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70: Ways To Make Money By Being Funny, with Jan McInnis
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Do people think you’re funny? Do you like to make others laugh?
Maybe there’s a side hustle opportunity in there for you.
Today’s guest makes a very good living - by being funny.
While Jan McInnis started her side hustle as a stand-up comic, over the years she’s expanded her offerings to include being a comedy writer, selling material to everything from The Tonight Show monologues and hundreds of radio stations, to greeting cards, and syndicated cartoon strips.
She also does a lot of corporate work and keynote presentations.
In today’s episode,
- Jan describes multiple ways to make money being funny,
- where to find these gigs,
- how to make yourself memorable,
- what advice she would give young Jan if she were starting over today,
- and tips, tricks, and stories from the stage
What You’ll Hear:
02:29 In the beginning, her marketing materials were better than her act!
04:45 The open mic night that was an epiphany
05:58 2 ½ years as a side hustle
06:16 Writing her 6-month plan and “throwing your hat over the fence”
08:20 Rocked a gig despite attempts to sabotage her performance
09:27 From stand up to corporate work
10:12 How Jan got her first corporate testimonials
11:20 Income streams to get paid for being funny
14:00 Really keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities
16:16 Jan now provides “business advice from a comedian” in her corporate presentations
20:37 How about all the competition out there?
23:32 How to find gigs
27:25 Tips for learning the craft
30:19 The hard knocks are hugely beneficial down the road
31:03 In the early days, focus on getting good vs what you’re getting paid
32:41 What Jan should have done early on that she didn’t
36:46 Opportunities to be paid to be funny: comedy clubs, writing jokes, corporate work, keynotes
37:01 Tips on how to get into writing for others
38:15 Going rates for getting paid to write jokes
39:44 No matter how good you are, you can’t compete with a chocolate fondue fountain!
40:23 Advice Jan would give her younger self
41:28 Jan’s best tip to start or grow your side hustle
Final thoughts:
43:43 Differentiate yourself by being you, put your spin on it, and be professional
44:53 “A pro is at their best, always”
Connect With Jan:
https://www.instagram.com/jan.mcinnis/
https://www.facebook.com/ComedianJanMcInnis
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janmcinnis/
Connect with Joan:
https://www.instagram.com/joanposivy/
https://www.facebook.com/posivy/
https://www.sidehustlehero.com/about/
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