Having trouble viewing this newsletter? Click here.

The Latest from Brad Montgomery

1. Skip “Tuesdays With Morrie“…. I’m going with “Thursdays with Clarice.”

2. (Not Even Light-) Blue Humor

3. It’s not funny but…. (Killer computer resource!)

4. Cool links that will make you laugh.

Thursdays with Granny

My grandmother died at age 100. A funny thing happened when when she was a perky 97 year old. Clarice Montgomery is a sometimes grumpy, sometimes childish, sometimes mean but always lovable woman who is also ALWAYS thrilled when I visit her in her nursing home.

When I get there for my irregular visits, she says without fail, “Oh Brad! I was hoping you would come today.” And happily, she is always willing to laugh at my jokes. (Well… nearly always.)

During my most recent visit I realized how smart she can be. Who needs TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE? I’ve got Thursdays with Granny. On this last visit it was a dreary, yucky, cloudy wet day in my home town of Denver. It was one of those depressing days that makes you want to stay home in bed with a good novel. Ok, I’ll say it; the day sucked.

She and one of her aides told me about how earlier that day they got their coats on, and went for a “roll” (Granny’s in a wheel chair) outside in the weather. Yup, you heard that right. My 97 year old matriarch went out to play in the rain.

I made a joke, “Did you jump in the puddles?”

“Yes.” But it was clear that this wasn’t what she wanted to tell me and that my jokes were just in the way. She told me about the smells, the sounds and the feeling of the air. “It was wonderful, Brad. Just wonderful.” And by the dreamy look in her eyes — something I’m NOT used to seeing from this no-nonsense woman — it was clear that it was wonderful.

I felt like an idiot. I was rushing round doing errands, one of which was visiting my granny. She was just another thing to “check off” my list. I was having trouble enjoying the day; I was having trouble being in the moment. And granny was waxing poetic on a short trip into inclement weather.

Yup, Granny is pretty smart. But on that day she was brilliant.

Thanks Grandmother! Love you!

(Now I gotta go put on my galoshes.)

===================================================

Why Does Humor Have To Be Clean?

Those of you who have seen my programs know that I work clean. I don’t use any blue humor. Why?

There are a ton of reasons, including the fact that I just don’t feel that you need to “cross that line” in order to get a laugh.

But to be honest, one of the biggest reasons is self serving: working clean is good for business. Because every single client can use a speaker who uses crystal clean humor and comedy. But only a few can use somebody who works blue. Bottom line: the market for clean is bigger.

My theory is that funny comes first. If people are laughing until their faces hurt, they don’t care if you are clean or not. In fact most of them won’t notice. (Have you, for example, ever noticed that Bill Cosby and Seinfeld work very clean? My guess is that you haven’t thought of it… but you know they are funny, right?)

But if you are working blue or dirty, then there always be some percentage of your audience who will freak out. It might only be 1% of the audience, but you’re guaranteed to tick somebody off if you cuss, talk about sex, race and/or gender.

Who wants to deal with that when you don’t need it?

And worse… what if it is your meeting planner, the company CEO or some other crucial decision maker who is in that 1%? Comedy Suicide.

It just ain’t worth it. Don’t take the chance.

Work Clean. It Pays.

Are YOU interested in becoming a professional speaker? Want to learn some comedy and humor skills? Presentation skills? Wanna learn about the business of motivational keynote speakers? Sign up for my totally separate newsletter here to get a ton of cool audios and other stuff… as my treat. Sign up here.

Killer computer resource?

Back Up Your Computer

It’s not funny, but…

I had a huge scare with my computer data, and found an awesome service that is so good I just need to share it.

It’s a unbelievably easy to use back up utility that keeps your most important files on your computer safe from error, fire, theft, and random screw ups. And best of all… it doesn’t cost anything. It’s F R E E. What better deal could you ask for?

I use it. My wife uses it, and two of my best pals use it. And several small businesses that I know of use it.

I can’t believe it took me this long to find it.

And we all love it. And you will too. Here’s the link again.

Other Resources

Looking to Book a Speaker and need some Valuable Tips? Click Here.

Subscribe

Are you a believer in the power of levity and lightheartedness and its ability to help your organization get to where it deserves to be? Are you having trouble convincing the masses? Give us a call. We can help.

book-brad

Book Brad For Your

Next Meeting

Get 50 Free Copies

speaker-packet

Ruts are comfortable;  but they bore us and make us boring. And no matter what it is you’re after, being boring won’t help you get it.

call-brad
call-brad
Follow on Twitter
facebook

Get 50 Free Copies

A year of Brad’s audio! $54.77
bargains Follow Brad on Twitter
www.bradmontgomery.com

You received this email because at one time you have subscribed to this service. If you’d like to unsubscribe , just scroll all the way down and we’ll make it really easy for ya with one click!

Copyright © 2010 Brad Montgomery. All rights reserved

The details:

Brad Montgomery is a laugh-out-loud funny motivational
speaker, humor at work expert and Meeting Energizer. Speaking. Facilitation. Customized High-Energy Content Games. Master of Ceremonies, & Copy Boy.

Reach Brad at 800.624.4280 http://www.BradMontgomery.com

© 2010 Brad Montgomery Productions Inc., All rights reserved.
You are welcome to use material from this newsletter
in whole or in part, as long as you include complete
attribution, including live web site link. Please also
notify me where the material will appear.
If you want to change your email address or unsubscribe,
please don’t email me. Click the link at the very bottom.
Only takes a second or two to leave or to make changes.
Thanks! But before you do, think about this: what if
the next newsletter has the winning lotto numbers, and
every reader wins… but you? Hey, it could happen.
So don’t be too hasty.

PRIVACY and SPAM POLICY:

First of all, I hate Spam…
(unless it’s fried). I never rent, trade or sell my
email list to anyone for any reason whatsoever. Not
even if they give me $1 Million. (If they give
me $3 Million, you might be in trouble, but

seriously, what are the chances?) You’ll never
get an unsolicited email from a stranger

as a result of joining this list. Not that
I’m not pretty strange, but… well… you get the idea.

TYPOS!

Finally, some readers love to find typos, grammar errors and other sundry goofs. I occasionally leave them in just to make those people happy. So if you found some… Yippee! It’s you’re lucky day.

If you’re still reading this far down, you REALLY need to find a hobby. It’s over! All done.

Seriously dude. It’s time to get back to work. Don’t you have some email to return or something?

Ok, now you’re just pushing it. You need some serious help with time management. Move on baby! This thing is over!

Since you’re still here, here’s a video of a flash mob performance in Seattle. I love it for two reasons. One, the energy is undeniable. I’d love to be part of one, and I’d love to witness one. Second, what killer marketing for the TV show. Hire some dancers, and let YouTube have it’s way. I wish I had thought of it.

You must be craving more. Why are you here? I bet you have something that you SHOULD be doing but don’t want to. Clean your desk. Get coffee. Call your mom.

There has to be a better way to procrastinate than this!

Since you’re here …might as well check out my blog. (Hey! If you can’t fight it, embrace it!)