Business Spotlight: Upstage Comedians

Intimate Conversation with Darryl Hutchins founder of Upstage Comedians

Darryl Hutchins is a Christian comedian known as D'Lo (The Bernie Mac of Christian Comedy). He has been doing comedy for over 15 years. His comic style puts you in the mind of the late Bernie Mac. He has been featured on TV shows, Radio Talk Shows and various newspapers. As owner of Upstage Comedians, a booking agency for clean and Christian comedians, he is providing a service to connect customers with comedians across the country. His company is one of the fastest growing agencies for booking comedians.

View Videos of Darryl Hutchins here

About Upstage Comedians: Upstage Comedians is an agency where people can book clean & Christian comedians for any venue. They have booked comedians for corporate events, church events, anniversaries, birthday parties, cruises, comedy shows, and family reunions. The comedy they provide is safe for all ages. Ask about their comedy tours and all inclusive packages. They have packages to fit just about any budget.

Intimate Discussion:
ELLA: Did your company change the way consumers were previously taught to think?
Oh yes, definitely! We have been taught that laughter and the church doesn't mix. I have had people tell me it's not polite to play with God. We are not making fun of Christianity at all. We are taking life events or funny things that have happened in church and present them to the audience in a way that's non-offensive. In Luke 6:22 the Bible states " ... blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh." We all know the scripture that "A merry heart does the soul good like a medicine." This is a ministry as well as a service. Our mission it to throw out old tradition and bring in new fresh laughter.

ELLA: Where did you get your start in this business/industry?
I would say it really started in high school when I would get beat up for joking on people. I knew I was funny, so I would perform comedy wherever I could. When I turned my life over to Christ, I decided to start doing Christian comedy. I didn't know where to begin, so I rented school auditoriums and started hosting my own comedy shows. I hooked up with Pat G'Orge-Walker (Sister Betty) and we started doing shows together. Soon thereafter, I started Upstage Comedians and the list of comedians kept growing.

ELLA: What separates you and your firm from the competition?
A lot of agencies have limited access to comedians. They may have one, two, or three comedians. We have a list of comedians all over the United States. We get a lot of calls from people that have booked a comedian elsewhere and for some reason, the comedian had to cancel. If that happens with Upstage Comedians, we are able to book a replacement comedian, sometimes at short notice. Plus, we have a relationship with our comedians. In some cases, we are able to negotiate prices for our clients. We have been able to get in contact with comedians that others have failed to contact. Plus, we make sure the comedians on our website are truly funny. You won't have to worry about having a "boring" comedian at your event.

ELLA: What is your biggest challenge in business? How did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was family. They told me to stop doing comedy because I can't get anywhere in life telling jokes. They said go to college, get a good paying job with benefits and stop living in a fantasy world. They even went so far as to have a comedian call me, who was struggling with finances, and tell me how hard it is to make it as a comedian. I stopped doing comedy for about 8 years. I started working at Embarq and I would keep people laughing at work. People encouraged me to do comedy. That's when I decided to rent school auditoriums and host comedy shows. My supervisor told me my shows are too good for a small town and I should move to a bigger city. I have strong faith in God, so I moved from New Bern, NC to Raleigh, NC. That's when the ministry really took off. I remembered a sermon where a pastor said, "The opposite of fear is faith." So, when you get scared, use faith to overcome your fear.

ELLA: What are 3 things all leaders possess?
Faith, Vision & Courage. You MUST have faith and put that faith into action. Next you have vision, and write it down-make it plain. Then the courage to do it.


ELLA: What's new in your company for 2009?
Right now we are planning an online talk show, a reality TV show and setting up a comedy store where people can order DVD's and other products. We are always looking for ways to improve.

To book a comedian or a comedy tour contact:
Darryl Hutchins
Founder/Comedian
Upstage Comedians
P.O. Box 1424
Cary, NC 27512-1424
www.upstagecomedians.com
Phone: 866-988-7987 ext. 2

-----------------------------------------------------
Join the Conversation, leave questions or comments below. Each day active bloggers are selected to win free books and prizes, so leave your email address with each post. Thank you!EDC Creations Book Promotions

Business Spotlight: Especially Yours Events

Especially Yours Events has been in service since March 08. I've gotten the chance to find out what services are helpful to authors and which are not necessarily needed. We now offer:

Literary Coaching: To offer So You Want To Be An Author Part I and II. Part I talks about how to turn the concept in your head into a manuscript and Part II talks about how to market your book and promote your career. Also helping authors to edit their manuscript developmentally to create the best work possible to be published.


I have been doing some developmental editing on the side for some people to help them with developing story lines and creating in depth characters and plots. This goes along with some of what I will offer authors in helping them to develop their books and crafting their writing styles as a Literary Coach. I've noticed that a lot of authors are coming out with books that are not well written and I would like to focus on shaping the writing techniques and styles of authors.

Event Planning: I will be coordinating literary events that seek to showcase authors that may not be featured in the large book stores. The events will also bring readers and authors together.
I will no longer be doing booking and scheduling services for individual authors or setting up book tours. I'm choosing to focus on assisting authors with strengthening their writing styles as I've taken time out to really look at where my talents lie.

Please share this information with authors that you come across if they are in need. Thanks for all of your help with promoting my business! If you have any questions, please don't hesistate to ask!

Tamara Angela Grant

Author
www.tamaraangelagrant.com
www.myspace.com/maraangel
www.victoriousmagazine.com

Publicist
www.eventsbyespeciallyyours.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/thecolorpages
-----------------------------------------------------

Join the Conversation, leave questions or comments below. Each day active bloggers are selected to win free books and prizes, so leave your email address with each post. Thank you!
EDC Creations Book Promotions

Advertise on this Blog

Advertising Available for the Black Author Network Blog
Make all payments by clicking here

Free Advertising Available

Submit free, well edited articles to the EDC Creations Magazine, read guidelines here.

Submit (2) books or promotional materials for baskets and giveaways by emailing Ella.

Join us in the Black Authors Network Chat room, visit during the shows here.

Create contests or giveaways to be aired on the BAN Radio Show, email Ella.

Link Promotion--$10.00 (6 months)

Your link listed down all the main pages; in exchange for this low price, we ask that the EDC Creations link become listed on your website or blog for 6 months. We will take your link down in 7 days, if we do not see our link on your site or blog. Email Ella when it is posted to your site.
Here is the link and name: EDC Creations Media Group http://www.edc-creations.com

Commercials Aired on BAN Radio Show--$25.00 (3 times)
Aired 3 times in one week; Client creates 1 min. audio mp3 file; Podsafe music only-no copyrighted music! Audio can be for a event, book or business. Must be of high quality. Reserve the right to refuse recordings based on quality and background music.

Business Banner Ads--$25.00

Banner placed at the top of site for 14 days. Link to your site or bookseller

Pre-designed, Size: 468 x 80 Full Banner or 250 x 250 square see example

Business Banner Ads (Sidebar)--$35.00
Banner placed on the sidebar for 14 days. Link to your site or bookseller

Pre-designed, Size: 240 x 400 Fat Skyscraper see example

Book Cover Ads--$45.00

Book cover displayed down the sidebar for 45 days. Link to your site or bookseller

Pre-designed, Size: 185 x 278 (no larger) see example


Full Page Book Spotlight--$65.00
Large book cover graphic or e-flyer; Book preview; Video Trailer; Link to Bookseller
Page stays on the blog for 4 months; written interview can be included.


To purchase advertising on the BAN Blog, visit the EDC Creations' payment center and make the payment with Paypal or your credit card. Email Ella with all the materials to complete your project: edc_dg@yahoo.com No refunds or exchanges of services!

Make all payments for advertising on the BAN Blog by clicking here

Business Spotlight: Simply Said Reading Accessories

Intimate Conversation with Simply Said Reading Accessories

“Can I Make Your Mark?”

Hello Black Authors Network,

I am Debra Owsley, and I am the owner and creator of a line of handmade reading accessories that I call gift-marks, book thongs, and other promotional items for authors, book stores, and book lovers.

The “Gift-Marks”, are oversized, colorful, creative, and unique bookmarks that I create. These Gift-Marks are more of a gift, or a keepsake item. These souvenir type promotional tools are excellent marketing items that are designed with your fan base in mind. When creating this product, all of your promotional and retention needs are met. In making these keepsakes for your fans, all of your contact information, book covers, synopses, web info and almost anything your fans need to stay in contact with you is there. Even after they are awaiting your next masterpiece and reading another, they are still looking at you and your information.

The Gift-Mark also comes in a half size, which is perfect for a mass paperback as well as an oversized business card/bookmark!

The Book Thongs are book jewelry for the book lover. What woman doesn't love a piece of jewelry? They are sexy, unique, and very pretty. They come in many jeweled colors and types. They are excellent contest prizes and promotional gifts. They are also designed not to slip of out your book. The come packaged with an insert, which can be your book cover and a message from you!

Simply Said Reading Accessories also creates a line of note cards and book plates that can be signed and sent as a thank you to a fan or a book club after hosting an event for you. I also wholesale to book stores and card shops; I have over 200 pre-designed bookmarks in categories such as motivational, religious, wise and witty, children’s, pet lovers, provocative, and more. I do have a perfect one for everyone you know.

Simply Said Reading Accessories has done custom work for authors such as Donna Hill, Rochelle Alers, Marcia King-Gamble, Noire, Cheryl Robinson, Dwan Abrams, L.A. Banks street team, Pat G’Orge Walker, LaConnie Taylor Jones, SORMAG, Marissa Monteilh, and this is just to name a few.


Intimate Conversation with Simply Said Reading Accessories

Debra, finish this sentence: I am Powerful because...
I know to surround myself with people who are smarter than I
I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge
I am not afraid to try
I absolutely love what I do

Ella: Nicolo Machiavelli says, "It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new one." Did your company change the way consumers were previously taught to think?
Yes. Stop thinking only quantity think also of quality, and to raise the bar.


Ella: What got you started in this business/industry? How did you start your writing or speaker's journey?
It all started by me giving all of my clients gifts for the holidays. They read under the dryer, I am a hairstylist. So it was a natural fit. I also added my salon information on them. One of my clients is author Marcia King-Gamble and she asked me to customize some for her. That’s Simply Said, how it all started. Giving them that gift became a gift for me.


Ella: What separates you and your firm from the competition?
Because I am such an avid reader, I really try to bring the authors vision to life as they try to do in their books. I know and understand that having your brand embedded into memory, is one of the most important things an author can do. Simply Said Reading Accessories is a signature, a brand, a gift that shows you've gone the extra mile. It also says that you have invested in yourself. Also I am first and foremost a fan so I tend to look at things from both angles, a business aspect as well as a fans point of view. Realizing and using those two visions I am able to create a good fit for the authors and their fans.


Ella: What one thing would you do if you knew you could not fail?
Hire help knowing I can pay them!!


Ella: Describe the strangest thing that has ever happened to you in your business?
Well, not strange but funny, I had to come up with a gimmick to get peoples attention. So I created a tee shirt that says, “Wanna See My Thong”??? I wear it to book events I attend. When I ask women “do you wanna see my thong” they answer back, no I have my own! I then say I want to show you mine anyway and they almost cringe at what the may see! I even had a few run. LOL Now of course the guys say YES!


Ella: What is your biggest challenge in business? How did you overcome it?
Honestly it was convincing people why my product is worth the money. Authors have gotten used to doing the 5000 throw away types. That I had to really work hard to make them understand that yes… those are appropriate in some venues but think of “gifting” your fans. Especially your loyal fans and Book clubs that support you. This has been one of the hardest they to get across, I am overcoming it by word of mouth and people seeing others using them as promotional material. http://simply-said.net/authorlounge.html

I created this slide show showing where most of the throw away type bookmarks end up after a festival and I caused a bit of a rumble. It made people stop and think about how your promo materials actually can be held on too. It opened a dialog.


Ella: What advice would you give someone just starting out in your industry?
In the Movie Dream Girls, there is a song called Patience and is the one thing YOU MUST HAVE in this business and in life... Do your homework. There is so much to learn. Please don't just jump without studying the industry. You'll save your self a lot of time, money and tears. Also re-invest back into your business.


Ella: What do you enjoy most about your profession?
I love meeting like minded people that are sharing, networking, meeting authors, seeing the finished products and the endorsements!! I am also enjoying traveling to many book events all over the country.


Ella: What are 3 things all leaders possess?
Drive, determination, and faith.


Ella: What's new in your company for 2009?
Simply Said Reading Accessories is also adding new products and services! I have learned so much over the last few years that I will be starting a consultation division, to the growing list of services. I will be coaching you on how to get the optimum results out of your marketing budget, creating themes, and how to do it. Please contact me for additional information. This extension will be launched very soon.

“Can I Make Your Mark”?


Please visit my sites at: http://www.simply-said.net/
http://www.simplysaid.ning.com/
www.myspace.com/odebsimplysaid
http://www.simplysaidreadingaccessoies.blogspot.com/
Email: odebdeb@aol.com


Brought to you by Ella Curry, president of EDC Creations
http://www.edc-creations.com/