Fast Track to Pro Speaking

07/05/2017

Collins got in touch with me from KENYA and is reveling in the boost I gave him to pursue his dream of being a comedic motivator. We're indeed a global village, and getting his funny emails about his progress is a joy.

04/24/2016

During a recent 7-day stretch, I performed in five states, from Virginia to Seattle, and MO, IN, and KY in between. I’d have been a cranky, stressed out mess had I not learned How to Stay Sane on the Plane, and I’ve posted my Top Five Tips here:
http://www.mackdryden.com/staying-sane-on-the-plane/

During a recent 7-day stretch, I performed in five states, from Virginia to Seattle, and MO, IN, and KY in between. I’d have been a cranky, stressed out mess

04/04/2016

Vegetarians and vegans: read no further. Louisville is a great foodie town, so on date night, Teri and I tried "Game," a restaurant specializing in just that. The beef marrow appetizer served in a halved femur (right photo) was delish, and we enjoyed the alpaca, bison, wagyu (gourmet Japanese beef); but, oddly, we both decided kangaroo was our favorite. G'day, mate.

03/30/2016

I know I'm in a tiny minority of people who speak for a living, but a lot of folks have to get up in front of a crowd every once in awhile. So from time to time I'll share tips that will hopefully give a little boost to the occasional speaker. Hope this helps.

http://www.mackdryden.com/5-tips-for-crafting-killer-icebreakers/

Even if you’re just an occasional speaker, you know that starting with a laugh is a good way to break the ice. You can tell a joke or grab a zinger from

12/11/2015

After I spoke in Cincinnati today, Hall of Fame Yankee manager Joe Torre made a pitch for his charity for abused children, then answered questions, talked baseball, very classy guy (thrilled me when he said, "Like Mack said..." once!). He was very gracious and complimentary, told me I was "a very funny man," and was happy to take a pic with me. I turned the tables and gave HIM an autographed book and he was very appreciative. Quite a thrill.

10/30/2015

Had a wild one in Vienna, VA, just outside the Beltway near our nation's capitol. It was a fundraiser for a great organization that helps senior citizens. They wanted to open the show--before I was even introduced--with a video of mine that's gotten 3.3 million hits on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lSliucgygc. As soon as it finished I walked onstage just like the video ends, i.e., without my pants on (but appropriately decent). KILLER opening! They were HOWLING!

http://www.mackdryden.com Lose your glasses and keys a lot? You'll recognize yourself in Mack's hilarious song.

10/16/2015

Had a terrific time yday morning with a Texas assn for telecom providers in San Antonio. They auctioned an antique firearm the night before, and the president of the assn walked through the reception crowd holding it up for everyone to see. The next morning I said: "My first impression of the group was kind of nerve-wracking. When I walked into the reception and saw Weldon waving around a double-barreled shotgun, I thought, 'If this is what he has to do for crowd control, I might be in trouble!' Great laugh, good start, wonderful time.

09/29/2015

I headlined a fundraiser for a high school in Cincinnati Sat nite and had to get aggressive with the scheduling. Two teachers were asked to do 5-min standup sets and instead hogged the limelight and did a total of 30 mins, which meant the audience would be half an hour more worn out by the time I went on. I asked Emcee Michael Flannery--a real pro--to cut the middle act by 10 mins and to keep his own patter to a minimum. Glad I did, because they were fresh enough to enjoy me but glad the show was over when it was. Don't be shy if you can improve your chances of success.

09/19/2015

I've got a great little standup gig in Indiana tonight, and on the hour-long drive up, instead of listening to the radio, I'll be going over my set, rehearsing, polishing what I want to work on and try out. It's a totally no-risk appearance, so I'm going to use it for the valuable opportunity it is. I've got four new lines and a new one-minute bit I want to try, and they'll tell me immediately if they're funny. Take advantage every time you go onstage.

09/16/2015

If you're a beginning speaker, don’t listen to the so-called experts who advise you not to watch yourself on video “if it makes you anxious or nervous.” Baloney. Videotaping yourself at home with no audience can have at least two major benefits: when the camera is rolling, you know you’re being recorded and feel pressured to do the best you can. Feeling pressure of any kind at this stage is EXACTLY what you want so it won’t be a totally alien emotion when you get onstage for the first time. Also, you’ll be amazed at what you LEARN when you watch yourself that will make you BETTER! You’re probably the ONLY person who should ever see your early attempts, so put the copies in the vault or tape over them.

09/14/2015

I did a show for 300 members of the Kentucky Emergency Services Assn Fri night (killed it), and of course Kim Davis is STILL making national news refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. I do a crazy bit where a football ref comes out as gay during a game. At the end of it I said, "I don't do that bit in Rowan County," and the place exploded in guffaws and applause. Magic!

09/09/2015

I market myself as a motivational speaker and standup comedian, and on Friday I get to do both! Speaking to an insurance group at the West Baden Resort (western IN) after lunch, then driving 120 miles to the Rising Star Casino in Rising Sun, IN, just across the river from Cincinnati to headline a comedy show! This is what I signed up for!