Comedian Sally Edwards

Humor and Well Being

    The good news:  Humor helps!  Humor boosts the spirit!  Humor and laughter will do wonders for your physical health.

     Having performed as a motivational speaker and corporate comedian in theaters and special events across the country, I have witnessed laughter's cleansing powers. Walking into a room of strangers and standing before them to make them laugh is as terrifying as it is empowering.  What draws the humorous speaker and corporate comedian back to the stage over and over again is the heightened spirit that is born out of room full of positive human vibrations heard as laughter.  It is intoxicating and quite addictive.

Laughter is shown to have positive effects upon health which include a boost in energy, a diminishing of pain and a strengthening of the immune system. Laughter has even been shown to be a fantastic aphrodisiac.  Yes.  It's true.  Get your calendars out cupids.

I often include crowd participation in my presentations because I want the audience to be the stars of the event.  I want them to experience the rush of well-being that comes from a community participation that generates laughter.  The resounding sound and energy wipe the slate clean of stress, worry and anxiety.

Laughter is personally available to everyone.  Let it in.  Find it.  CDs, DVDs, live shows, theater, books - laughter can be derived from so many sources.  Every day we have the choice to be happy or sad.  Choose laughter - your positive spirit and good health are the outstanding rewards.

Clean Comedy Guarantees These Benefits

People have often asked me why I choose to perform only clean comedy.  This is a decision I came to when I first started performing stand-up comedy at new talent nights at Zanies Comedy Club twenty-five years ago.  ... I simply wanted to know if my comedy writing and jokes were funny.  Could I be funny without the crutch of profanity?  I was curious.

Twenty-five years later I have never regretted this choice and I think it is worth serious consideration by anyone starting a career in stand-up comedy today.

Performing clean shows will lead to more opportunities to perform at corporate events once you have a strong forty-five minute set.  It is a luxury to never worry about offending anyone. Prior to showtime, I often have a human resource director or event planner nervously asking if my humor is truly clean.  I feel so fortunate that I don't have to review my own set-ups and edit my material immediately before taking the stage.  I experience confidence rather than anxiety.

Clean comedy is welcome on any television channel.  Forty-five minutes of material is a true forty-five minutes of material.  Numerous appearances on television will "eat up" your material quickly.  Don't fool yourself into thinking you have forty-five minutes when twenty minutes might not be good for programming.

Writing and performing clean comedy is a fun discipline that is a "win-win."  There are no negative consequences to being marketable.  My experience confirms that it is a smart and viable option worthy of serious consideration.

See:  comedybysally.com

Ten Marketing Tips for Christian Comedians

Sally Edwards - Christian and Corporate Comedy

    Even though Christian Comedians tend to favor the creative and positive aspects of a clean comedy show, it is important to keep your business practices ongoing and fresh.  Here are ten ideas for maintaining your Christian Comedy business even when you are not performing on stage:

1)  Videotape your shows:  Once your performance is over, there is no getting it back.  Videotape every show, post clips on YouTube or send it out to other Christian organizations.  You don't want to miss videotaping any of your really good shows!

2)  Write, write, write - Carry a notebook, cell phone, Ipad or tape recorder.  The best jokes seem to pop out of nowhere.  Be ready for them.

3)  Send out postcards or brochures.  It's a digital age but some clients still prefer to hold your information in their hands.  Vistaprint is a great way to go for ordering online.

4)  Work on your social media daily:  Think Twitter, Facebook, Stumble Upon, Reddit, Digg, Tumbler, Squidoo, etc.

5)  Write a new ten minutes.  Get your thoughts out on paper and start to edit.  Avoid performing stagnant shows.

6)  Start a newsletter.  Constant Contact and Mailchimp offer various creative formats.

7)  Blog regularly using Wordpress or Blogger.  Wordpress will offer more customization.  Blogger promotes your blog on Google.

8)  Submit press releases.  Start with a free release until you gain confidence.  If you are booked into a Christian event, promote it!  Organizers will appreciate your involvement in getting people in the seats.

9)  Use your creativity to develop marketing materials including CDs and DVDs.  Write a book.  See Lulu.com and CreateSpace.com (Amazon's self-publishing).

10)  Promote, promote, promote - Hand out business cards and collect email addresses at every performance.  Your email addresses are your future fans and customers!

Go get 'em.  Break a leg!

ComedyBySally.com

Christian Comedians and the Successful Radio Interview

Female Christian Comedian Sally Edwards

I'll never forget one of my first radio interviews as a Christian Comedian.  I was performing at a church in a small Ohio town and I was asked to go on the air at a local radio station to promote the special event .  I had strict instructions from the radio station.  "Write out five questions that will lead into humorous stories." End of instructions.  In the years that followed, I was regularly given similar instructions from radio hosts, including FISH Christian Radio, whose offices wer in Elk Grove Village, IL.

This format is very solid because the comedian is always prepared with something funny to say.  It relieves the radio host of the pressure of not knowing what to expect.  It would be very disconcerting if a Christian Comedian delivered stories and anecdotes that would be offensive to a core audience.  Preparing a funny and solid radio interview should be taken with the same "seriousness" as the preparation of a stage performance.  The radio interview provides a wonderful platform for bringing people to your show and your Christian hosts will appreciate your enthusiasm and professionalism on the air.

Christian Comedians as guests on a radio show should be prepared to face a radio host who may not be familiar with the concept of "set-up, punchline."  It is recommended that a comedian take control of the interview to avoid the host "stepping on the jokes" by interrupting the timing of a well thought-out story.  This unfortunate habit can make a radio interview very painful for the guest.  Christian Comedians know that the very best hosts are either highly sensitive to the talent of their individual guests or they are former comedians themselves.

On occasion a radio host will recommend "winging it."  This is an improvised radio interview and is not for the squeamish.  I am a particular fan of this type of interview because I find it very challenging, yet very natural.  However, it takes a skilled interviewer and an ideal chemistry with the radio host to make this a successful endeavor.

Remember that your mission as a Christian Comedian on the radio is to advertise the special event at which you are appearing while keeping  your comedy clean and highly entertaining!  The funnier and more engaging you are, the more a listener will want to come out and see you in person.  Welcome the opportunity to bring more audience to the church's special event!

Four Health Benefits of Christian Comedy

     

Comedian Sally Edwards

     If you're planning a church-related event, consider the benefit of inviting a Christian Comedian to entertain. Laughter will build community spirit while delivering numerous health benefits.  Laughing and feeling better physically is definitely a "Win-Win" event.

     Listed below are four health benefits of laughter which can deliver a memorable event

     (1)  Laughter boosts the immune system.  A decrease in stress is achieved through laughter.  An increase of neuropeptides fights stress and reduces its damaging effects upon the body.

     (2)  Laughter decreases pain by producing natural painkillers.

     (3)  Laughter causes a sense of camaraderie and bonding of a community.  Connecting with people is important when fighting stress and illness.  Laughter bonds individuals emotionally.

     (4)  Laughter decreases depression and anxiety.  In effect, the "mental slate is wiped clean" as we laugh. 

     The benefits of laughter are often overlooked.  Inviting a Christian Comedian to perform clean comedy at your next event will be appreciated by the members of your congregation.  You will generate spiritual bonding and effortlessly laugh your way to better health!

Sally Edwards is a professional Christian Comedian who performs nationally.  
http://ComedyBySally.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 - Christian Comedian

Five Ways to Perform the Best Christian Comedy Show

Christian Comedian Sally Edwards

Performing Christian Comedy at Its Best Can Be Achieved by Following These Five Rules:

1)  Clean Comedy Material Means No Offensive Language, Set-ups or Punchlines

Christian Comedy is an artform.  It is a unique type of humor that is appreciated by people seeking clean, funny comedy that is not offensive.  Generally the comedy is delivered in a church setting, auditorium or 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 comedian as to what material is appropriate the minute he or she begins to speak.

2)  Use of Bible Verses

You should be ready for this request.  Although many Christian Comedians do not use bible verses in their performances, it may be wise to have one or two references prepared and associated with clean humor - just in case.

3)  Arrive on time

I recommend arriving at least one hour prior to showtime.  This puts everyone at ease - including the performer!

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.

5)  Make your Audience the Stars of the Show

So many comedians overlook the fact that it is important to make your audience members the stars of the show.  This is so effective for producing a memorable show.  Many performers "customize" their show by making direct references to audience members in their routine.  I recommend taking it one step further and including audience members on stage in your performance.  "Taking the stage" is a memory that guests will remember for years to come!

For more information about Sally Edwards' Clean Family Comedy -
See:  ComedybySally.com