If you're serious about becoming a comedy professional, invest in your comedy career!
Comedy Business
School™
Earn a living in comedy
COMEDY BUSINESS SCHOOL
Taught by Scott Dikkers, founder of TheOnion.com
100% Money-Back Guarantee!
Hi, I’m Scott Dikkers.
Hi, I'm Scott Dikkers.
I’m the founding editor of the Onion
I’ve also performed on Saturday Night Live and Conan, sold pilots to MTV, Comedy Central, and NBC, authored several New York Times bestselling books, and won a Peabody Award, the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and over 20 Webby Awards.
But I haven’t always enjoyed this level of success…
In my twenties, I knew I was funny and I knew I loved writing and performing comedy — but I didn’t know how to make a living at it. I didn’t know how to be a professional comedian. So I held down a “real” job and watched as other comedians lapped me and made careers for themselves. I badly wanted to break through, get noticed, and get paid — but I was spinning my wheels.
Hi, I'm Scott Dikkers.
I’m the founding editor of the Onion
I’ve also performed on Saturday Night Live and Conan, sold pilots to MTV, Comedy Central, and NBC, authored [X] #1 New York Times bestselling book, and won a Peabody Award, the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and over 20 Webby Awards. But I haven’t always enjoyed this level of success… In my twenties, I knew I was funny and I knew I loved writing and performing comedy — but I didn’t know how to make a living at it. I didn’t know how to be a professional comedian. So I held down a “real” job and watched as other comedians lapped me and made careers for themselves. I badly wanted to break through, get noticed, and get paid — but I was spinning my wheels.
Are you spinning your wheels in comedy?
Then Comedy Business School is for you
Comedy Business School will teach you how to make comedy your career
You’ll learn how to...
- Earn a real living as a comedy writer or performer, so you can finally devote yourself to your craft...
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Sell your strengths and differentiate your comedy, so you can stand out (and thrive) in a cutthroat industry...
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Secure consistent, prime comedy opportunities, so you can focus more on writing jokes and less on marketing...
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Never lose your motivation and enthusiasm for the craft, so you can cope with "low points" that usually drives comics to quit...
- Eliminate the 12 most common "comedy success barriers," so you can recognize what's holding you back before it's too late...
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Balance your day job and your comedy hustle, so you can continue to earn a living without burning out...
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Find (and keep) a fiercely loyal comedy audience, so you'll always have a tribe of fans that will share your work...
“I feel so lucky to have had Scott Dikkers as a mentor. He was probably the single most influential person in my development as a comedy writer. The things he taught me, I still draw upon to this day. He’s a legend, a pioneer, and one hell of a teacher.”
Robert Siegel
Oscar-nominated screenwriter-director
Credits include Big Fan, The Wrestler (Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe winner),
Turbo (Annie nominated), The Founder, and Welcome to Chippendales on Hulu
What you’ll learn
Comedy Business School is a 5-module system
designed to turn you into a comedy professional
Module 1: Orientation
Lesson 1: 15 minutes that will change your life
- The trick for converting your negative competitive feelings into positive, productive energy…
- One tried-and-true method for turning your comedy goals into reality…
- What almost every comedy show producer is looking for when hiring a new writer…
-
How to set comedy goals that double your chances for success…
- The mental strategy used by Hollywood’s elite to achieve their goals…
Lesson 2: The lifeline you need before getting started
- The single, foundational aspect of comedy success that’s even more important than how funny you are...
- The main thing that prevents people from being more successful — and how to conquer it…
- 3 places to build a reliable support network of comedy peers (even if you don’t live in a big city)...
- Exactly the type of people every comedian must surround themselves with (and what makes you an attractive creative peer)...
- The unmistakable signs of good — and bad — support networks...
“Scott has spent years teaching, lecturing and podcasting about comedy and the tricky work of making your way in the world as a practitioner of the comedy arts. Few people working today have given more thought to or had more insights into these matters. Scott is a visionary and a master funnyman and if I were you, I’d take his damn course and learn some stuff!”
Andy Daly
Comedian, Writer and Actor
Star of the Comedy Central series Review and HBO's Eastbound & Down, Recurring guest star on Silicon Valley, Black-ish, Reno 911!, and Comedy Bang! Bang! Voice actor on Bob's Burgers, Adventure Time, and many others.
Module 2: Freshman
Lesson 1: How the Comedy Business is Different from other Businesses
- How to get all the value of an MBA for an infinitesimal fraction of the cost…
- The 3 paths you can take to succeed in comedy — and what every budding comedian must do first…
- 8 low-barrier-to-entry jobs every aspiring comedian should consider…
- The real, counterintuitive secret to success in business, comedy, and life…
- How to perfectly position yourself to get your “big break” as a comedian…
Lesson 2: Your 20-minute MBA
- The 9 fundamental principles every professional comedian must understand and respect…
- The most powerful, natural, motivating force in comedy (and business)...
- The simple mental shift that can help any comedian double, triple, or even quadruple their success…
- One of the absolute worst things a comedy writer can do throughout the creative process…
- How to get a solid comedy foothold and start building your loyal audience…
Lesson 3: 12 reasons you haven’t broken through yet
- How to find people who will help reveal your comedy blind spots in helpful, supportive ways…
- How to identify (and defeat) the most common fatal flaws that keep talented comedians from finding traction in the business…
- The proper process for learning from your failures — and coming back better…
- How even extremely private people can build a flourishing public comedy career…
- The fool-proof strategy for developing confidence in your writing, on stage, and in auditions…
Lesson 4: 12 MORE reasons you haven’t broken through yet
- How to give yourself the energy, stamina, and desire to succeed — even when you’re motivation is at an all-time low…
- How to create your own luck and ensure you’re in the right place at the right time with the right people…
- The last thing you ever want to say to a potential employer in the comedy business…
- How to re-calibrate your mindset if you’re afraid of sharing your work and getting judged…
- One of the most important bits of advice anyone can get in the entertainment business…
Lesson 5: Handle this one problem, and the rest will melt away
- The 4 critical components to a successful comedy mindset…
- How to gain control over your own fate and, more importantly, your feelings…
- How to develop your Emotional Intelligence (EQ) to frame even the worst situations in a positive light…
- 7 key ways to control your emotions and develop a deep sense of control when you would normally feel powerless…
- The most meaningful, empowering questions you can ask yourself to get your mind in a state of positive proaction…
Lesson 6: “Mudita” and other mindsets
- The profound power and potential of cultivating an “abundance” mindset as a comedian…
- 3 questions you should constantly ask yourself to create a seismic shift in the way other comedians see you...
- You won’t have what it takes to be successful until you feel this one thing…
- How to gracefully accept feedback and use it to build your skills, improve, and rise above rejection...
- How to draw on your personal pain to elevate your comedy — and your life...
Lesson 7: How to crush the networking game, even if you hate it
- How to network (even if you’re a crippling introvert) to dramatically increase your exposure to comedy opportunities...
- 8 ideal places to network as a comedian, whether you’re in New York, Los Angeles, or anywhere else...
- 2 simple, proven steps you can (and should) take to become magnetic in any networking situation...
- The 1 sure way to turn off anyone in the entertainment business (especially someone who could give you an opportunity)...
- How to “make your move” with a comedy decision-maker without coming off pushy, weird, or desperate...
“Back when I was a mere whelp fresh out of college, Scott Dikkers gave me my first break and taught me how to be a better, funnier writer--I still use his methods today. I cherish the many late nights we spent over pizza and Coke (the drinkable kind), and chuckling like idiots.”
Richard Dahm
6-time Emmy-winning comedy writer
Executive Producer on the ABC sitcom The Middle.
Executive Producer and Head Writer of The Colbert Report. Writer on Da Ali G Show.
Module 3: Sophomore
Lesson 1: 9 ways to multiply your work opportunities
- Discover the 9 less-traveled comedy skills you must continue to develop throughout your career...
- This essential skill will pay benefits in so many different arenas of your life, beyond just comedy...
- The one “modern” skill that will turn you into an entertainment powerhouse…
- A talent you can quickly develop to become constantly in-demand as a comedy writer or performer...
- How to avoid the devastating career- and life-crushing consequences of success...
Lesson 2: The secret to becoming a prolific creator
- How to build a schedule that minimizes your weaknesses and maximizes your strengths…
- 5 critical data points you should be logging to truly understand your creative process…
- 8 post-project questions you can use to identify (and conquer) your achilles-heel when it comes to productivity...
- The 3-part method for accomplishing your comedy goals in the most efficient way possible…
- Learn the gold standard for prioritizing your writing, so you can produce better work in less time…
Lesson 3: The hardest thing you’ll ever do, made easy
- 6 profound ways to become a more disciplined — and productive — comedian...
- Proven steps even the laziest people can use to develop a world-class work ethic…
- How to 3X your output by baking accountability into your work (even if you have zero externally imposed deadlines)...
- How to radically change your self-image when you’re going through a crisis of confidence...
- The secret to creating powerful, productive habits that will drive your success in comedy — and beyond…
Lesson 4: Do this one thing perfectly (you already know how but don’t)
- ALL comedy needs a sense of this one thing...
- The surest multiplier of your success and your opportunity in comedy...What it means to be funny AND strikingly original — and how to do both...
- 8 things comics must do to rise above the noise (and 4 things that will drag you down)...
- No matter your style, voice, or topics, don’t ever, ever do this...
- What it means to be funny AND strikingly original — and how to do both...
Lesson 5: How to break through and find an audience
- The benchmark fanbase necessary to make a living as a professional comic…
- The (very few, very specific) shortcuts you can take to grow an enormous audience…
- The one simple social media trick you can use to 2X (or even 3X) your follower acquisition rate...
- In the comedy business, you’re shooting yourself in the foot if you’re not taking this step...
- How comedians should be using every single social media platform…
Lesson 6: Submitting work decision-makers will notice
- The one kind of person comedy decision-makers absolutely, positively don’t want to hire…
- Your handy PDF of every publication, TV and radio show, screenplay pilot, and agent to submit work
- The 5 Commandments of Comedy submissions...
- How to make your submission better than 99.9% of all submissions…
- The 2 things decision-makers want to see out of your submission...
“Scott is an expert educator and artistic entrepreneur. His ability to distill years of experience into concise, easy to understand ideas is invaluable to the creative process. I have utilized several of Scott's tools and anecdotes when coaching or teaching other students in comedy and business. The funny filters he developed are especially necessary to any comedian seeking to become a professional. Scott's wisdom, kindness, and expertise are unparalleled, so if you get a chance to work with or learn from this mastermind, take it!”
Victoria Elena Nones
founder, Women In
Comedy
Co Founder of Satira Comedy, Producer of Run (The Series).
Module 4: Junior
Lesson 1: 30 different ways to make money doing comedy
- The lowest barrier-to-entry comedy jobs (that still pay great money)...
- How to break into the professional speaking circuit and start making $500 / hour...
- The best FREE method by which to promote all of your work and find sponsors...
- You probably never thought of this as a viable way to make money as a comic — but it is…
- 4 FREE tools you can use to turn your content into a real living…
Lesson 2: The 4 kinds of gatekeepers and how to get past them
- The best thing you can do to get past any gatekeeper (no matter how tough they are)...
- How to stop putting out fires in your comedy career — and learn how to prevent them instead…
- Behold... the “perfect” pitch!
- 6 crucial things to keep in mind when speaking with executives for the first time…
- What do audiences — the ultimate gatekeepers — want?
Lesson 3: The ultimate guide to properly formatting everything
- The first (and most important) thing you need to know about formatting your comedy submission...
- Doing this sends the wrong message to editors (yet most people do it)...
- Your technical breakdown of every script format (Sketch, TV, Film, Audio, Live Performance, Short)...
- A valuable rule of thumb to determine the length of any script...
- When formatting doesn’t matter at all (big time-saver)...
Lesson 4: Agents — how to get them, keep them, and make them work for you
- The 5 types of comedy agents and everything you need to know to pick the right one for your career…
- The difference between an agent, a manager, and an entertainment lawyer…
- How negotiate a fair contract…
- What it really means to “sign” with an agent…
- How to keep any agent interested in promoting and selling your work…
Lesson 5: Hold onto your money
- A real nuts and bolts lesson about how to manage your comedy earnings and keep as much of it as possible...
- The best banks for creative professionals…
- How to make your business official — and save a lot of money in the process...
- Picking the right accountant (every factor to consider)...
- 4 financial “Pro Tips” most comedians learn the hard way...
“This whole experience has been a game changer for me. I’ve followed some advice from other comedians but none compare to Comedy Business School. This is the most real, honest and helpful program for comedians out there and I wouldn’t BS ya. This was money well spent.”
—Drew Protzman,
writer and stand-up comic
Module 5: Senior
Lesson 1: What you need to know about the secret club of comedy pros
- The true difference between people who succeed in comedy and those who do not...
- If you struggle to succeed in comedy, you might have this one (completely fixable) issue...
- 2 character traits you can develop to increase your EQ to superhuman levels...
- What it really means to trust your gut in the comedy world…
- Patton Oswalt taught me the most important lesson in confidence (and how to get it) I ever learned...
Lesson 2: 6 easy wins you can have today
- Why the most important thing is NOT the quality of your material…
- The biggest mistake you can make in comedy...
- The difference between entertainment and art (and why it matters for your comedy work)...
- Do this before you ever start writing...
- The quick brainstorming trick that helps me think of 99% of my comedy…
Lesson 3: How to land a supportive, high-value mentor
- How to decide what you need from a mentor…
- How to make a great mentor choose YOU — and not the other way around…
- An email template every potential mentor would love to read...
- What to say and do when a prospective mentor says, “Sorry, I don’t have the time…”
- The one irresistible thing all of my mentees have in common…
Lesson 4: Why your goals suck
- This simple, 10-minute exercise could put the rest of your comedy life into perspective...
- Why you’re probably thinking about your future all wrong...
- How to get clear on the kind of comedy career you really want...
- How often to revisit your goals for maximum effectiveness...
- The easiest way to course-correct your goals when things don’t work out…
Lesson 5: Building your brand
- When you absolutely, positively know you have the beginning of a brand (and what to do next)...
- How to build a “Power Reputation” in comedy — and use it open countless doors…
- The single-most valuable brand TYPE you can build...
- How to turn your “personal” comedy brand into a lucrative “corporate” brand...
- How comedy works in the mind of your audience (the true secret of comedy)...
“Under Scott is where I learned how to write, edit and most importantly, produce comedy. Scott possesses (in spades) and preaches all the important stuff: attention to detail, a strong point of view, what the comedy rules are, and when and how to effectively break them. Scott was such a good mentor, I don’t even regret the blinding sincerity of these very words.”
Ben Karlin
8-time Emmy Award-winning writer
Co-creator of The Colbert Report and former executive producer of The Daily Show,
writer-producer of Modern Family and Future Man,
co-author, America: The Book
Get started
now for just
6 payments of $67
(Or save $55)
1 payment of $347
MY PERSONAL GUARANTEE
Try Comedy Business School
for a full 60 days—100% risk-free!
Comedy Business School is a dense course, so I want to give you 60 days to take it,
let it digest, and apply it to your career.
I want to make sure this is really working for you.
60 days is enough time to take the course at least once — and then decide.
If you don’t love it — if it hasn’t changed your life — I insist that you get 100% of your money back.
It’s simple: enroll in the course and try it for yourself. If my guidance doesn’t help you earn
enough money to pay for this course, you should email me. Show me that you watched
the lessons and completed the exercises — and I’ll give you all your money back.
Get started
now for just
6 payments of $67
(Or save $55)
1 payment of $347
Plus you’ll get these
bonuses…
“How to Write Funny” is Scott's signature recipe for writing jokes that get MILK-COMING-OUT-OF-YOUR-NOSE LAUGHS
“How to Write Funnier” details how to expand your jokes into longer bits, sketches and stories that GRIP AUDIENCES throughout
“How to Write Funniest” shows you how to EXPONENTIALLY improve the laugh-potential of your comedy
“23 Tips to Improve Your Stand-Up” is a game-changing checklist to INSTANTLY turn your stand-up into COMEDY GOLD
“Big Ass Cliche List” contains the 300 jokes that you absolutely must AVOID AT ALL COSTS in your comedy writing / performing
Scott's “Joke Writing Cheat Sheet” is a simple, fill-it-out-yourself tool to write HILARIOUS MATERIAL whenever you need
“Jump Start Your Comedy Career” shows you how to give your comedy the KICK THE IN THE PANTS it needs
“Supercharge Your Comedy Career” contains Scott's quickest tips for 10x-ING your road to COMEDY SUCCESS