70: Ways To Make Money By Being Funny, with Jan McInnis

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://theworklady.com/ 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/ Be on the show! https://www.sidehustlehero.com/guests/intake/