells stories naturally and is hip enough to be on Sirius Satellite Radio!

Jeanne Robertson is a professional funny speaker specializing in humor based on life experiences.  She knows that a sense of humor is a strategy for success.  Speaking to large audiences regularly, Jeanne Robertson utilizes her positive and funny style to engage her fans.

Jeanne Robertson is easy to notice. At 6'2" she is very recognizable.  Jeanne adeptly turns life experiences into funny material that elicits laughter.  Jeanne's very special Southern drawl adds to her uniqueness and leave her audience thinking about her message!

Humorous Speakers Bureau Series - Funny Keynote Speakers and Corporate Comedians Who Market Intelligently

This is a series highlighting funny keynote speakers and clean corporate comedians who use both their creativity and intellect to market successfully.  To a be a successful public speaker, it is so important to combine these two aspects of the business.  As president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau and a clean female corporate comedian, there are keynote speakers and clean corporate comedians I admire for their business sense in marketing and social media presence.  I am presenting these speakers daily, but in no particular order.  They are all No. 1 in my opinion.

Humorous Speakers Bureau - Greg Schwem

     Greg Schwem responds to his client's need for customized entertainment.  When working for his corporate clients who include Microsoft, IBM and McDonald's, he stresses the "custom" aspect of his corporate comedy show. Greg Schwem will research a client's website extensively and include tasteful funny material about their people, products and culture.  Greg Schwem's videos are updated regularly on his web site and demonstrate the hilarity of customized corporate comedy.

Greg Schwem  Business Humorist/Corporate Emcee/ Syndicated Columnist/Author

"King of the Hill in the world of corporate comedy!" - Chicago Tribune

web:  www.gregschwem.com

watch:  www.youtube.com/gregschwem

follow:  www.twitter.com/corpcomic

Click here to read about Greg in Parade Magazine

Click here to learn about Greg's book

Funny Keynote Speakers Who Market Intelligently

Funny Keynote Speakers and Intelligent Marketing

This is a series highlighting funny keynote speakers and corporate comedians who use both their creativity and intellect to market successfully.  As president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau and a clean female comedian, I know the importance of effectively combining these two aspects of the public speaking business in order to establish a strong customer base with recurring appearances at events.  I am presenting these speakers daily, but in no particular order.  They are all No. 1 in my opinion.

David Michael


Corporate Speaker David Michael believes that Verbal communication is vital to success in business especially in today's atmosphere.  David Michael has concentrated his career on making people more effective speakers and presenters.  By combining his education (University of Pittsburgh degree in communications, BA) and his vast experience in the corporate and entertainment worlds, he has come up with a program called, "Secrets from the Greenroom" and written a very informative book by the same name.

"Secrets from the Greenroom"  - Buy Now

Keeping up with David Michael is easy because he maintains a current and informative blog:  http://www.davidmichaellive.blogspot.com.  

I encourage you to "follow!"

Series: Funny Keynote Speakers Who Market Intelligently - Number One

As a clean corporate comedian and president of the Humorous Speakers Bureau, I know that there is a long list of "must-haves" in a humorist or funny keynote speaker to make their career a success.  A creative mind is a genuine asset but it is also necessary to be an expert marketer in order to reach your potential customers. Keynote speakers who seem to have tapped into this professional market in a resourceful way are as follows:  I admire their energy and drive!  This is the first of a ten-part series.

David Schwensen:  Dave's inside knowledge of the entertainment industry was earned as Talent Coordinator for the television show "A&E's - An Evening at the Improv" and The Improv Comedy Clubs in Hollywood and New York.  He also acted as a consultant for many television shows including "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with David Letterman," "The Today Show", "Comedy Central", "HBO", "MTV" and "Disney."  Dave's comedy workshops are based on his book "How to Be a Working Comic" and he has designed and instructs courses for Cleveland State University and others on the value of humor and creativity as productive networking and team building tools.  He is a keynote speaker and a trainer, and the author of five books.

Now David Schwensen shares what he knows about the speaking industry in his seminars and keynotes which pinpoint the value of creativity and humor in communications. See: http://davepresents.com/

Keynote Speaker Dave Schwensen