The Best Book on How To Become A Full-time Stand-up Comedian Paperback – April 18, 2012

I appreciated the commentary prior to each chapter of the book, based on the author's own experiences. There are consistencies in the advice given as compared to advice other comics have provided as well, but it's encouraging to know that there is a way to make "this" happen, and it doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

i'd been planning for months to hit up an open-mic night over winter break--had been keeping a .txt of joke ideas and everything--but i have to say this mini-book was the perfect nudge in the right direction last week when I found myself, day before the open-mic, wondering if i should just bail on the gig. i'd obviously already heard a bunch of successful comedians talk about their stand-up beginnings, but it was an encouraging change of pace to hear the story of a comedian who has found success on what appears to be the 'long tail' of the comedy profession--a long tail i didn't realize existed before.the author who conducted the interviews also had some great summary material--first chapter really shines light on the notion that when a comedian gets up on stage nowadays, he/she is performing as much for the youtube audience down the line as he/she is the people in the comedy club for that particular open mic night. this was cool for me to think about, because i generally do not like the comedy club crowd; probably a stereotype i should get over, i dunno, but when i think comedy club i just think of a bunch of dudes who look like comedian Gallagher but who get up on stage with even lamer acts, or who get up on stage with an electric keyboard wearing suspenders--stuff like that, moustachey kind of stuff like that. And i feel like the mediocrity of those sort of staple 1980s comedy club acts has, in the decades since, refracted the comedy club audience into a crappy audience that does not expect, or want to even open their ears to cutting edge content nor novel format/presentation.By the way: Devoll gets the "mind the youtube audience" idea across much less digressively than i just did--and i think the direct writing style is a major credit to the book throughout.i don't usually write customer reviews, but when i do, i write them for dos equis. this is the first customer review i've written that is not about dos equis.

Dan must have paid people to give these good reviews the same way he tried to pay Marc Maron to be on his podcast. (true) Look, for what its worth this book is good for beginners but all the info in this book can be found online.Now as for Dan I don't know him personally but he has an awful reputation as a comedian and a person in the comedy business. Listen to Marc Maron's podcast with Adam Mackay and listen to Marc read the letter Dan sent him. Also listen to Joe Rogan's podcast with Russell Peters (who doesn't like Dan) as Russell talks about Dan (he doesn't mention Dan's name but it has been confirmed by many comedians that he is speaking of Dan) Now Dan is not a crook or a scammer (that I know of) BUT I've been told that he has been banned from a notable comedy club for his behind the scenes actions. He's even had a comedian threaten him with a restraining order for sending bullying emails. (Which he apparently loves to do.) So my point is if you're just getting into comedy be wary of who you listen to. Not every comedian is as cool as they seem.

I've been doing comedy for about twelve years now and I wish this book had been available when I was starting out because, like Dan, and most comics, I learned almost all of the lessons in this book the hard - the way through trial and error. The book itself is a quick read with the most important information you need bullet pointed for easy reference. What I like most about the book is Dan really only gives you the information you need to get out there and get started. He doesn't bog it down with personal story after personal story. It's just deals with the basics on how to go from working 10 hours a day at a corporate job and blowing off steam (and a couple hundred bucks) on the weekend to getting paid for going out on the weekend while only working a couple hours a day.And knowing Dan personally and watching him rise through the ranks of the New York and Hollywood comedy scenes, I can think of very few people who could write a book on how to become a "professional" comedian and how to make a good living doing so than Dan Nainan.

Dan Nainan is one smart cookie and a funny cookie too - kind of a smart, funny, Indian-Japanese comedian cookie. He's got a great standup act, and now he's got a great book to go with it, for anyone who's thought about doing standup comedy themselves: The Best Book on How to Become a Full Time Stand-up Comedian. It goes through all the nuts and bolts to stop dreaming about doing comedy, and actually getting paid for it, performing for a living. There will probably be some hard work involved, and success doesn't usually come overnight, but with the practical insights in Nainan's book the path from dreaming about stand-up to doing it should be a lot smoother.

This guy lists the top comedy clubs in Chicago,and gives three bars, and does not mention the true top comedy clubs like Zanies, the Improv, Or Laugh Factory...this guy just pulled random stuff online and is selling it as a book...there is not one thing in this book that is useful. Just the fact that each chapter is only one page long, should say enough

Dan writes from experience. He is an awesome comedian, a brilliant promoter, and a smart businessman. The book is short, but the message is priceless. It would be a shame if someone just read through the 78 pages and put it down. There is much to be learned and many resources in How to Become a Full-Time Stand-up Comedian. My favorite line was " . . . the people that are going to make it are the ones that work hard while everyone else is screwing around."

I really enjoyed this book. It's a helpful resource for anyone interested in bettering themselves within the stand-up comedy world. Who is Dan Nainan? I had no idea until I read his bio and bought this book. He's a clean comic who seems to have figured it out. In my opinion, his success and credibility make his advice worth listening to...and you won't feel like you wasted your money. Great Buy!

Quite a useful book that could have been so much better.I would have liked to have seen a more personal account and direct telling of the authors experiences - good and bad. Perhaps some discussion of different styles of stand-up.

Very useful tips and a good read