It’s been a busy week that ended with Super Bowl weekend. Instead of an article, I’ll leave you with a 30 second video (above) of one of my jokes. There were 1300+ people at this conference the other week; I got some nice client quotes below. My keynotes work for big or small crowds!
I’m also including the first joke I ever sold to Jay Leno for the Tonight Show. It was a Super Bowl joke, so it’s appropriate for this weekend. I was one of the comics who was approved to fax jokes to Leno (yeah, I know. FAX). Of course he had a staff of great writers as well, and I ran into one of his writers at a comedy club years ago. He said “Oh, Jan McInnis?” You’re one of the comics we read!” I was thrilled that he knew who I was and seemed to respect my work.
To freelance for Leno, the deal was, you submit the jokes, and then either watch the show or just wait for a check. I had been on the road for two solid months when I got home, exhausted. I opened my mailbox and a check from Big Dog Productions was there. I called Jay’s assistant (yes, we got the fax number and his assistant’s direct line), and she told me it was the Super Bowl joke. What a nice way to lift my spirits from a long 2 months of comedy club road work.
No comedy clubs any more as I’ve morphed my comedy into a humor keynote with lots of clean humor and unique tips. An speakers bureau agent told me once that his biggest issue with booking me was that it was hard to find a speaker the next year to follow me because he needed someone like me who was “comedy club funny.” Cutting your teeth in comedy clubs is a great way to get good on stage . . . and I draw stories from my club life that business leaders can use in business.
If you’re looking for a GREAT keynote speaker at your next event, please send me a note Jan@TheWorkLady.com And please subscribe here to get a weekly short story about my comedy career.
Two of the many great quotes I got from last week’s show!:
“As our Saturday closing keynote speaker, Jan brought humor and insight to the topic of change. Her ability to find the funny resonated deeply with our audience of 1,300+ delegates and created a laughter-filled close to the conference. Attendees walked away not only entertained, but also with a humorous perspective on embracing change in both their professional and personal lives.” Client, Illinois Park and Recreation Association
“What an awesome Closing Keynote for the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference, you knocked it out of the park!” Client, Illinois Association of Park Districts
Jan McInnis is a Keynote Speaker, Comedian, Comedy Writer, and Master of Ceremonies. She has written for Jay Leno’s Tonight Show monologue as well as many other people, places, and groups – radio, TV, syndicated cartoon strips, and even guests on the Jerry Springer show (her parents are proud). For 20+ years she’s traveled country as a keynote speaker and comedian sharing her unique and practical tips on what business leaders can learn from comedians (no, it’s not all about telling jokes). She can be reached at www.TheWorkLady.com, or Jan@TheWorkLady.com She’s also a GREAT Master of Ceremonies. Click here for her emcee site
Some of the stories in this newsletter are taken from Jan’s popular book:
Convention Comedian: Stories and Wisdom From Two Decades of Chicken Dinners and Comedy Clubs.
