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

Side Hustle Hero

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/