Best Corporate Comedy

Chicago Event Entertainment Service

5 Things I Learned About Sales From Comedy

By

Rick@WIP052315_0004

For the past eleven years, I have been a stand-up comedian.  Prior to that, I have been a stock trader; done in-home sales of home improvements and run a telecommunications consulting company.

Every comedy show is a presentation. Whether it is a corporate gig, nightclub, comedy club or appearance on TV –  the same rules apply as they do in sales.

  1. Say Hello.  This is an important step that so many comedians (and sales pros) omit. You have so  much to say, and in short time allotment, so you better get the message out, right?  In the words of ESPN’s Lee Corso, “not so fast”.  Slow it down, the audience wants the punch line, and you know the it – but make them wait for it.
  2. Tell the Company Story  Whether you work for a Fortune 50 or a start-up telling your story begins with building the connection. When you hear a comedian preface a bit with “a little bit about me”, they are beginning to build the connection with the audience. Connecting with your prospect is just as important, because you’re selling you as well as your product or service.
  3. Identify the Problem   In the world of comedy, this is called the set-up.  “Don’t you hate it when…” “My spouse is so….”  “I wish my kids would…” You know your product or service and you know what it can do for this prospect, so try using the set-up when you’re on your next pitch: “Don’t you wish your CRM software did…”, “Wouldn’t it be great if HR could have a one-source solution for…”
  4. Provide the Solution   Here’s the payoff or punchline.  In comedy, we use a well written phrase that is, (if you’re good enough), unexpected by the audience.  Therein lies the funny.  Therein also lies the sale. “ “Our software does that and more…” “Our cloud based HR solution will…”
  5. Close ‘Em   You’re at the end of your show, and you want to leave them with a strong closing joke. This is one the audience will talk about the next day at work or later that on social media.. Close ‘Em   You’re at the end of your show, and you want to leave them with a strong closing joke. This is one the audience will talk about the next day at work or later that on social media.

As the headlining comedian, (which you are, as well,  in the presentation) – you are the expert. You are the champion. Connect with your audience, get them to identify with you and get the laughs – or in your case the biggest sale of your career.

If you need help getting the laughs, we’re always an email away.  Until soon, keep laughing.

Making fun FROM it!

By

vinnie_may2014_192.

“Feel free to use this” in your act. Comedians have been hearing this since the beginning of stand up comedy. “This” is usually a story about something that happened to that person or a friend of that person. And while I never use “this” in my act, “this” is exactly what we need to create a Comedy Roast.

Many people have a perception that making fun OF a person or scenario is what comedy is all about. Though often times that is the case, the root cause of laughter is RELATABILITY. That’s what we learned as Roasters. We found that people are more likely to connect with us, and laugh because we write from their experiences and shared truths. Roasting is a much more personalized way of performing stand-up at events and functions because our clients know exactly what they are getting.

We create an environment based on inside jokes. Something like:
Bob in HR thinks he’s a great dancer but has two left feet or that Andrea in IT is a little too obsessed with Ricky Martin..

Using these shared truths and experiences to entertain you is what we call making fun FROM not OF. We make fun FROM what you tell us about your staff, clients, friends or
family. What things do you specifically find humorous or quirky about your boss, aunt, or best friend?

But don’t take our word for it. Try it at work or home. You can be funny by making fun FROM.

Here are five ways to be more funny by making fun FROM instead of making fun OF.
1. Once when he thought no one was looking, Bob ______.
2. Norma has the craziest hobby. She_____.
3. Keith will always ____ during his commute.
4. When Judy goes on vacation, she____.
5. Hank loves to _____ but says he doesn’t.

We have a complete questionnaire that we send to our clients to get the inside scoop. We’ve written 1 joke about 50 employees and written hundreds of jokes about individual honorees.

Contact us if you would like to learn more about how we can make your next event a huge success by making fun FROM! 

Laughing Outside the Box

By

Ricky March Best Comedy Roast Chicago

We were contacted by a manager of a country club who was looking to bring club members to the dining room in the off season.  After all, November in Illinois is not usually golf weather.

While its not exactly what we do, the core of our business is helping clients and making people laugh.

We produced a three person comedy show that was performed after a sumptuous buffet dinner. A cash bar was available throughout the evening. The show was well promoted to the club members through email and an insert in the monthly newsletter.

Even with a snowy and cold evening, there were over 200 tickets sold for the evening. The club manager was ecstatic, and so were we –  because we love making people laugh.  If you’re wondering if we can help your venue increase revenue, feel free to reach out to me.

 

A Roast of the Founding Fathers

By

bilde

Fourth of July is upon us, when we celebrate our freedom — to say whatever the hell we want about someone or something as long as it’s funny. Sure, the Continental Congress didn’t have Comedy Roasting in mind when they huddled around the lamps in the late 1770’s.

Did you know there were 55 members of the Continental Congress who signed the Declaration of Independence?  (I knew 4 names of the top of my head). Fifty-five middle aged white men with long hair “framing” a constitution that lives and works today. We honor these men by drinking beer, eating hot dogs and watching fireworks. Until now…

Here’s a mini-roast of a few of the members of the Continental Congress:

Peyton Randolph is here tonight. Which means, of course, Patrick Henry is pouting somewhere over the Stamp Act. You’re a powerful man, and President of this Congress, but the odds of you being our first President are slim because, well, George Washington is prettier and looks better on a dollar bill.

John Hancock is here tonight. Oh, Johnny – it is often said the man with the biggest signature is compensating for the tiniest tool in Massachusetts.

Josiah Bartlett is here tonight.  You’re a doctor who never went to Med School.  You’re a Chief Justice who never attended law school. Proving the theory that the people of New Hampshire are the dumbest of the 13 colonies. There’s rumors that you will be in the West Wing one day. Played by Martin Sheen.

Samuel Adams is here tonight. Poor Sam.  Taking a back seat to your cousin John and his cousin John Quincy. After you leave the Governor’s office in Massachusetts, maybe you should consider something else — like opening a brewery.

Happy Fourth of July – ‘Murica!!

Roasting Dad

By

leave-it-to-beaver
Dad’s are the best. OK, I’m biased because I am one. We have great senses of humor and we love a good joke  —  even when it’s on us.

So how do you create a series of jokes about one of your parent’s while making it funny and not painful?

You ask this question: “Do you remember the time I, (__fill in the blank__) and you (__fill in the blank__)?  Unless you are an axe murderer, odds are you will get some fond memories and funny stories arising from these questions.  And that’s where you start…

If your relationship is close enough, go ahead and push the envelope and change up the question: “Do you remember the time when Mom/Your Sister/Your Brother did (____) and you did (___).

The honest responses (because dads never lie to their children) that you will get are the ideal set-up and punch lines for jokes at a roast. The more in-depth questions you ask, the better the jokes.  If this seems too daunting and personal — hire some professional comedy roasters.  Then, sit back and enjoy a day of laughter.

Happy Fathers Day!

Put the FUN in Fundraiser

By

vinnie_may2014_192

Put the FUN in FUNDRAISER.

On May 8, we had the honor of performing a roast for the Vincent J. Hickey Leukemia Fund. It was put together to help out a Chicago man battling Leukemia

How can you roast a cancer patient?  Easy. You roast the DISEASE and the MAN.  The last thing anyone battling a disease wants is to be considered a victim. They want support and love, but not pity. A roast is an honor. A roast is a celebration of courage and accomplishments.  And we did just that.

Our entire team: Derek, Mona, Thomas, Laura, Xavier and Me were unrelenting in our jokes about Vinnie, his beloved Bridgeport neighborhood, some of the audience and each other. There was laughter, a few groans and maybe a couple of tears – but we helped raise a ton of money for a very good cause.

I even turned into an “auctioneer”.  We auctioned off “dates with local celebrities”, who were all characters in a hit play in Chicago.  Unexpected? Yep.  Fun?  Without a doubt. Successful fundraiser? Beyond expectations.

A roast is an honor and a celebration of someone who can take “it”. This one was the Best.

Who Shouldn’t Be Roasted?

By

914_JohnnyCarson

Anyone who doesn’t want to be honored or celebrated for their amazing life accomplishments.

We can start and stop here.  A Comedy Roast is a celebration.  A lifetime achievement.  How amazing is it to have a group of people gather to pay their respects to you by watching an evening of jokes.  A room full of your friends; each one knows something funny about you.  “Remember the time when we…”  And you can retell something about them. Well, guess what?

That’s silly and fun, and that’s what a roast is, fun. Just fun.

A roast is not mean spirited or a venting of evil.  It’s a trip down memory lane about the foibles of one’s life. It pokes fun at the seriousness of “planning a wedding” or “getting older” or whatever lifetime achivement you’ve reached. It’s been done for decades. By comedians for comedians.  By celebrities for celebrities.  And now its’ available for you.  Celebrate yourself.  Be the guest of honor at a Roast.  It will be the most fun you’ve had in quite a while.

 

Live, Love, Laugh

By

funny cake topper

“Live, Love, Laugh”: it’s the life mantra we hear all the time from people in practically any situation. While those are always positive and upbeat words to live by, planning the biggest day of your life includes immeasurable stress. [Read more…]