In today's fast-paced digital world, finding something that brings consistent joy is rare. But for Bill Williams, making people laugh has been a 30-year labor of love that's finally getting the recognition it deserves. What started as a simple workplace communication strategy has evolved into a global community and now, a critically acclaimed book series.
I recently sat down with Bill for an in-depth conversation about his remarkable journey from government contractor to humor curator. His story is a powerful reminder of how small, consistent efforts can create unexpected opportunities and bring joy to countless lives.
Here are the fascinating highlights from our conversation:
• An accidental audience: Bill's daily humor emails began simply as a way to get his financial advisers to check their inboxes. When clients asked to be added to the list, a movement was born – one that now reaches readers across multiple continents.
• From Washington insider to laughter merchant: Before becoming known for humor, Bill worked with the White House and was the first director of news and information for FEMA. His upcoming book "Tales from the Swamp" will share humorous stories from his 20 years as a government contractor.
• The power of persistence: For 30 years, Bill has sent daily humorous emails without monetization – purely for the joy of reader responses. As he puts it, "I never made a dime off of it yet. Although I'm hoping that would be a very nice thing to have in the not too distant future. But hey, if I never made a dime, I would have considered the time well spent because it was fun."
• Literary recognition: After three decades of writing, Bill's first book "20 Years of Internet Humor" recently received a coveted five-star review from Reader's Favorite – a rare achievement that validates his unique approach to curating and sharing humor.
• A legacy of laughter: When asked about the legacy he hopes to leave, Bill's answer was simple but profound: "If my legacy was that he made people laugh, I couldn't think of anything any better."
One quote that perfectly captures Bill's philosophy: "Nobody can laugh too much. I send [the emails] out at 10 o'clock Eastern time the night before so that when you wake up in the morning, if you turn your computer on or your cell phone, you can get a joke to start the day with a smile. And I can't think of a better way to start your day than to be happy."
Want to start your day with a smile? Visit https://www.internet-humor.com/ to subscribe to Bill's free daily humor emails and learn more about his book series. The first volume, "20 Years of Internet Humor," is available now, with the second installment expected this fall.
Watch the video here on YouTube:
P.S. Bill mentioned he has about 800 contributions he hasn't even used yet! With plans for specialized volumes on topics like aging, kids, and more, there's plenty of laughter on the horizon. Don't miss your chance to be part of this growing community of humor enthusiasts.
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