Why You Should Write Like a Professional Comedy Writer (Part 1)

This week, I’m going to explain how to make your content funnier.

I’m going to show you how to do this because the key to everything is your ability to write copy that captures and holds people’s attention.

There’s no one better on this planet at doing that than a comedy writer.

So, if you can work on one thing this week, it should be on improving your writing.

If you can do that, you’ll see more advertising, marketing, and content convert successfully.

Unfortunately, few set aside the time to develop this skill.

Why?

We’re Bad At Building New Habits

If you don’t write it down, it’s not getting done. Keeping track of what you need to do each day is as simple as that.

I tell this to people all the time.

You know what they tell me?

• I’m too busy.
• I’m too distracted.
• I don’t own a pen.

That said, I’m going to show you a magic trick.

I’m going to turn you into a halfway decent comedy writer in 90 days.

(No. I’m not going to email you once a day for the next 90 days. At least, not yet anyway …)

Here’s how to do it, in part one of this guide. We’ll return with Part 2 next week, which will cover concept, subtext, and mining your ideas for gold.

If you follow the six steps (from part 1 and 2) and do it for 90 days, you’ll develop a new habit that will also make you a funnier person.

And funny people are the ones we pay attention to.

Step 1: Download the Forest app at ForestApp.co

Forest will help you keep track of your time on any device and plant trees while you do it.

(We need a trillion trees planted to fight and eventually reverse Climate Change. This is the world’s greatest two-for-one deal. You get more productive. The planet gets trees.)

Once you’ve got the app, set a timer for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Get a Paper Calendar

Now, go get yourself a paper calendar. Any kind will do, but it can’t be digital. That’s where everyone goes wrong. It MUST be a paper calendar.

I highly recommend one from Subpar Parks. (Keep an eye on their Instagram account for announcements on when the next one will become available.)

The reason why the calendar can’t be on your phone is that you need something close to you that serves as a visual reminder of what you need to do.

One that won’t distract you from what needs to get done.

And what you need to get done is to play a game.

Step 3: Write Like Hell: The Game!

Ready for the last, and most entertaining, step?

However you’re scheduling your day, write down or block out fifteen minutes.

It doesn’t matter when you do this. It doesn’t matter how you do this.

It matters that you do it.

Most people suggest the morning because that’s what works for them, but find a window that works for you and stick with it.

(I do it at night for fifteen minutes before bed. All while smoking weed. But you do you.)

During those 15 minutes, write like hell.

No editing.

No stopping.

Just 15 minutes straight until your Forest Timer stops. Then, when you stop for the day, put an X on your calendar.

You win the game when you can fill every day with an X on your calendar.

Just by starting this process, you’ve become 20% funnier.

This is because you’ve alerted your brain to become more observant. And the more observational you are, the more connections you’ll make.

Comedy can be boiled down to “gossip and trickery” as Norm Macdonald put it. If you can surprise people, you’re 80% of the way to making them laugh.

And you make people laugh by making comparisons and finding things that do not go together.

But we’ll get to that part next week.

Until then, if you stick to this habit over the next 90 days, and follow the directions in my next email, you’ll get into the mindset of a professional comedy writer and immediately improve all of your content.

And maybe even your relationships with other people too. Including the audience, you want to grow.

When You’re Ready, Here’s How I Can Help You

-You can book a free, 15-minute call with me to get your most pressing marketing questions answered. Click here to book some time.

-You can buy me a coffee for $5, or go for an annual membership of $60, which gets you access to my new book as I’m constructing it. Click here to buy me a coffee.*

-I save only four spots each month for clients who want 20 hours of hands-on coaching and consulting work. Currently, only two spots remain. Would you like one? Email me at BJ@BJMendelson.com or reply to this email.

*You also get a bonus chapter of my new book, The Richest Man in Babylon: Championship Edition, if you buy the annual $60 membership.

Every time you buy me a coffee for $5 or pay for an annual membership of $60, 100% of that money goes directly into the budget for WAYWO.TV.

-BJ