Staying focused as a Corporate Comedian and Funny Keynote Speaker

Time to Get Up and Stay Focused!

I have been keynote speaking and performing clean stand up comedy for twenty-five years and this is long enough to see speaking careers go up and speaking careers go down. Simply checking out a speaker or comedian's timeline on Facebook will give a quick peek at the cycle of stardom and the toll it takes on a performing career.  The most desperate/depressing posts are generally by presenters who made it "big" at the start of their career and feel it will never get that good again.  They spend the rest of their life floundering as they try to regain that feeling of greatness achieved by way of a coveted television spot or sitcom.  Of course, there are also the comics who feel they've never really "made it" and traveled a misguided road only to be met with one disappointment after the another.

How is it possible to stay happy and focused without encountering a lifelong roller coaster ride of those ups and downs?  I can tell you that I see that answer with complete clarity.

First, ask yourself, "What is a funny keynote speaker or corporate comedian?"  The answer most people give is quite obvious. "Someone who makes people laugh."

It is not complicated.  A comedian is not described as a "star"; a comedian is not described as someone who has their own sitcom; a comedian is not described as someone who has the most YouTube hits or followers on Twitter.

A funny keynote speaker and corporate comedian is someone who makes people laugh.  If you take your own ego out of the equation and appreciate the fact that you were given the awesome gift of making people laugh and feel happy, you will learn to appreciate and love your craft regardless of ups and downs.  A speaker changes a person's life for the better.  How fortunate we are as speakers to be given this gift.  Comedy is about your audience.  They are the true stars of your own show.  If a speaker can appreciate this very basic concept, they will always feel successful and blessed and no longer be a victim of their endless internal struggle.

The sweetest sound to me are the words, "I haven't laughed this hard in years!"  That is truly the sound of success.

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Take Me To The Humorous Speakers Bureau Web Site.

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http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health
http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

What You Can Learn From Robin Thicke

Robin Thicke and Paul Patton

There's No Escaping the Universe

     Robin Thicke is on his knees begging forgiveness from his wife, Paula Patton, who is now separated from the nationally televised "twerkee."  On Friday night, in front of a packed house in Madison Square Garden Robin Thicke went from sinner to preacher as he talked about the importance of forgiveness within a family.

     Interesting that he is just now waking up from his coma of debauchery.

     Show business is brutal to relationships.  Everything is caught on tape.  What Robin Thicke failed to do is care.  

     Show business is a world of more, more, more.  Robin Thicke failed at life appreciation.  It is a lesson that replays itself at countless levels in the universe daily.  Robin Thicke got caught up in the game of sex, fame and money.  It's so easy to do at his level.

     Being moral is the great leveler.  It always catches up in the end.  Ironically, it hurts the one who runs from it the fastest. 

     Robin Thicke delivered pain and is now enduring pain.  It is the twerking circle of life.  No one escapes.

http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health

http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

The Oscars - Surviving the Night with Leonardo Dicaprio

Leonardo Dicaprio at The Oscars 2014

It was fun watching the Oscars last night but truth be told, I don't think I've ever seen the show all the way through in my lifetime without dozing off at least once.  The one thing that does keep me entertained is using empathy throughout the show and saying "what if?"  Not "what if" for me as a comedian and entertainer but "what if" for every actor, director, producer, agent, manager, etc. sitting in the audience who was trying to imagine how the night would end.

The "what if" last night was most personified in the face of a reserved Leonardo Dicaprio who acted his guts out in the The Wolf of Wall Street.  Leonardo Dicaprio and Jonah Hill knew they had done a heck of a job telling the wild and indulgent life story of New York Stockbroker Jordan Belfort.  I'd seen Jonah in an interview on Ellen just days earlier beaming about his ability to do such a convincing Long Island accent that people were asking where his immediate relatives live.

My thoughts turned to how many times Leonardo Dicaprio has attended the Oscars only to sit in the front rows and go home empty-handed.  How many hours did he prepare for the night? What is it like to sit in that Oscar audience and appear pleasant when the day and night seem to go on forever?  Does the heart sink like a heavy ship when names are read?  Even though you seem to be "on top of the world" do you feel like a loser?  Does depression follow or does the loss motivate?

When the dance numbers and commercials run, I am consumed by getting into the minds of all that is human.  That is the truest element of a Hollywood award ceremony for me.

http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health
http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

Laugh to Good Health - Comedian and Keynote Speaker Sally Edwards

Laugh to Good Health -  Keynote Speaker and Comedian Sally Edwards

Funny Female Clean Comedian and funny Keynote Speaker, Sally Edwards will make your event a success with her squeaky-clean humorous stories and hilarious stand-up comedy.  Sally's funny clean comedy leaves her audiences teary-eyed.  Sally Edwards knows the thrill of being a funny comedic speaker and performing clean and very funny family-based comedy.   Sally Edwards will tell you and show you that laughter leads to good health.  Enjoy the benefits of lowered blood pressure, a boost in energy and a stronger immune system.  Everyone feels better after a good laugh!

A favorite humorous speaker of corporate events professional clean female Clean Comedian and funny Keynote Speaker, Sally Edwards, began her humor training at Chicago's "Second City" under the direction of the legendary Del Close ("Saturday Night Live").  Excelling at funny keynote interactive performance Sally Edwards pursued a solo comedy career after many successful performances at Navy Pier, The http://victorygardens.organd Harper College and Zanies Comedy Club.  Sally's clean humor and high energy presentations have been featured on Showtime and the A&E Network.  Sally Edwards was the only talent chosen to appear on Showtime's Humor Network three times.  Television appearances also include "Chicagoing" and ABC and WGN morning television.

http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.

http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health

http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

You Make Us Proud Jimmy Fallon - White Men Can Dance

      I'm going to be honest with you. Prior to Jimmy Fallon being designated as Jay Leno's replacement on The Tonight Show, I had very little knowledge of him. His hour of entertainment was just a little bit too late for me to watch and still be up at 5:30 a.m. when my five rescue dogs wake me up to go to dog park.  Now, with the earlier scheduling, I've become a fan. Jimmy Fallon is incredibly multi-talented! When I was getting into stand up comedy, my mother once told me - "You should learn to dance, sing, tell jokes and develop as many talents as you possibly can." That's how it was in my parents' olden days - it was called vaudeville. Nowadays, I don't see comics doing that. Watching The Tonight Show, I am stunned and amazed by a talent that does it all - often out-singing and out-dancing the stars themselves.Jimmy you make us proud!

      And by the way, thanks for listening to my mom.

     I'm going to be honest with you. Prior to Jimmy Fallon being designated as Jay Leno's replacement on The Tonight Show, I had very little knowledge of him. His hour of entertainment was just a little bit too late for me to watch and still be up at 5:30 a.m. when my five rescue dogs wake me up to go to dog park.  Now, with the earlier scheduling, I've become a fan. Jimmy Fallon is incredibly multi-talented! When I was getting into stand up comedy, my mother once told me - "You should learn to dance, sing, tell jokes and develop as many talents as you possibly can." That's how it was in my parents' olden days - it was called vaudeville. Nowadays, I don't see comics doing that. Watching The Tonight Show, I am stunned and amazed by a talent that does it all - often out-singing and out-dancing the stars themselves. Jimmy you make us proud!

      And by the way, thanks for listening to my mom.

http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health
http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

Comedy and a Study in Evisceration: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Watching the last Tonight Show and I saw a man in pain.  It reminds me of how cruel the comedy business can be no matter what level of success your talent has reached.  To put it quite plainly, Jay Leno had his guts ripped out.  The Tonight Show was his baby and his life and I watched NBC grab it right out of his arms with no apparent remorse.  His mission was to smile and accept it. Considering the magnitude of the moment, he did the very best he could.

Being a comedian myself, I've seen this occur repeatedly to many comedy careers but not quite at the same level.  Many comedians experience the disappointment of not getting a gig, a show or a week's booking.  It all hurts.  Some comics make it to a prominent level in show business at a young age and never regain that status.  Careers can take a roller coaster path of perpetually heading down.  Comedians reaching retirement age wince as they realize how "old" they have grown in comedy clubs.  A cut in pay usually triggers this realization.  Again, it all hurts.

When I listened to Jay reflecting on how many awesome and famous people he had met and engaged with, I realized how short my list of accomplishments was in comparison.  I was aghast that he was retiring and I am not even making a dent in such a huge arsenal of success.

And then I remembered.  Life is a matter of choices.  What Jay Leno doesn't have is my three beautiful children who are my own reason for living.  When it came time to make a choice as a young woman between career ambitions and family, I chose the latter.  I've never had any regrets.  I am the richest person I know and not even NBC can take that away from me.

Leno's Name is Wiped from the Building

http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.

http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health

http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy

Dealing With Teenagers - A Comedian's Guide

DEALING WITH TEENAGERS

NEVER STOOP TO THE LEVEL OF YOUR HECKLER

     I’m not sure how a mom nosedives from being the greatest person in the world - who gets hugs, kisses
and reassurances of love all day -  every day to being “lame” “pathetic” and “kinda creepy” - but it happens.  The plummet comes unexpectedly.  Sometimes it starts at such an early age one is totally caught off guard or, at the other extreme, it starts late  - long after you’ve bragged to your friends you don’t have “that” problem with your teenager.

     I can tell you right now raising boys is easier.  For years parents told me, “Wait until your sons become teenagers.  You’re going to have so much comedy material!”  I kept waiting and waiting … nothing …. nothing….  No new jokes about teenagers.  They seemed so rational compared to my own female way of thinking.  They got along well with their friends.  There was no arguing, gossiping, backstabbing or giggling or worrying about who liked whom. (It was then I realized men don’t exchange any personal information.  It’s as if my teenage boys were in the Witness Protection Program!)   

     Life for my two sons, Brendan and Steven, revolved around video games, online computer games, studying, listening to music and sports scores.  If I knew men were so uncomplicated when I was single, I would have had a heck of a lot easier time dating.  I wouldn’t have spent any time trying to figure them out.  They’re very easy to figure out.  What you see is what you get!

     Then came my daughter Christine. 

      She turned 14 and I thought I was home free – no traumas, no crying fits and no crises.  I thought I was on “Easy Street.”  It’s frightening how those emotional teenage years sneak up even though I was warned they were coming.  As middle school turned to high school, drama reared its ugly head.  The volume in the house seemed to increase daily.  One thing is for sure - when a teenage girl suffers, everybody suffers.  Teenage girls make sure of that.

      How could I have been so clueless when things started to change?   Was my daughter transforming the day the word “Mom!” subtly turned into the words “Oh god, Mom!!”  Could I have missed the nuance?  Or maybe it started with a bit of teasing when we were out shopping together.

      “Mom, you’re not really going to buy that, are you?” 

     I looked up at Christine as I sifted through the 50% off dresses and clutched my 20% off Kohl’s coupon in my hand.  “Yes.  Why?”

     Christine shook her head, “I thought you picked it out as a joke.” 

     I placed the dress back on the rack.  Were my choices really that bad?

     Having attended a Woodlands Academy, a Catholic all girls’school for thirteen years (K through 12), I still have no confidence in the way I dress myself.  I don’t find joy in shopping (much to the delight of my husband!)  I walk around department stores aimlessly.  My fantasy is to desperately latch on to a stylishly dressed career woman, fall to my knees and beg, “Won’t you please tell me what looks good?  I don’t have a clue!  Would you adopt me as your own for a day?” 

     My best bet is to wear what I know.  I’d be perfectly happy leaving the house every day wearing a plaid skirt, a white blouse, a navy blue blazer, navy blue knee socks and saddle shoes. It could work.  I always thought I looked pretty decent getting off the school bus.

    “Mom, that dress was lame!” Christine said.  “That’s probably why it’s on the 50%-off rack anyway.  If you go on stage, you want to look good, not creepy.  Find some clothes that don’t look so pathetic.”  Lame, creepy and pathetic – in that order.  I won the trifecta!  I was administered my dose of “This ain’t gonna get any easier” reality while accepting the fact that my adoring little girl was becoming an all-knowing teenager.  From that point on, I was reminded I was oblivious to all that is good and cool in the world.  

    Performing stand-up comedy helps a comedian develop people skills that can be effectively transferred to everyday living.  While raising my teenage daughter, I kept one skill very close to the vest.  “Never stoop to the level of your heckler!”  If a comedian is experiencing a torturous night of being heckled on stage, the best advice for that comedian is to take the high road.  Like a teenager, a heckler is usually out-of-control, irrational and loud.  Words are meant to injure.  If you stoop to the level of your heckler, it can get really ugly.

     I tried summoning the same control at home I use on stage when dealing with a heckler.  I desperately tried to stay above the fray. Some days I was more successful than others, but the consequence of failure was always on my mind. 

    It is so important for moms to set the standard for behavior just as a comedian sets the standard for his or her own show.  Calm interaction with a heckler includes no disrespectful name calling, no cussing, no criticism and no emotional outbursts.  Calm interaction with a teenager includes no disrespectful name calling, no cussing, no criticism and no emotional outbursts.   

     It’s no easy task.  In the words of every teenage daughter, “Good luck with that!”

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Sally Edwards is a professional clean corporate comedian who performs clean comedy for women at a national level.  See http://ComedyBySally.com

This article is an excerpt from Sally Edwards' new book Go With The Fear available at Amazon.com.



http://humorousspeakersbureau.com Sally Edwards is the president of The Humorous Speakers Bureau marketing corporate comedians and funny keynote motivational speakers.
http://sallyedwards.org - Laugh to Good Health
http://comedybysally.com - Clean Corporate Comedy