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Building a career as a comedian or humorous speaker is not easy. It’s even tougher when you’re trying to do it alone. Maybe you’re looking for advice on how to get started, or already have experience and don’t know how to take your career to the next level. Do you have specific questions about the business, promotional material, or looking for new opportunities to get on stage? If so, you’re not alone.

Over 1,200 working comedians and speakers, aspiring comedians and industry insiders (comedy club and festival talent bookers, managers, agents, publicists and others) subscribe to this newsletter and you have the opportunity to join us. It's always good to be part of a support group.

To be more specific, it’s sharing information and advice. If you’ve checked out the website, you already know this is what I’m all about. The idea behind my books How To Be A Working Comic: An Insider’s Business Guide To A Career In Stand-Up Comedy, How To Be A Working Corporate Comedian: A Step-By-Step Guide Into Launching & Building Your Career, and Comedy FAQs And Answers: How The Stand-Up Biz Really Works, comedy workshops, private coaching, business seminars, and college courses in communications and public speaking is to offer insight into the industry and help you build a successful career.

"Wow! If you have not been to Dave's website or signed up for his newsletter, you are missing out!!! I just invested an hour on his amazing content!! Just signed up for his newsletter and have been reading the back issues on the site! Great Stuff!!"

"I have been a fan of Dave's for years and have found the information in his books solid - some the best in fact for those who are serious about moving forward in stand-up comedy, particularly in the highly competitive comedy club market."

The format is simple and (hopefully) entertaining. After all, it's about comedy and also using humor as a speaker! There's a FAQ And Answer segment where you can send in a question and I'll do my best to find the answer. Even if you never have a question, you can read about what other comics and humorous speakers are asking.

Whether it's an open-mic, comedy club, festival, contest or speaker showcase - there's a link with each newsletter that will take you to a website for details. This is information sent in by members of this list. In other words, it's current and a great way for you to get the word out if you're running the open-mic, club, festival, contest or showcase, OR if you just want to share information with other comedians and speakers. The only thing I can't do is promote individual shows - for instance, if you're playing at a club or speaking at a seminar and want everyone to come see you. If I did, I'd never get off the internet.

"Thank you for your wonderful newsletter, Dave. I have been busy learning from it every time you send it out. I appreciate that you want to help people."

"I am always learning things here. Thanks for helping us new guys out."

If you're looking for a way to promote yourself and make new contacts, send in a joke for the Joke of the Week segment. It doesn't have to be original - just funny. If it's used in the newsletter I'll include links to your website, Facebook, LinkedIn or online promotional video. It's a great way to build your friends lists and promote yourself. Again - it's all about networking!

"I just found out I was accepted into the San Diego Comedy Festival. Thank you! If it wasn't for your newsletter I wouldn't have found out about the festival."

“Thank you so much. I will be putting together a stand up comedy show in Los Angeles and I needed this information.”

I'm glad you asked. When I schedule a comedy workshop or business seminar, the dates are announced first in the newsletter. Subscribers are always the first to know about these - and have the first opportunity to register (workshops are limited to only 10 people and regularly sell-out). A few days later the information is sent out via online social and business networks, newsgroups, etc... There will also be links for my books available at a discount price.

I'll never share your email address with anyone else!!! I can't stand it when sites do that to me and I won't do it to you.

"Thanks Dave... for the inspiration. Thanks also for assembling and disseminating practical advice with real dollar value to struggling people looking for work!"

"I love your blog. The material is just as relevant to speakers as it is to comics!"

There's always an unsubscribe link with every newsletter. You can check it out and if you don't want to receive it anymore, just opt-out. It's easy to do and you won't hurt my feelings (I promise).

Then add dave@thecomedybook.com to your address book or white list so this great information is not lost in cyberspace or your spam file where it can’t help you.

"Schwensen certainly knows the ins and outs of making it in comedy."

"To say Dave Schwensen knows the comedy business would be an understatement."

I’m looking forward to networking, sharing information and of course – laughing with you! – Dave Schwensen