Clean Contest Winner Helen Anderson - Conquering Perfectionism, How to Write Clean Jokes, + MORE

This episode of Hot Breath! features the winner of the February 2025 Clean Comedy Contest, Helen Anderson. Helen shares her experience crafting a brand-new 60-second comedy set, battling perfectionism, and embracing self-promotion. We dive into the writing process, the power of deadlines, and how clean comedy can open doors to more opportunities. Helen also talks about performing for 3,000 people at a corporate Christmas party and the lessons she has learned on her comedy journey.

Join this month's contest here: https://buy.stripe.com/aEU7tv9v08GHbfO28a

Follow Helen on social media here: https://www.instagram.com/helenandersoncomedy/

If you’re a comedian looking to sharpen your writing skills, gain confidence in your material, and take advantage of clean comedy gigs, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Deadlines – Helen submitted her set just two minutes before the deadline, proving that pushing past perfectionism can lead to success.
• Writing Process – She used Scott Dikkers’ "Funny Filters" to refine her material and workshop it with other comics.
• Community Matters – Engaging in comedy groups and contests provides valuable feedback and motivation.
• The Value of Clean Comedy – Helen’s clean material helped her land a gig in front of 3,000 people, showing that “clean is green” in the comedy world.
• Self-Promotion is Key – Helen overcame her hesitation and actively promoted her contest entry—something all comics should embrace.
• Consistency Wins – Building a comedy career takes persistence, and setting small, regular writing goals can help comics stay on track.