How to Become a Paid Motivational Speaker

5 Steps to Having a Moneymaking Message 

In becoming a motivational speaker, I went from being a standup comic, flying coach, getting heckled, and sharing a Motel 6 to being a paid speaker, traveling first class, speaking to an appreciative audience, and staying in fancy hotels with spa soap. Rather than doing nine shows a week in a comedy club, I was now earning more doing just one speech.  

Speaking at Women's Health Event in Pensacola, Fl

In 2008, however, everything changed. When the recession hit, the motivational speaking market went downhill as companies could no longer justify hiring a pick-them-up, make-them-laugh speaker. Rather than entertainment, they needed someone with a message, someone who would deliver “take-aways” that improved efficiency, reduced sick days, and boosted their bottom line.

Seeing the writing on the podium, I switched from being a “lighten up humorist” to speaking on the topics of stress reduction and leadership. I continued to use my comedy material to keep the audience laughing, but added specific ACTION STEPS to make my points create lasting results. Developing these STEPS are essential if you want to have a moneymaking message as a motivational speaker.

In my online speaking workshop, students find these crucial action steps by examining their own “mess-to-success” journeys and taking advantage of the specifics that worked for them. Few thought to examine how they lost weight, conquered a depression, or started a business. They were so busy keeping up with LinkedIn and Facebook, they overlooked what they’d learned about overcoming a particular challenge. Getting in touch with those steps is the way to earn extra income as a speaker and can even transform into a book.

Here are some steps to help you find your Action Steps to become a motivation speaker:

This is excerpted from my book "The Message of You": 

1. Make a list of your successes.
2. Next to each, note your starting point, i.e., bad health, living with your parents, directionless, whatever.
3. Explain how you got from your “mess” to your “success.”
4. Find 3 things you did differently that worked. 
5. Give a name/label to those 3 things that got you to success as those are your Action Steps.

Watch free video lessons, get coaching, and join online workshops to find your message and become a paid motivational speaker.

https://themessageofyou.com

47 Tips For Public Speaking

Attending the National Speakers Association 2015 Convention in Washington, D.C. I learned a lot a lot! To be exact - 47 tips on marketing your speech, youtube presence, SEO, and even what kind of camera to buy.

47 Tips on how to have a career as a professional speaker:

1. If you don’t have passion, you will give up. The speakers, entrepreneurs, and businesses that persevere are the ones that keep going when things get tough. -- Vern Harnish

2. Statistics show that our most productive time is when we’re over 50 years old. (I guess not having sex as much gives us time to get things done).

3. Have a short phrase (two to three words) that describes your business – a clear and concise tagline that will make you easily findable on Google. (Note to self – Nobody is looking for “hot whiny girls”). – Heather Lutze

4. Have a “Think Week.” Turn off your wifi, read, reflect, and take some time to think and brainstorm about your business. - Niels Brabandt

5. Write from 5:00-7:00 AM. After you’ve had your Think Week, you’ll be better prepared to focus on solving what is inhibiting your business from growing.

6. Mentor others. We learn when we teach.

7. Leaders are readers. Always be reading a book to improve yourself.

8. When networking, a good conversation starter is, “What’s on your reading list?”

9. Make a list of the top twenty five people you need to know to help further your career and reach out to them.

10. Never eat alone in front of the computer. Use mealtimes to go out and connect with people on your list ala Don Draper.

11. Figure out what makes you an expert in your field and own it. Lead with your strengths, and others will follow.

12. When going to speak for a client – text them a video from the airport about how excited you are to speak to them. They love this!

13. A professional speaker can’t speak to every sector. Figure out who is your target audience and market to them. (I.e. techies, nurses, engineers, bankers, farmers…). 

14. Be conscious of your marketing success/failures— keep a whiteboard in your office and track your daily sales numbers. 

15. Know your Message. If you don’t know it now, keep a journal of the lessons you’ve learned in life that play over and over again— And that’s The Message of You(link is external). (See Number 5 on developing your Heart Story). 

16. Before telling clients what your speaking fee is, get them to tell you about their event. Then, email them with information on what you can do for them with three different pricing options.

17. Have three options for your price offerings: Basic, Deluxe and Premium. Direct them to the sweet spot in the middle.

18. Make the Premium Package crazy expensive. If they want it, but can’t afford it, ask them what element they want from the Premium Package and add a fee to the Deluxe Package. 

19. Create at least five videos per month for your YouTube channel. Make sure to provide plenty of great information for your followers.

20. When making a YouTube video, adjust your voice as if you are speaking to just one person.

21. Your website should contain your core message.

22. Use Google Keyword Planner to figure out how people are searching for your website.

23. Everyone needs a career coach – reach out to an influencer.

24.  Label your images with your keywords (i.e. HealthcareHumorist.jpg) so they have a higher chance of showing up in a Google search.

25. Phrases where only thirty people a month are searching for with low competition are good because they have a high conversion rate.

26. Find out which keywords your competitors are using. That’s right – spy on them.

27. Keywords should be in the first sentence and last sentences of your website, blogs, and bio.

28. Hire people slowly and fire them quickly. 

29. Happiness levels at work increase profitability. 

30. Humor in the workplace increases productivity.

31. Gather the stories of your family. Once they die, the library of your life is closed.

32. The average viewer only spends 36 seconds watching a YouTube video, so your video should have a compelling beginning.

33. But, the first three seconds are most important. Make sure your audience knows what they are going to get out of watching your video. This is your CALL TO ACTION— be sure to remind your viewers to comment, share, and subscribe.

34. Rather than your phone, use this camera(link is external) to record videos as it has great sound and picture. 

35. Always carry a portable tripod(link is external) with you for gigs. 

36. A good marketing strategy is to send out four different emails to see which one gets the best response.

37. When sending out a demo reel, give clients choices: a short, five-minute promo and, if they want to see your entire speech, provide a full one-hour reel.

38. Establish yourself as an expert by hosting online training courses. You can set that up via Udemy(link is external).

39. Use music in your YouTube videos. (MorgueFile.com (link is external)is a great site for copyright-free music). 

40. Bring your camera everywhere— conduct interviews with experts as you meet them and add the videos to your YouTube channel.

41. Always end your YouTube videos with a teaser for your next video.

42. Create title templates using Flixpress(link is external). 

43. Video testimonials are essential for business (and remember to always get a release form!)

44. Video proposals are awesome.

45. Prior to speaking, film a YouTube trailer to promote your upcoming speech or program.

46. Be sure to add SEO phrases in the description of every YouTube video (i.e. sales technology speaker).

47. Rather than just providing a YouTube link, upload videos directly to Facebook so it plays instantly— people like that better.

25 Websites to Help You Make More Money in Between Gigs

Yesterday, over 100 million dollars was made by people without a job. How did they do it? They had something to share. Remember in grade school when you shared your sandwich with the kid next to you? Well, there are now websites that hook you up with those who want what you have (apartments, cars, theater tickets, spouses, you name it), making helping others profitable. You can earn money if you have spare time, a spare room, or a spare tire.  

Now, when I travel, I stay with delightful people in their homes, use their neighbors’ car, and call on Uber to take me to the airport.  I also make money on the home I’ve vacated, renting it out through a service that does that sort of thing. I’ve gone from spending money on vacation to making money on vacation. I even found a great graphic designer on Elance.com and found my book editor from her Craigslist ad.

So, if your Kickstarter campaign didn’t turn your venture into Google, if you’ve aged out of the workplace, or you’re waiting for your big break, here are some ways you can take advantage of the new sharing economy. 

1. Airbnb out a room—Yes, ‘Airbnb’ is now used as a verb, just like Google. If you live in or near a desirable location (you can lie about your age and your weight, but this is harder) and have an extra room (or don't mind sleeping on the couch) you can earn around $100 a night hosting travelers. Minus some fees, that brings in something like 35K a year! (Also check out: Misterbnb (a gay-friendly take on Airbnb), VacationRentals, and VRBO). 

2. Walk a dog. According to Rover.com (ready to be your best friend), you can make $40 a day by dog-sitting. Take in two dogs and do the math. If you commit to 4 days a week, that comes to almost $17K a year. (Other ideas: DogVacay, Care.com, and Fetch! Pet Care). 

3. Do you look cute in a chauffeur’s hat? Drive people around. If you’ve got a full house, you may want to get out for a few hours and go for a drive. Why not get paid for it? Uber drivers who work just a few hours a night, five nights a week earn over $26K a year. (Check out Lyft and SideCar, as well).

4. Sell stuff on eBay. We all have shoes we no longer wear, sweaters we’re sick of, a fondue set or Turkish coffee maker we never use. There are folks willing to buy just about anything. Got a hobby? If not, get one, and then start monetizing it on sites like eBay, Amazon, Craigslist, Etsy, and Threadflip. Even the most unlikely hobby can fatten up your bank account. Someone I know fixes old watches and then sells them on eBay, bringing in up to $100 a week. I know another guy that made $20K one year by reselling paint-by-number kits. (Hint: People love old crap. The kitschier, the better. Earn some green for that spring clean). 

5. Help someone. Lend a helping hand and TaskRabbit will put some cash in it. This site outsources people’s errands (grocery shopping, housekeeping, repairs, etc). The user lists a task and others post bids. What you earn depends on the task, but even just a few errands a week could bring in $15K a year. FancyHands and Craigslist offer a similar deal. If you're great with kids, check out Care.com and SitterCity (I know someone who charges $25 an hour—IN CASH!) If you're interested in branding and advertisement, Gigwalk is a cool way to get paid for helping companies do market research.

6. Can you write? Are you tech-savvy? Got an hour or two to spare? Become a freelancer and earn money for your skills, without even leaving the couch (or putting on pants!) Sites such as oDesk, Elance, PeoplePerHour, Freelancer and Guru list 100,000+ jobs every month within a wide range of job categories. The best part is its flexibility: long-term, short-term, pay-by-hour, pay-by-project—there's something for literally everyone. How much you make depends on the kind of work you're doing, but even writing up a short blurb for a website can earn you $50 or more. 

Now, SHARE this with your friends and followers so they, too, can cash in on the SHARING economy!

How Being Funny Can Save You Money

Having a sense of humor can save you money. I learned that while working as a comic. Open mic nights aren’t as good for fattening up your bank account, which can truly be a sad joke. Self-made millionaires have said (not to me personally) that dramatically cutting expenses increases one’s income. I’ve found out that when you make someone laugh, they feel positively toward you and are more likely to have your back and make cuts in your favor... Read more.. 

Jobs in Show Business: Tips for a Career in Entertainment

The facts are grim for those hoping to break into showbiz. It was while I was on a panel called “Building Your Empire” for the SAG/AFTRA Conservatory that I found out ONLY 10% of actors who are in the union are working. Wait, I’m not done. Only 10% of those who are working are ABOVE THE POVERTY LEVEL. That’s good to know before you quit your day job.  Afterwards they provided food. It must have been a nice change for the participants not to be serving it.

SAG/AFTRA Panel "Building Your Empire"
(L to R) Scott David (CD for Criminal Minds, founder of The Actors Link),

 Ajay Jahveri (Argentum Photos),  

Jamison Reeves (writer, actor, producer, director),  

Judy Carter, (Goddess)  

Lee Garlington (actor, writer, career coach, phenomenal moderator),  

Gary Marsh (founder of Breakdown Services)

Fledgling actors in the audience were asking, “How do I get an agent?”

Well, if you’re just getting over the fact that getting into the SAG/AFTRA union wasn’t your ticket to buying a condo in Brentwood, wait until you see what happens when you sign with an agent.  I’ve been represented by ICM, William Morris Agency, Gersh Agency, 5 different commercial agents, 3 different managers, and have worked with over 15 speakers bureaus.  I once named my dog “Bernie,” after my agent Bernie, because when I called either of them, they didn’t do anything. An actor friend told me he came off stage one night and was approached by a commercial agent, who said, “I’d like to handle you.” That would have been flattering except the guy WAS his agent. 

This year has been one of my most successful yet. I've shot 2 television pilots, my screenplay is being read by producers, I have regular speaking engagements, and I do not have ANY exclusive representation except for my lovely literary agent and a few speaker bureaus.

If you’re like me, you might make the mistake of thinking because you’ve signed with an agent, you can slack off. That’s their job; they often slack off once you’ve signed the agency agreement.

Here’s my plan for BOOSTING YOUR CAREER and BUILDING YOUR OWN EMPIRE:

1) Create a database. (CRM – Customer Relationship Management) When I was an 8 year-old magician performing at birthday parties, I kept every client’s name on an index card in a recipe box. I’ve moved up from a recipe box to a computer, where I file away everyone who has ever contacted me. Just like in Game of Thrones, the power is in the hands of how many people are in your army. Now, your power is in the number of followers you have in your database, on Twitter, on Facebook, and on YouTube. I use SugarCRM. You can use MailChimp, or here is a list of reviews http://www.reviews.com/crm-software/.

2) Provide your followers with value. They want to hear how you can help them. Give your fans something other than, “Come see my show!”  Email them about things THEY are interested in (don’t assume it’s you). Think of yourself as a first responder for THEIR needs.

3) Network by supporting other people.  After your day job, get out of the house, stay off the 405 and other roads that don’t move so you can talk to other comics, actors, writers, and participate in the community.  If you come to other people’s events, they just might come to yours (it’s not true for funerals).

4) Become a YOUTUBE  STAR. DIY your own projects on YouTube. Build your team to create your own projects and internet content. Join together with actors, writers, and directors to show what you can do. YouTube sensation Jenna Marbles has over 13 million subscribers and makes millions. GloZell turned herself into a star with her zany characters on YouTube. YouTube is the stage you want to be on.

5) Change your thinking. Getting a call and being cast in a network show is as unlikely as getting hit by lightning. Oh, wait, that just happened in Venice Beach! But, until I find a new metaphor, I’m holding onto it as it’s the best way to say you shouldn’t think that waiting to be discovered is a productive step. Be pro-active. DISCOVER YOURSELF. Network TV is yesterday. Think about YouTube, Netflix, Google TV, where new stars are being discovered online. The internet is the new casting couch – where you’ll get hits, instead of being hit on.

Creativity is Messy: 5 Tips to Being an Original Thinker

In business we hear: “Think OUTSIDE of the BOX.” What many don’t understand is that the road to original ideas is not a direct route. Getting to ‘outside of the box’ cannot be navigated by a GPS. It’s off the grid, like traveling on a dirt road, taking detours, and hoping you’ll know you’re at the right place when you’ve arrived.  

This is a critical piece of information for ANYONE who wants to do a TED talk, a corporate speech or even write a book that is FULL OF ORIGINAL IDEAS.

I got a call from someone, who wanted speaking coaching after he had seen his accountant friend, and one of my former clients, speak.  He was surprised and impressed that his straight-laced friend got laughs, tears, and a standing ovation. Did I mention that he’s a CPA? Now, he wanted the same thing – to speak and have an audience fall in love with him. I took him on.

At our first meeting, he left disappointed as he thought his entire speech would come together at that first meeting.  After we ended the hour Skype session with some rough ideas, he asked, “Is this working?”

What ISN’T working – with more work – WILL.  Be suspicious of things that are too good to be true. Newsflash: It takes MORE than “7 Days to Write your Best Seller,” way more than “5 Hours to Lose Weight” and it may NEVER happen that you “Find God and Peace over Breakfast.”

If you are to create something that will blow people’s socks off, you have to put in TIME and accept that the creative process is MESSY.

The journey to SUCCESS is littered with trial and error. The first pass is like putting on your underwear. Nobody has to see it unless you want them to. Once you’re covered, you get to address the next layer. The fun begins when you cut, improve and refine. Failing is a friendly tool, letting you know something needs to be fixed. We have to be willing to toss out material the way we get rid of other trash. Did I just lose the HOARDERS?

Look at it this way: A baby takes 9 months, and that doesn’t include your 5 years of diets, bad choices, and that Jack Daniels, “Let’s do shooters!” year.

As Michelangelo said, “In every block of marble I see a statue as plain as though it stood before me, shaped and perfect in attitude and action. I have only to hew away the rough walls that imprison the lovely apparition to reveal it to the other eyes as mine see it.”  I would have advised him to take another pass at those sentences, lose some of the words and maybe get it down to, “I get rid of what’s there that’s not needed.” Too bad Michelangelo wasn’t my client; I could have made him a success.

I urge clients NOT TO RUSH, but to give themselves room and time to find the story that will motivate, a message that will inspire, and jokes to keep everyone awake. What matters most is NOT the idea, but HOW you present it.

My job as a coach is to help you find your never-existed-before-in-time idea, explore it and turn it on its head to see it from all angles while you hold onto your faith in yourself and in your message.

When you put in the right amount of work, it WILL appear to have been effortless.

Here are 5 simple tips to help you become a better writer:

1. Try writing at 4 AM. It's easier to write when your critic is asleep. You will have access to the hidden gold in your subconscious.

2. Write inappropriate stuff. There will be time to edit and censor yourself, but filtering out ideas in the beginning will also filter out the gold. 

3. If you get stuck – write lists starting with the Top 10 Reasons Writing Sucks. Lists are not just for David Letterman.

4. Cover your computer screen while you write. Not seeing what you are writing will keep you from judging it as you go.

5. Set your iPhone timer and keep writing until it goes off. The difference between pros and amateurs is that the pros keep going even when they don’t want to. 

The Power of Your Story: Is TOASTMASTERS the Cure to Peace in the Middle East?

The Middle East. What comes to your mind? Muslim terrorists? Dangerous people? Oppressed women?

When I accepted an invite to speak at District 20 Toastmasters Annual Conference in Muscat, Oman, my friends spoke up.

“Judy, you’d be crazy to go.”
“It’s too dangerous. There are TERRORISTS there.”
“You would really need to ‘Jew-Down'.”

The truth is I WAS scared. I watch CNN, which makes me NOT at all an expert on the politics of the Middle East or even the geography. When I got the invite to go to Oman, I said, “Great! Where is that?”

“It’s in the Middle East,” Mahmood Safar Alqassab, whom I met while speaking at the International Toastmasters convention in Cincinnati, told me.

“Middle East? Great! I could fly to Chicago.”

As it ends up, Oman is FAR from Chicago. After 23 hours of travel, I was picked up by Mahmood and Harish Bilgi, their heads covered by the traditional muzzar, both wearing traditional Omani dishdasha (a white ankle-length gown). Men in dresses? Hey, I’m used to that. I live near West Hollywood!

They hugged me and didn’t seem scary at all. I immediately felt their warmth. Telling jokes and laughing, we headed to my hotel, I mean my palace. Yes, I was staying at the Al Bustan PALACE. A 5-star resort on the Gulf of Oman. Walking into the hotel, waves of Frankincense calmed my nerves. And that’s when I learned that everything about Oman is sweet: the air, the customs, the people.

“Is it safe for women to walk late at night downtown in the marketplace?” I asked.

“But, of course. After all, this isn’t LOS ANGELES!” They had me there…

It took a while for me to get over my fears. At the Souq Muttrah, (one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world), seeing a man holding a five-year old girl, I assumed that he was kidnapping her, or worse. Then I noticed many men pushing their children in strollers, kissing and hugging them.  So un-terrorist like.  You don’t believe me? Watch this amazing YOUTUBE playlist of my adventures in Oman.

I’d tamed down my presentation, showing a restraint I didn’t know myself capable of. No one was more surprised than I was when during a humor exercise, Sheer Al Balushi came onstage and stripped down to his Muslim underwear, giving me a chance to see traditional Omani underwear (note: not Calvin Klein, see FULL photos on FB).

New York women dress in black, but here, I thought the women were covered in black because they were forced to, denied making choices in life, another aspect of their being oppressed. But no, most of the women I met were university educated, free to make choices, some preferring to wear the traditional sirwal, some choosing marriage, some choosing careers. And underneath their sirwal – guess what? Victoria’s Secret. The women were no pushovers.

In the end, it was I who learned so much from THEM.

At one point, when speaking about being authentic, I had to confess that I hadn’t been authentic with them. I came clean, telling them about my fears and misconception, admitting that I had a secret. “I’m Jewish,” I said. They tossed flowers. They hugged me. It was a love fest.

Anytime we tell our stories, we connect. Whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Buddhist, our stories are the glue that bind us; there is no “other.” We are all grappling with the same things: hoping to get along with our family, looking for love, and trying to lose ten pounds or twenty kilos.

There are plenty of people in this part of the world who never make it onto CNN, where the focus is on the mentally ill terrorists.  That group is truly a minority. Their story is not the story of the rest of the population.

Thank you, Toastmasters, for striving to master storytelling, comedy and speaking. You all rock, and I hold you in my heart. I hope we continue to learn from one another. And we have another reason to wear clean underwear: you never know when you’ll be going onstage and stripping.

Performing for Free? There's Hope...

I just got a speaking engagement in Oman!

Have you heard of that country? I hadn't. I had to go to Mapquest to see if it's near TARZANA, or some familiar place -- but this is very different.

Oman is way EAST of La Brea. Matter of fact, Oman is just east of Saudi Arabia. At first, I was nervous because, well, I have BREASTS. And, apparently in countries such as Saudi Arabia, those cost several basic human rights, including the right to drive a car. I don't understand why; they've never interfered with me making a left turn. (Well, except when my driver's seat got stuck in my Mini, but that's another story.)

I did a bit of research on Oman's culture, meaning I called my Muslim friend Dalia Mogahed who you might recall from our hilarious piece together on NPR's All Things Considered; she's become my MUSLIM GOOGLE.

(Note to self: get more Muslim friends so I don't bug Dalia every time I have a Middle East question.)

According to Dalia, Oman is the "pearl of the Middle East, and a progressive country." And, apparently it's a country with people who want to be funnier and improve their speaking skills; that's why I'm flying there. This May, I'm going on a great adventure!

So, how did they find me? From seeing me speak at a gig I did for FREE in Cincinnati at Toastmasters International.

Many pro speakers I know are SNIVELNG about clients wanting them to speak for free or for a much-reduced fee. As some clients say, "You'll get exposure." I usually say, "I catch cold from exposure."

BUT...Here's the thing: just like 40 is the new 30 -- "FREE" can be the new "FEE."

I do only FOUR pro bono speaking engagements a year, and I CAREFULLY PICK them according to a set of rules from Mimi Donaldson, a fabulous speaker in her own right, as well as a speaking coach. She's determined 7 ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL MARKETING ESSENTIALS that must be met before you accept a non-paid speaking engagement.

That due diligence often pays off for me -- in 2013, if you take into consideration product sales, additional coaching clients, and spin-off engagements, these so called free gigs have netted me over $41,000 - not to mention an upcoming vacation in Oman. Nothing to snivel about!

If you use these 7 points to pick the right groups - AND your speech not only has as great message, entertaining stories, and a sales pitch that's worked into a story - pro bono can turn into pro opportunity.

On the other hand - I do gigs for free, not always to get money, but for LOVE. Matter of fact, I'm speaking on just this topic at a FREE GET TOGETHER FOR COMICS & SPEAKERS in HONOLULU on Thursday, May 8^th. Go to my Facebook Page, click "Like" and the event is listed there.

The following is excerpted from "The Message of You" by Judy Carter (St. Martin's Press, 2013).

  

  

To Freebie or Not to Freebie?

That is the Question...

  

All speakers do freebies -- even the ones earning over $10,000 a gig. You just need to choose your freebies wisely. Professional speaker, Mimi Donaldson only agrees to free gigs if they meet her seven qualifications:

  

1. The topic is chosen by me and must be related to products I sell.

2. I must be able to sell my products at the event and distribute order forms before I speak to all attendees.

3. I require a 6 to 8-foot table in a prominent place where participants will be, not off in another room somewhere.

4. I require at least 40 minutes of speaking time. I tell them it's not a commercial; it's content.

5. Location corresponds to number of attendees. If the venue is within an hour drive of my house, the audience must be at least 25 people. Over an hour drive -- at least 50 people.

6. I always require an attendees list with names and emails. You grow your database, and this speech becomes your first touch with each member of the audience. Sometimes, it takes more than one touch to sell a paid speech. You can email them after the speech, and send your valuable newsletter or a report.

7. I never accept a freebie for a corporation with the hope or promise they will pay next time. They never will. Why should they? You gave it away the first time.

  

FREE MARKETING TIPS to turn FREE to FEE: marketyourspeech.com. 

  

For detailed information on how to find your message, develop marketing materials and turn free into fee, get a copy of "The Message of You," available in Kindle and Audio.

Who Says Comics Can't Be Rich?

Joining Judy at her NYC workshop is Dan Nainan!

Former student and comic Dan Nainan was on the cover of Parade magazine, “WhatPeople Earn: Parade’s 2013 Salary Report.”

“A former Intel engineer, Nainan took a comedy class to overcome stage fright and now makes $328,000 a year,” says the headline.

Dan lives in NYC and performs comedy all over the world, even performing for President Obama!
Recently, we did a corporate gig together, and I asked Dan what he considers to be at the root of his success.

He said, “Two words… ‘Working Clean.’”

As he honed his material in comedy clubs, Dan didn’t fall prey to doing jokes that would offend Grandma’s ears.  He knew then what he practices now: that a comic can get more gigs if he or she works clean.

Dan quickly realized that if a comedian works "blue" (dirty), he or she would be confined to low-paying gigs in comedy clubs.  Even established comedians who have been seen multiple times on David Letterman and Jay Leno only make $25 on weeknights and $75 on weekends performing in clubs.

In contrast, Dan has earned as much as $15,000 in an evening performing at colleges, corporate events, charity galas, private functions, or on cruise ships.  Developing a fully clean act can be difficult -- but the rewards are definitely worth it.

Dan also picked a topic that EVERYONE can relate to – family. Dan focused his material around his family complications, a relatable topic for any audience.  Dan knows that by doing comedy about his unique background, it makes it much less likely anyone will try to steal his material.  (His mother is Indian and his father is Japanese, and that international background has helped him connect with audiences overseas.)

Many (starving) comedians frown upon ethnic material, but Dan has found his niche – in addition to 300 million Americans, his audience includes over 1 billion Indians scattered around the world.

He found his big break when he opened for Robert Schimmel, then for Russell Peters, (who earns $10M a year according to Forbes Magazine). Riding Russell Peters's coattails, he was introduced to the international comedy market and has become a headliner of his own, performing in 47 US states, as well as over 20 countries. You can check out Dan’s act at http://www.comediandan.com.

If you’d like to see more of Dan, and his story, he’ll be joining me at my New York City workshop on Sunday, March 17th to answer questions on how to make a living as a comic and a speaker.