Posts Tagged public speaking
Public Speaking: 8 Simple Tips To Put Humor Into Your Speech
Posted by admin in Internet Humor on October 6, 2010
A speech can be interesting, informative and highly entertaining without being humorous. Most speakers are invited because they are well informed on a specific subject and it is of interest to the audience, the listeners do not necessarily expect to be entertained. For entertainment they would hire an entertainer.
However, humor has a number of great benefits in helping the speaker to be more effective in achieving the overall purpose of their speech. The advantages of using humor in your speech are:
-You’ll quickly gain control of the audience – it gains their attention and helps in pulling them together
- It can be used to transition from one part of the speech to the next
- Helps to illustrate the points that you are making
- It will give the audience a “breather” by breaking up your speech. It is difficult for listeners to concentrate for long periods and it gives them a rest and keeps them interested.
- The use of humor can show that you do not take yourself too seriously and will increase your “likeability” quotient
- When presenting new ideas and policies that may not be popular, you can use humor to put your point across without creating hostility.
Humor can be learned and utilized by anyone willing to try. Most of the best speakers use it. To develop the art of humor will take you only a few minutes a day. To put humor in your speech apply the following:
- Develop a stockpile of stories – be on the lookout for good brief stories in newspapers, magazines and the internet. Be a careful observer of life. Also be a “watchful “listener of stories on TV or other speakers. Note the stories down. Do not rely on your memory * Observe other speakers. Note how they tell the story, the tone of their voice, their gestures, face expressions, the timing and pauses.
- Memorize the stories. You cannot read humor – you need to be looking at you audience to sell it. Also you do not want to lose your opportunity by stumbling over the punchline. * Be prepared to deliver “impromptu” stories. Carry an index card in your pocket with the first line or a suggestive line of several stories. By quickly glancing at the card you will be able to quickly recall the story.
- Practice. A story gets better the more times it is told. Practice in front of the mirror or your family. Try different things – your voice tone, pauses, gestures, facial expressions etc.
- If the audience does not laugh at your story or joke move on. Don’t let it throw you off course. There will be time to assess after the speech.
- Make the stories relevant to your speech and appropriate to the audience
- Plan the “spice” in your speech. Most TV and radio performers follow their scripts so closely there is not even room for an “ad lib” sneeze.
Humor is an important tool in gaining and keeping an audience’s attention and can be applied by anyone with the desire to develop the art. In summary, memorize and practice, tell the right story at the right time, be prepared, and gather a fund of stories.
How to Fit the Right Humor to the Right Audience
Posted by admin in Military Humor on August 23, 2010
A joke has two parts: a set-up (premise) and a punch-line (pay-off).
In comedy club humor you can push the envelope with subject material, your language, etc.
People are drunk, looser, and give you the benefit of the doubt.
Of course, there’s a different mindset when you are in a corporate environment — presenting a comedy show or speaking to the rank and file staff. People are uptight… they’re in work mode… and no company president wants to get sued by his employee for a rude racist remark made by a comedian or speaker during work hours. (See Michael Richards)
I think you know we live in a politically correct society…yes, albeit, a little anal retentive one.
Okay, a lot! But there are rules. Whether you’re speaking to people that have bought your book or you’re training employees at Westinghouse… you MUST (or should) know the psychological make-up or demographics of your listeners.
Here’s an example. It’s a political joke. Now I don’t know if you’re Republican or Democrat…but understand that Humorists are equal opportunity offenders. We ‘knock’ and find fault with all of society. I am trying to be very bi-partisan here.
‘When it comes to America’s politics – dealing with the Democrats and Republicans, don’t you feel that with all their mud slinging and ‘broken promises’ that you’re at the point where you’re just trying to figure out which one is ‘Evil’ or ‘Less Evil’?
Now THAT was a moderate joke (or an attempt at one). With that joke, I am empowering my audience to make a decision. Because I know, in an election year, that’s what is on everyone’s mind, and what they’re trying to figure out!
Here’s a Bush joke I wrote a while back during his re-election.
‘Folks our country is divided. Some Americans think Bush is the worst President this country’s ever had…and others think he’s the best President this country’s ever had. Are you kidding? He’s not even the best President in his own family.’
Now if you’re a Bush fan – PLEASE – keep an open mind about this joke. If you’re left winger – you will undoubtedly laugh at it. (A friend who wrote for Letterman wanted to buy it from me.)
If you’re a right winger you probably won’t like it — but you still might appreciate the ‘truthfulness’ of the joke.
When I performed at a black tie Republican right wing military college… you just KNOW I didn’t do that joke (or any Bush jokes). They might’ve rushed the stage and burned me at the stake–or ask me for a party donation!
BUT I might use that particular joke in Florida where there’s lots of seniors who are not huge fans of ‘W.’ My point is…know the wants, needs, and desires of your audience. Know the boundaries that you can leap over or should avoid like a drunk uncle at a wedding.
Make the time to have a discussion with the person who hired you – so you have no concerns, aggravation, or regrets later on about certain ’subject material.’
Remember: part of your job as a speaker is to make the event planner who contracted you look like a genius for using you. (You do want to get paid, don’t you?)
When in doubt – leave it out! (Especially when it comes to religion or politics (priests…pedophiles…politicians that are pedophiles…you get the idea.)
Remember: when you’re speaking, use humor to attract -NOT distract from your message…If you insist on being controversial then go for it and have plenty of ammunition to back it up.
Here’s another joke that crosses all boundaries that I use when I have a mixed audience or an audience of boomers. (It’s fail safe.)
‘You know folks…I know I am getting older. I remember when Michael Jackson was black.’
This gets a huge response because the audience is – yes — thinking the exact same thing! And Sir Michael is a controversial celebrity at best.
Remember: Victor Borge once said, (and he said this when he was alive) ‘Humor is the closest point between two people.’
Use it wisely, Grasshopper!
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