There are 5 free online stand-up comedy lessons available for public review in the Killer Stand-up Online Course — no sign-up is required for immediate access.
In this article, I want to provide a brief overview of what is included in those comedy lessons and…
At the bottom of this article is a link where you can also get free access to two complete audio downloads that you may want to review now — especially if you are new to stand-up comedy. And again, no sign-up is required for immediate access.
5 Free Stand-up Comedy Online Lessons Overview
Here is an overview of what you will find in the 5 free online stand-up comedy lessons:
Comedy Lesson #1: Problems With Joke Writing
Many people are under the false impression that stand-up comedy material is “written” much like a book report or short story.
In the first comedy lesson, I included the transcripts of two very popular comedians, along with the brief videos of these comedians performing the bits that were transcribed.
The purpose of this lesson is to illustrate that there is a significant difference between trying to “write” something funny by simply using words and sentences and structuring what you want to say on stage.
Comedy Lesson #2: Why Joke Formulas Don’t Work
In the second comedy lesson, you will discover what joke formulas really are and why they simply don’t work to help someone develop stand-up comedy material that actually works.
Hint: If you are a naturally funny person in everyday life, you already use “formulas” that are specific to you and your sense of humor.
Comedy Lesson #3: The Truth About Set-up Lines And Punchlines
There are two main points in this comedy lesson:
- Being able to identify set-up lines and punchlines in your stand-up comedy material is only of value once you have what you want to say on stage written down and properly structured for brevity and punchline frequency
- Simply knowing the academic definitions of a set-up line and a punchline is worthless when it comes to developing stand-up comedy material that generates laughs
Comedy Lesson #4: Why You Don’t Need A Special Stand-up Comedy Character
In this comedy lesson, the differences between acting and stand-up comedy are identified and explains why you DON’T need to develop a special character in order to be funny on stage.
Hint: If you are a naturally funny person, you are already a unique character – one that is already developed and proven. What you need to know how to do is to capture, condense and package that organic “you” for the stage.
Comedy Lesson #5: Your Comedy Mindset
Believe it or not, much of an individual’s success as a comedian is directly related to the mindset they have.
This last comedy lesson explores the specific mindset issues that can adversely affect an individual’s progress as a comedian.
Let me make this as simple as possible…
If your mindset is that you “write” comedy material like producing a book report for an individual reader, I would recommend that you not waste your time on anything that I have to offer, either in the free lessons or information on this blog.
If that’s the approach that you are determined to pursue, you should study any of these popular stand-up comedy books (#ad) so that you can struggle at the highest level possible as a new comedian. That’s how I started and I can tell you from first hand experience that it’s not fun.
More Free Content
You may also want to check out the Success Primer For New Comedians at Comedy University.
There you will have immediate access to the very first lesson in the Success Primer called How To Find Your Best Stand-up Topics.
You can also review sample audio clips Stand-up Comedy Secrets For Beginners bonus audio series that is included in the Success Primer.
The Bottom Line
Here’s what I can tell you with the greatest of confidence:
If you are willing to spend the time, there is more valuable and accurate information in the free information I have to offer in:
- The 5 free online stand-up comedy lessons at Killerstandup.com
- The free Success Primer For New Comedians and
- The articles on this blog (there are over 100 that equal about two medium size paper books)
Than you will find in ANY of the popular stand-up comedy books (#ad) on how to be a comedian and how to create a stand-up comedy routine that actually works.
Fair enough?
Back in November of 2012, I read through the five free lessons. After going through those lessons, I decided to get the Killer Stand-Up Comedy course. It was a great investment. I have learned a lot going through all of the systematically laid out materials that Steve lays out in his course. I highly recommend doing the free lessons. If you like what you see, take the leap of faith like I did. I haven’t regretted it! (I bought the course before I found this comedy blog. Trust me, as good as this blog is, it is not the systematic step-by-step laid out plan that the course it!)
I can’t get the PDF to unzip. I’ll have to get my sons on the case. My resident IT team. Here I go down comedy lessons lane, hoping to discover I’m as talented as I believe I am. I decided to use one of my favorite openings for my 2 minute set whenever I get on stage.
I’ll bet dollars to donuts I hear my catch phrase in some others peoples acts once I blast off. I’m just praying someone with some real connections is in the audience. I know my stuff is too good for a bunch of free open mics.
I’ve talked the talk, now let’s see if I back it up!
Brian Regan just did the WTF Podcast, he revealed that in a classroom setting, he wanted to make his speech class presentations funny. No stand up books, no formulas, no comedy Jedi Yoda, just being his funny self in front of people. Even during the podcast, you could hear, with just using voice infliction, made the riffing between him and Marc hilarious. No carefully thought out jokes just spontaneous humor from normal conversation.