Ask The Industry Podcast

Earl Okin (@EarlOkin) is a London singer-songwriter, musician and comedian. He's been performing music and musical comedy for over 40 years and knows the entire scene inside out. He also knows why things on the circuit and in Edinburgh have evolved the way they have. We talked about that and his biggest regrets along along with the biggest lessons he's learned. You can find Earl on his website or listen to him on his podcast.I got him on the pod to talk about - Starting on the folk circuit and what it was like when it folded.The history of the comedy circuit and how it has developed the way it has.How he makes a living as an alternative performer.The “old Edinburgh Fringe” and how and why it changed.How he went from being the “blue eyed boy” of Jongleurs to never wanting to set foot in the clubHow the Edinburgh Fringe died as a Fringe FestivalWhy what’s happening in pop music is happening in comedy and why he thinks it’s damaging.How musical comedians are treated behind the scenes.&nb

Described in the Telegraph as "the funniest man you've never heard of" Henry Normal is an award winning comedian, TV producer, poet and writer. He set up Baby Cow Productions with Steve Coogan and has toured with Pulp. He starred in Packet of Three, and co-write The Royal Family and the Parole Officer. He's done it all.I got him on the pod to talk about -  Why he struggled to transfer his comedy to TV.How he picked his stage name and why.Why he founded Baby Cow and how they operate.How to get your start in TV / radio / professional writing.The future of TV in his opinion. AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone interested in TV, radio, professional writing, being a poet and Baby Cow productions. You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/HenryNormalOr get it on iTunes here - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-the-industry-podcast/id946220937If you enjoyed it please consider supporting the po

Sam Brady (@SamBrady) is a comedian who had no management, no PR, no agent, no TV or radio credits... but what he did have was a show that he believed in that he wanted to tour. He took his show around the country to arts centres and theatres and has no started to do it again with his new tour. He's come on the pod to talk about how he did it, what he learned and what you should avoid doing...I got him on the pod to talk about - Why did he start booking his own tours?How did he get over any insecurities to sell his show.How far ahead did he need to plan the tourWhat are his big red flags for venuesHis biggest mistakes and learnings for touring a showHow box office splits work. AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone interested in organising their own tour or is interested in the behind the scenes of the touring circuit.You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/SamBradyOr get it on iTunes here - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast

Graham (@mrgrahamksmith) has been an Executive Producer for the BBC and a Commissioning Executive for Channel 4 and Channel Five. He has also run his own successful independent production company.He's currently the co-founder and owner of Grand Scheme Media (@grand_scheme).I got him on the pod to talk about -  How to develop a great TV pitch.The future of TV and how advertising is going to impact the future development of the mediumWhy comedy (generally) doesn’t make money on TV.The future of “second screen” experiences in TV.Why building a community is the future of content.Why comedy is harder than drama. AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes of the TV industry, or who is trying to get their idea on the box!You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/GrahamSmithOr get it on iTunes here - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-the-industry-podcast/id946220937If you enjoyed it please consider

The European Comedy Festival Network consists (currently) of 4 comedy festivals spread out over Europe who all share information, talent and shows to help make their festivals the best they can be. In this live Q&A recorded at the Leicester Comedy Festival we discussed -The relationship between the festivals and Dave’s role in all of this. What their audiences want and what types of shows do and don’t work at each festival. How each festival is trying to attract new shows and more audiences. Are you looking for finished shows or work in progress shows? What is the European Comedy Festival Network? How to sell your show to a European market. The best way of getting the attention of a festival scout. If Edinburgh is the “year mark” for a comedian, where does your festival fit in around that. AND MORE!The guests are - 1) Geoff Rowe - Founder of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival. http://www.comedy-festival.co.uk/2) Maria Jeppesen - Zulu Comedy Festival (Copenhagen) http://zulucome

David Mulholland founded the Soho Comedy Club (@SohoComedyClub) 10 years ago. Since then it has grown to 4 shows over 3 nights a week and all of them are ticketed and paid work for performers.I got him on the podcast to talk about... Why he’s frustrated about being known as a promoter and not a comedian.Has it become harder to run a paid night?His thoughts on the “free comedy” nights in London.What nights he makes a profit, loss or breakeven on and why.His thoughts on Inky Jones and London Comedy Club.How to market a London club effectively.How running his own club helped him become a full time comedian quicker than he would have done without it.How do you think the closure of Time Out comedy will impact you and other newer clubs? AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone interested in the London comedy scene, running a night in the capital and what methods of promoting comedy work and don't work.You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/DavidMulholla

Ally Wilson is the head of live at CKP (@ckpcomedy). CKP are a global touring agent who also organise extended London runs for performers at long established venues including the Soho Theatre.I got her on the podcast to talk about...What is the Guinea pig club?When you’re looking for shows are you looking by thinking “I need to find something that works in this venue” or are you just looking for good shows?Are competitions worth doing?What is the industry's opinion of them?Are competitions filtering out some acts who struggle with 5 spots or aren’t snappy enough for gong shows?Do you worry about missing acts because of this?What sells a tour? Awards? Quotes? Credits?Is the live club circuit tied up within “industry” and how hard would it be for a performer without management to break through and play them regularly?Should you want to play every room?Is this idea a positive or negative one?Will quality always rise to the top or are there too many acts which means some are getting overlooked?Do TV com

Daniel Sloss (@Daniel_Sloss) is a comedian who is noteworthy because he became a professional live performer while still in his teens. He was the youngest comedian to perform a solo season in London's West End aged 19 and also signed a DVD deal with BBC WW’s 2Entertain label. He was also commissioned by the BBC for a broadcast sitcom pilot The Adventures of Daniel, and has appeared on US Television programmes including The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and ConanI got him on the podcast to talk about... What’s it like starting comedy at 16 and going pro before the age of 20?Why he made an online TV series instead of approaching a TV channel.Why he feels bad for jumping on the bandwagon witch hunt for Dapper Laughs.What is the worst show he’s ever done?What it’s like being pushed forward with TV credits and how he handled rushing ahead of other people. AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone who wants to go full time as a performer and wants to know what the reality of

This is just a short episode to answer a few on going questions...  Things mentioned in order -  Join the Facebook Group hereLeave us a review in iTunes here.Become a pod Patron here.Donate via PayPal on the website here.Pre-order my book here.Thanks for the support everyone. It means the world!  Si Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/asktheindustry.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adam Bloom has been performing stand up for 23 years. He's sold out Edinburgh Fringe runs, he's appeared on TV, he's written for other comedians and is a regular on the corporate circuit. He's done it all and in this podcast we attempt to get to the bottom of how you can do it all as well!I got him on the podcast to talk about... His thoughts on social media and how he uses itHow he sold out all of his Edinburgh Fringe runs.Why he’s not been back to Edinburgh for over 5 years.His thoughts on Free vs Paid Fringe.How long did it take him to become a full time comedian and can what he did be done now?Advice on getting and storming corporate gigs.Why he actually likes corporate gigs more than clubs.Can he make a living from the live circuit alone?His opinions on TV panel shows and why he’s not on them any more. AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone who wants to go full time as a performer and wants to know what the reality of that is like but also performers who want to get into othe

Joe Charman found fame on Vine with his short jokes and "skills" videos which have led to him becoming an internet sensation. We talk about the highs and lows of going viral, dealing with haters, what it's like getting spotted in the street and how you can create your own fan base using the internet.I got him on the podcast to talk about... His thoughts on Vine and other platformsWhy he considers himself an “entertainer” and not a “comedian”What it was like being the tour support for Dapper Laughs while he was going through the controversy. How he found his voice and then found his audience.How he misses the anonymity of performing without the pressure of being “famous”.Does he think sponsored vines are “selling out” and how can you make money from being a Viner.How to make your content go viral.Can he make enough from adverts alone?How did you get the job as the support act for the Dapper Laughs tour? AND MORE!This podcast would be useful to anyone who wants to build their own online fan

Anne Edyvean is the head of the BBC Writers Room. The Writers Room is the creative heart of the BBC set up to discover and develop writing talent for future shows.I got her on the podcast to talk about...What is the BBC writers room?What are they looking for in scriptsHow the internet has impacted people’s attention and the BBC.How to make a living as a writer and where you can get your “10,000 hours” and first credits. AND MORE! This podcast would be useful to anyone comedians or writers looking at getting their work seen by the BBC and developing a career in television.  You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/AnneEdyveanOr get it on iTunes here - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-the-industry-podcast/id946220937If you enjoyed it please consider supporting the podcast by becoming a Patron for only $1 (80p) per episode! https://www.patreon.com/AskTheIndustryPodcast Please buy a ticket or three to my Edinburgh Fringe 2019 sh

Jeremy Lee is one of the co-founders of the corporate booking agency JLA. JLA are the biggest corporate booking company in the country dealing with over 2,500 gigs per year booking comedians, writers, performers and even ex-prime ministers.I got him on the podcast to talk about... How to get started on the corporate gigging circuit?How much can you expect to get paid for a corporate gig?Why he tries not to book “famous” comedians over good comedians.How the recession helped the corporate comedy circuit.Tips for people wanting to perform well at a corporate gig.Are corporate gigs a “boys club”? AND MORE! This podcast would be useful to anyone comedians who are looking at breaking into the corporate circuit or newer comedians who maybe have some preconceptions of the corporate scene. This podcast dispels a lot of myths about these gigs and aims to help performers get into the circuit. You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/JeremyLeeOr get it on i

Sam Wills is a New Zealand prop-comic residing in London. On stage he performs as The Boy with Tape on His Face. He's been performing since 2001 starting in New Zealand working his way towards the Edinburgh Fringe.I got him on the podcast to talk about... Should you be friends with your fans?The difference between British and New Zealand comedy scenes.Why he is a silent act Will you get to an age where you’re no longer “the boy” but “the man”?Why having “fame” as your end goal is badThe value of having a 5-year plan in achieving your goalsHow he found his agent and advice on picking the right agentHow he uses the Australian festivals to preview his shows on the other side of the world to prep for Edinburgh and the UK How to turn a marketing problem (not being able to describe his act) into an opportunity.How has social media helped / hurt your career?And how talking to his audience on social media has helped him keep his audience keen on the act.How he uses “joke structures” the same way comedi

What is this?This is an audiobook extract of my new book (sorry no interview here, but don't pass over it... I think you're going to like this).Short StoryI want to publish my new book "How To Make A Living By Working For Free".Slightly Longer StoryHi... my name is Simon. Welcome to my crowdfunding project.For the past 6 years I've worked in social media. In short this means I write jokes and make images for the internet. The longer story is I build communities through excellent free content that attracts an audience for brands.For the last 5 years I've been a gigging comedian slowly building a fan base online through free content. I've used the knowledge and skills I've built in my day job to make communities around the different channels I operate in online.This book explains everything I've learned from obsessively reading, learning and trying to work out how relationships build online, how to build a community around what you do as an artist to find, nurture and grow your community on and offline.What We

Iain Coyle is a British TV presenter, producer and comedian who has worked on TV shows like Big Brother's Big Mouth and Shooting Stars. He is the current comedy commissioner for UKTV and Dave TV.I got him on the podcast to talk about... How to get your idea on TV? (and his email address)What the Dave TV audience likes to watch (and why)Why getting something on TV is not always a good thing.The best / worst show he’s ever worked on.Vital info on TV channels tone of voice.How he champions TV show ideas he likes and the process of getting them made.His thoughts on just doing something and sharing it with the world to find an audience for it before approaching TV channels.The TV channels relationship with Dave's Leicester Comedy FestivalAND MORE! This podcast would be useful to anyone who is interested in writing for TV, the best way of contacting a channel or the process that happens behind the scenes in producing shows for television.  You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - 

Chris Young and Jake Alexander founded the Hastings Comedy Festival in 2015. 2016 is their first year in operation and although they're not the most established comedy festival I got them on to talk about how to set up a comedy festival as well as...What makes the Hastings Fringe unique?Which kind of acts are they're trying to attract?How to market your show if you don't live in Hastings?How to set up a comedy festival and what are the biggest mistakes / learning points they have to share.What advice would they have for acts looking at doing the Hastings FringeAND MORE! This podcast would be useful to anyone who is interested in doing the Hastings Fringe or starting their own festival. You can stream the podcast here (with show notes) - http://simoncaine.co.uk/ATI/HastingsFringeOr get it on iTunes here - https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/ask-the-industry-podcast/id946220937If you enjoyed it please consider supporting the podcast by becoming a Patron for only $1 (80p) per episode!&nb

Adam Larter (@lartymcparty) founded the Weirdos comedy club (@weirdoscomedy) in 2010. Not a traditional club, it's actually a revolving line up of comedians who act out shows, sketches and plays which he writers as well as a comedy night and a yearly panto. I got him on the podcast to talk about - What does “alternative comedy” mean to him? Has the term “alternative comedy” changed its meaning since the 1980s? Does alternative just mean something which isn’t mainstream and can an alternative comedian ever make it as a mainstream act? Why he does not do previews of his shows. Why he loves flyering at the Edinburgh Fringe (and why he’d gladly help you flyer your show!) How he has managed to make a profit in Edinburgh every year. What it is like being involved in the alternative circuit and how supportive it is. Is it harder to get constructive feedback from an audience who like what you do?AND MORE! This podcast would be useful to anyone who is interested in building their own following for their

Jessie joined Janklow & Nesbit in 2010, shortly after graduating from Leeds University with a degree in English Literature. As well as building up her list of fiction and non-fiction authors, she runs the company’s social media presence and sells foreign rights across a number of different territories. On the fiction side she’s looking for stand-out voices and original storytelling; novels that ask difficult questions, and explore the answers to those questions in a unique and imaginative way. I got her on the podcast to talk about -What is a literary agent?Where do you even start looking for the right agent?When should you approach an agent, what should you send and what are the common errors writers make?What happens from finding a book idea to getting it on the shelf with an agent.What books sell best in what countryThe value of social media for an author when pitching a book. Is the trend of internet celebrities getting book deals a fad? Or the way forward for the publishing industry?Ar

Sara Cywinski is Senior Commissioner of Comedy, Humour & Gift Books at eBury Random House (the worlds largest publisher). She's previously written books including Kate:Style Princess and been an "ideas generator" for books at John Blake Publishing. She's been at eBury for nearly 3 years and enjoys combining her love for social media with discovering the new big thing in writing. I got her on the podcast to talk about - How Random House scouts for authors using social mediaHow to get noticed by Random House Does Amazon have too much power in the book industry?What are selling more, digital or physical books and what’s the future for both?What is a good way of getting noticed by Random House without sending something weird to the office?Can I book just be launched as book or does it need to have a tour / launch party / blog content associated with it?How long does it take for a book to go from an idea to the bookshelf?When is the best time to bring out a comedy / humour book? How mu