The document discusses how the rules and techniques of improvisational comedy and theater can be applied to blogging. It outlines several rules of improv including saying "yes", being specific, focusing on what is special about the current day, and using callbacks to previous posts. The presentation provides a brief history of key figures in improv and recommends applying improv concepts like agreeing, adding details, finding unique angles, and linking to past content to make blogs more engaging. It also lists local improv groups, classes, and resources for learning more about improvisational performance.

1. #ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 1

2. #ImprovYourBlog
@alanbush
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 2

3. Alan Bush
• Nerd
• Dad and Husband
• Long-Time Improvisor
• Content Creator
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 3

4. Technical Q&A
Documentation
Rackspace Blog
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 4

5. Rackspace
Office Hours Podcast
ohpodcast.com
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6. #ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 6

7. Beer reviews
saflavor.com
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8. ComedySportz
San Antonio
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9. Improv Your Blog
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 9

10. The Rules of Improv have
shaped the way I
approach content
creation.
— me, figuring out the thesis of this presentation
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 10

11. The hardest thing about
writing is writing.
— Nora Ephron
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12. No.#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 12

13. Yes#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 13

14. How is Improv like Writing?
• Spontaneous
• Ephemeral
• Made up
• Collaborative
• A process
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15. Yes
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16. #ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 16

17. #ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 17

18. Fall, and then figure out
what to do on the way
down.
— Del Close
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 18

19. A ridiculously short1
history of improv
1
I'm only exploring improv in the western world, and I've completely left off Keith Johnstone, Jill Bernard, The Groundlings,
UCB, or Trish Berrong - among others - but I'm up against a time limit here.
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20. Viola Spolin
(1906-1994)
• Theatre games for children
• "Everyone can act. Everyone can
improvise.”
• Improvisation for the Theater
• Mother of Paul Sills
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21. Paul Sills
(1927-2008)
• Compass Players (With David
Shepherd)
• Launched an entire generation of
comedic actors
• Co-Founded Second City
• Story Theater
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 21

22. Del Close
(1934-1999)
• Performer and Director
• Second City
• ImprovOlympic
• Truth in Comedy
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23. Charna Halpern
(1952- )
• Truth in Comedy
• ImprovOlympic
• The Harold
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24. Yes,
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25. Improv Rule 1A: Say "Yes"
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26. Improv Rule 1B: Add Something
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27. Now you're improvising
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28. The End
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29. More Rules Tips
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30. Be specific
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31. What's special about today?
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32. If this is true, what else is true?
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33. Callbacks
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34. Follow The Rules:
Agreement
• Say "Yes" to writing
• There are no wrong ideas
• Build on your ideas: "Yes, &"
• Have Fun
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35. Follow The Rules:
Specificity
• More detail, more insight
• Readers appreciate detail
• Summary is for Twitter
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36. Follow The Rules:
What's special
about today?
• What else is happening in the
world?
• How does that affect your content?
• Follow the unique angle
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37. Follow The Rules:
"If this is true, what
else is true?"
• Find your angle
• Spin off additional posts
• Increase the amount of content you
create
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38. Follow The Rules:
Callbacks
• Reference your own work
• Link to your past posts
• Reward your long-time followers
• Link to other people's work
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39. The Rules of Improv
• Yes, &
• Be Specific
• What'Special About Today?
• If This Is True, What else?
• Callbacks
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40. Books about Improv
• Improvisation for the Theater - Viola Spolin
• Impro: Improvisation and the Theatre - Keith Johnstone
• Truth in Comedy - Del Close & Charna Halpern
• Improvise:Scene from the Inside Out - Mick Napier
• Jill Bernard's Small Cute Book of Improv - Jill Bernard
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41. Local Shows
• ComedySportz
• Alamo City Improv
• The Denials
• Missed Opportunity (All Female Cast)
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42. Improv Classes
• ComedySportz
• Alamo City Improv
• The Denials
• Missed Opportunity
#ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 42

43. Questions
• What did you learn?
• What can I clear up?
• How do you plan on applying it?
• Find me afterward and chat
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44. #ImprovYourBlog | #WCSATX | @alanbush 44

45. Slides, Resource Guide, and Photo Credits available at
albush.com/iyb
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46. Photo Credits
• Slide 11: flickr photo by Drew Coffman https://flickr.com/
photos/drewcoffman/4815205632 shared under a Creative
Commons (BY) license
• Slide 18: flickr photo by trickmonet https://flickr.com/
photos/trickmonet/3401178634 shared under a Creative
Commons (BY) license
• Slide 20: Photo from Viola Spolin official website: http://
www.violaspolin.org/bio/
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47. Photo Credits
• Slide 21: Photo from spolin.org: http://spolin.com/?
page_id=547
• Slide 22: Photo from Chicago Reader: http://
www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/as-del-lay-dying/Content?
oid=1109931
• Slide 23: Photo from iO: http://ioimprov.com/chicago/
classes/instructors/
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