How to be a Comedian - Free Online Guide Book

I'm working on a comedy business book tentatively titled, "The Millionaire Comedian: Creating Your Own Success in Show Business." This isn't a book about how to write jokes or be funny. Rather, it is a guide to the different careers paths you can take as a comedian. Specifically, I hope to inspire you to take success into your own hands, and not wait for a big agent or a "break" to launch your career.

The articles below aren't sequential or even meant to read like a book. That will come later. In the meantime, bookmark this page and keep checking back. I'll fill link the articles as I write them:

Becoming a Comedian:

• Getting started in stand-up comedy
• How to contact an entertainment agency

Careers in Comedy:

• Overview of careers in comedy
• Corporate Comedy - Performing at Company Parties and Conventions
  • Guidelines for becoming a corporate entertainer
  • Ten Corporate Comedy Do's and Don'ts
• How to Become a Comedy Writer for Television
  • Case Study: Bryan Tucker at Saturday Night Live
• How to Become a Christian Comedian
• Breaking into the College Market
• Start your own Comedy blog
• Finding Cruise Ship Work
• Becoming a National Headliner at Comedy Clubs

Creating Your Promotional Materials:

• What You Need for a Comedian Press Kit
• Website design for comedians
  • Advanced: How to Build an XML Sitemap
  • Advanced: How to Submit Your XML Sitemap
• How to Record a Live Comedy Show

Booking Comedy Shows:

• Office equipment that will make your life easier
• Software that will make your life easier
• Performance Booking - Improving communication between client, artist, and agent
• Ten ways to impress a booking agent
• How to advance a performance

Promoting Your Act:

• Optimizing your web site for search engines
• Using Social Networking Sites to Build Your Fan Base
• How to Get Airplay on XM Satellite Radio
• Use Online Video to Promote Your Act

Selling Your Products Online:

• Are you using CDBaby.com?
• Shopping Cart Reviews: E-junkie.com
• Website verification seals

Resources:

• Comedy Books You Should Read
• Portable Sound System Reviews
• Stamps.com - Simplifies Shipping Press Kits and Packages
• Discount Postcard Printing by PrintingForLess.com

What do you want to know about? Write your requests for information in the comments section below.