Stand Up Comedians: The #1 Thing You Need for a Private Party

     I learned very early in my career the importance of great sound on the comedy stage. Nearly every comedian recognizes the sweet sound of a good mic that will make jokes soar. Well-planned comedy clubs provide sound that makes the voice sing and the laughter comes back to the performer's ears like waves.

     Unfortunately, when you walk outside of the boundaries of the comedy club and into the realm of private parties that luxury fades quickly. Nothing is more exasperating to a comedian than bad sound. A comedian's voice is his instrument and the betrayal of a bad microphone will take away confidence as the voice is lost in crackles and electric screams. Rather than being lured into this bad scene by the private party paycheck, plan for it. Being prepared to fix acoustical problems is one of your most important jobs.

     It is a dilemma that is easily solved. Bring your own microphone and your own amplifier. They will pay for themselves a hundred times over. The great news is that a stand up comedian doesn't need the exotic equipment of the musician. A simple microphone on a long cord attached to a small amplifier does the trick for an average size private party - 50 to even 300 people. I also recommend a small stage light especially if you anticipate videotaping and posting to YouTube to increase your social media presence. Anticipating problems will increase your value as you easily problem-solve for any environment. With a bit of pre-planning, it is possible to make the private party a very fun and rewarding experience.

HumorousSpeakersBureau

Sally Edwards is the president of the Humorous Speakers Bureau and a professional corporate comedian.

Corporate Comedians - What You Need to Get Booked

After talking to countless corporate event planners as president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau, I can tell you that the most important thing a comedian needs to get booked as a corporate event entertainer is a great video in front of a corporate audience.  I've seen flashy web sites that are brilliant in their display and SEO opportunity splashed across countless headers.  I've seen advertised books,  glorious "Contact Me" forms and comedy club performances as comedians "kill" in front of a comedy club audience.

Nope.  Can't say it will sell an act.  ...  "Where's the video," asks the event planner.

Let me repeat - The most important thing a corporate comedian needs is to have is a videotape of himself/herself performing customized clean corporate comedy on a large stage in from of a corporate audience.  (No corporate bookings yet?  Tape yourself performing clean comedy on a large stage).

Bookers want to look and laugh.  They want to see and hear what you do.  Print will not sell you.  (If I tell you I bake the best chocolate chip cookies in the world, would you believe me?  I bet you would want to be your own personal judge of my baking abilities.)

No amount of press or advertising or letters of appreciation will sell you like a corporate event video.  I know it is not easy to get this polished product of a sales tool.  I can only tell you - it is what works.


For more info see:  humorousspeakersbureau.com

Five Secrets to Effective Corporate Comedy

Performing Effective Corporate Comedy is Best Achieved by Following These Five Guidelines:

1)  Corporate Comedy Creates a Fun, Non-Threatening Environment

Corporate Comedy is an artform.  It is a type of humor that is appreciated by event planners seeking clean, funny comedy that is not offensive and creates a buzz.  Generally the comedy is delivered in an auditorium, a hotel meeting room or an on-site all-purpose room.  If your comedy is inappropriate for this type of setting, you will know immediately.  The ambience and crowd reaction will train a corporate comedian as to what material is appropriate the minute he or she begins to speak.

2)  Customize

With a little research into your client's business you secure a definite edge in your performance.  "Google" the company and learn about what makes it tick.  Tweak your jokes with this information and you will gain great respect for your time and personal interest.

3)  Arrive on time

I recommend arriving at least one hour prior to your performance.  It is wise to do a sound check and talk with the audio-visual personnel so that everything runs smoothly  Arriving early puts everyone at ease - including you!

4)  Dress as if you are performing on TV

 It is always better to be over-dressed rather than appearing casual at a more formal event.  Dress in professional attire.

5)  Make your Audience the Stars of the Show

Many new corporate comedians overlook the fact that it is important to make your audience members the stars of the show.  This is so effective in producing a memorable show. "Customizing" a show is the first step to making your performance personalized.  I recommend taking your efforts one step further and including audience members on stage in your performance.  "Taking the stage" is an experience that guests will remember for years to come!

See HumorousSpeakersBureau.com

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.

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