Ric Michael is our resident comedy confidante. Uncle Ric's on hand to dish out help and advice accrued through years working in the entertainment business, and his current role as Head of Development at Baby Cow Manchester.

If you have a question for Ric to get his teeth into, email us at the usual address. But please, comedy questions only, not even Ric can fix your marriage or help you sell your house. Read on for his first set of advice...

Production companies have to work as commercial businesses too, which means sometimes it's just not feasible to write a response to everyone's work. There are lots of courses, schemes, local arts councils and writers' groups around the country, which are great for advice and feedback.

Most major broadcasters run writing schemes as well. Also, look for opportunities with local filmmakers and actors and try and do a rough version of your sketch on DVD. Don't worry about the production values at this stage; it's just a great way of sending us your idea. And don't forget to debut your sketches in the 4Laughs test bed forum, where 4Laughs users are always on hand with constructive feedback.

Don't be too prescriptive with your comedy. Send us your best 10 page extract rather than the whole series. On average, Baby Cow receive 10-15 unsolicited scripts a week, from film to sitcom ideas.

After a hard week's work if I have a pile of 10 scripts, 5 which are 150 pages long, and 5 which are 10 pages long, you know which pile I'm going to go for first. Think of it as dating, you don't want to put out on your first date. Open your blouse but don't show us your knickers straight away.

We want you to keep your vision, but you also need to think about how your idea will fit in with the production company you are pitching to, and you must be open to debate. The company is run by artists, so we do have respect for your work.

On a practical note, put writing in a clear font and make sure it is spelt and punctuated as it should be. Make an effort, look at the website before you send your work, and get names right. Also, emailing your idea means it won't get lost and can be forwarded easily to other people.

It is good to be represented by a production company because broadcasters largely go with production companies they have already built trust with. If you look hard enough on broadcasters' websites you'll tend to see what production companies they regularly make programmes with. From here you should contact those companies, but remember, it's only useful if you contact the companies that share your ethos.

If you are writing for TV - look where it would fit into the schedule. Take a copy of the Radio Times and pick out all the comedy. You and hundreds of others are fighting for these slots, so work out where your idea fits. For example, what would work on Channel 4 at 10 o clock is very different to what work on BBC 3 at 7.

Q: Where do I take my radio sitcom about a working class thirty something who is left the services of a well-spoken butler in his rich uncle's will (with hilarious consequences, obviously)? I've written the first episode. Do I:

A. Send it to the BBC / other broadcasters as is?
B. Pay to get professional feedback?
C. Send it to a production company / agent rather than direct to a broadcaster (any suggestions)?
D. All of or a mixture of the above?
E. Forget this ridiculous comedy thing and take up Ultimate Fighting instead?

I've spent a long time tweaking etc and feel it's time for the next stage (of the script process, not my Ultimate Fighting career), so any advice would be appreciated.

A: If you're looking for professional feedback you can send your work to The Writers' Room. I recommend this highly as they provide a fantastic service and will give a very honest assessment of your work. They also guarantee to look at your work and respond to you in a set period of time.

As well as The Writers' Room, there's an independent site called Great Writing which offers writing tips and constructive criticism. And try Channel 4's IdeasFactory for career advice and details of arts initiatives.

Also look at the websites of the Radio stations where you think your comedy would fit. E.g. Radio 2, 4 or 7, and look at their current programming schedules. If you've written something similar to a show they already have on air, perhaps wait a while before pitching it to them. Similarly, if they are particularly looking for a type of comedy, tweak your own or talk up a particular aspect of it. While you're looking at Radio websites, also have a hunt around for the companies who are making the comedies you are interested in and try sending your work to them too.

Q: I have been writing comedy for a while now and was wondering who and where is it best to send sketches? I have written loads and after recently working for the prop department on shows like That Mitchell and Webb Look and Man Stroke Woman, my passion to write comedy has grown more and more. I recently read the advice about writing and submitting material but just wondered do I do the same with sketches as you would with a sitcom, film or story?

A: Send in the sketches in the same way you would send scripts but bundle together a few and preferably give one or two themes to show you can write to order. Have a look at who is making sketch shows and if you have been working on specific programmes, get out the call sheet and send them to the producer/ director/ executive producer/ production manager and so on - it's a great way to get in.

Q: I have written a film script and am looking around for somebody to film it and give me large sums of money and a slice of the box office action. My question is: how do you get somebody who'll read this sort of stuff? Short of going to Cannes and getting thrown out of these ludicrously affected hotels, how do you do it? Is there a professional compendium where you can find postal addresses/listings for major agents/fixers/directors?

Ric: Have you tried going through your local film/tv agency? For example, in the North West, it's North West Vision (northwestvision.co.uk) - find the agency local to you and get in touch.

The UK Film Council will give you information on various different funding for feature films, as well as practical advice and will help you get hold of a compendium.

There are always companies (such as Baby Cow) that make films and are always interested in scripts.

Go on the internet and do some research.

Go to Cannes and find out what a cut-throat market really looks like, but at least get a tan.