Some humor 'experts' say that you should not laugh at your own jokes and stories when you are speaking in public. This may work for some, but it is definitely not my style. When I'm in front of an audience, I'm having a great time. I'm there because I love humor and laughter and I love sharing it with the audience. I can't help laughing sometimes. I laugh at what I say. I laugh at what they say. I laugh at unexpected occurrences during the presentation. That's my style. I believe that to fully connect with an audience, you must be accepted as one of them. If I expect them to laugh, then I should laugh too.
Sometimes you can laugh to tell the audience it's time to laugh. Within a matter of minutes your public stage persona will be evident to the audience. As soon as they catch onto your style and rhythm, they will pick up on the cues you give them. When you laugh, they know it is time for them to laugh. It's almost like holding up an applause sign. Some presenters use facial expressions or gestures or a combination of many cues that tell the audience it's OK to laugh.
The opposite of a laughter cue is a deadpan expression. This is a serious expression that is contrasted with funny lines. The contrast evokes a larger laugh than the line could get by itself. I use this to set the audience up for some fun questions. I look completely earnest when I say, I'm the foremost expert in the world [pause] on dumb questions. It always gets a good laugh.
When speaking in public go ahead and laugh when you feel like it. Both you and your audience will enjoy the speech more.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
Public Speaking: Humor Placement
You are probably wondering how you decide where to put the humor you have so carefully selected to use in your presentation. You weren't wondering? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway.
First of all, starting with a funny story or joke is expected and trite. You may want to postpone your story until the audience is resolved that you will be bestowing a rare case of sleeping sickness on them and then you surprise them with the humor. Don't be afraid to do the unexpected. Humor is one of the attention getting devices that can take your audience to the peaks of intensity.
To get started in figuring the placement of your humor, first find out or decide how much time you are expected to talk. Divide this time into equal segments. If the percentage of humor is to be low, you might make a humorous comment each six to eight minutes. If the percentage of humor is very high, you might be making a humorous comment every minute. Going through this process tells you roughly how much humor or other attention gaining devices you need to accomplish your goals.
I'm assuming at this point that all the humor you have selected is relevant to your audience and your topic. If it is not, throw it out now and search for something to replace it that is relevant to your program
Next, you should be ready to place the humor in your program. Don't make the mistake of forcing humor and other material to fit. It makes no difference if one segment goes several minutes longer than another or if you don't hit the funny bone exactly every six to eight minutes. Just use that time length as a guideline. All you have to do now is decide if you want humor in your opening and/or closing.
Finally, the third aspect of timing has to do with 'planned spontaneity.' This term seems like an oxymoron, or contradiction in terms, doesn't it? (see Oxymoron
article on this website) When it comes to professional presentations, preparation will be a big factor in your ultimate success.
Prepared remarks that appear spontaneous deserve a mention when talking about timing. During the course of a presentation, windows of opportunity for witty remarks open and close. They are usually related to 'expected/unexpected' happenings during the presentation, or questions from the audience. Let's say you are writing on the flipchart and your marker runs out of ink. Your window of opportunity is now open. You might jump through the window and say, 'I guess I've come to the dry part of my presentation' Window slams shut. Everything is fine. You look like a quick wit and a pretty cool NO ZZZZZs presenter.
What if you waited until you searched out a new marker to say the same line? The window had already slammed shut 30 seconds ago and now you are trying to jump through. You lose. The spontaneity is gone and so is the impact (except for smashing your head into the glass). What do you have to do to be sure you will be ready when a window opens?
Many problems can be anticipated. If you are using a slide projector, the bulb might blow. You may be interrupted by a loud noise. Your microphone might squeal, etc. Prepare comments in advance so you can recall them immediately when needed. If you let too much time pass between the incident and your comment, you're better off foregoing the comment. It's too late to make it funny.
Questions
(see Funny Question and Answer Sessions article on this website) from the audience can be treated the same way. If you've been presenting your material long enough, you can probably anticipate most of the questions that come up. Prepare a witty answer to each question and use it when the question arises. Then go on and give your serious answer. Be careful when using this technique your witty answer doesn't make the person asking the question feel stupid.
First of all, starting with a funny story or joke is expected and trite. You may want to postpone your story until the audience is resolved that you will be bestowing a rare case of sleeping sickness on them and then you surprise them with the humor. Don't be afraid to do the unexpected. Humor is one of the attention getting devices that can take your audience to the peaks of intensity.
To get started in figuring the placement of your humor, first find out or decide how much time you are expected to talk. Divide this time into equal segments. If the percentage of humor is to be low, you might make a humorous comment each six to eight minutes. If the percentage of humor is very high, you might be making a humorous comment every minute. Going through this process tells you roughly how much humor or other attention gaining devices you need to accomplish your goals.
I'm assuming at this point that all the humor you have selected is relevant to your audience and your topic. If it is not, throw it out now and search for something to replace it that is relevant to your program
Next, you should be ready to place the humor in your program. Don't make the mistake of forcing humor and other material to fit. It makes no difference if one segment goes several minutes longer than another or if you don't hit the funny bone exactly every six to eight minutes. Just use that time length as a guideline. All you have to do now is decide if you want humor in your opening and/or closing.
Finally, the third aspect of timing has to do with 'planned spontaneity.' This term seems like an oxymoron, or contradiction in terms, doesn't it? (see Oxymoron
article on this website) When it comes to professional presentations, preparation will be a big factor in your ultimate success.
Prepared remarks that appear spontaneous deserve a mention when talking about timing. During the course of a presentation, windows of opportunity for witty remarks open and close. They are usually related to 'expected/unexpected' happenings during the presentation, or questions from the audience. Let's say you are writing on the flipchart and your marker runs out of ink. Your window of opportunity is now open. You might jump through the window and say, 'I guess I've come to the dry part of my presentation' Window slams shut. Everything is fine. You look like a quick wit and a pretty cool NO ZZZZZs presenter.
What if you waited until you searched out a new marker to say the same line? The window had already slammed shut 30 seconds ago and now you are trying to jump through. You lose. The spontaneity is gone and so is the impact (except for smashing your head into the glass). What do you have to do to be sure you will be ready when a window opens?
Many problems can be anticipated. If you are using a slide projector, the bulb might blow. You may be interrupted by a loud noise. Your microphone might squeal, etc. Prepare comments in advance so you can recall them immediately when needed. If you let too much time pass between the incident and your comment, you're better off foregoing the comment. It's too late to make it funny.
Questions
(see Funny Question and Answer Sessions article on this website) from the audience can be treated the same way. If you've been presenting your material long enough, you can probably anticipate most of the questions that come up. Prepare a witty answer to each question and use it when the question arises. Then go on and give your serious answer. Be careful when using this technique your witty answer doesn't make the person asking the question feel stupid.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Public Speaking : Rule of Three
One of the most pervasive principles in the construction of humorous situations is the Rule of Three. You will see it used over and over because it is simple. It is powerful and it works (see I just used it there in a non-funny situation). Most of the time in humor the Rule of Three is used in the following fashion: The first comment names the topic, the second sets a pattern, and the third unexpectedly switches the pattern which is funny. Here's a few examples from brochures advertising my seminars:
In the 'How to Get There'; section
From Washington, D.C. take Rt. 50 . . .
From Baltimore, MD take Rt. 95 . . .
From Bangkok, Thailand board Asian Air . . .
By Metro take the Red line . . .
By Car take New York Ave. . . .
By Steamship take the Chesapeake Bay
While in front of a group I might point to an audience member and say You can make a difference in your company. [Pointing to the next person] You can make a difference in your department. [Pointing to third fun person] You can [pause] Well not everyone can do this.
The Rule of Three is also used in constructing
bits (see bits article on this website).
Three jokes or one-liners on one topic is enough to create a rise in the audience, but not enough to tire them about that subject. Don't forget that the Rule of Three is good in non-funny situations too. Even honest Abe Lincoln used it twice in the powerful, but short, Gettysburg Address: 'We cannot dedicate. We cannot consecrate. We cannot hallow this ground'; 'and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.'
In the 'How to Get There'; section
From Washington, D.C. take Rt. 50 . . .
From Baltimore, MD take Rt. 95 . . .
From Bangkok, Thailand board Asian Air . . .
By Metro take the Red line . . .
By Car take New York Ave. . . .
By Steamship take the Chesapeake Bay
While in front of a group I might point to an audience member and say You can make a difference in your company. [Pointing to the next person] You can make a difference in your department. [Pointing to third fun person] You can [pause] Well not everyone can do this.
The Rule of Three is also used in constructing
bits (see bits article on this website).
Three jokes or one-liners on one topic is enough to create a rise in the audience, but not enough to tire them about that subject. Don't forget that the Rule of Three is good in non-funny situations too. Even honest Abe Lincoln used it twice in the powerful, but short, Gettysburg Address: 'We cannot dedicate. We cannot consecrate. We cannot hallow this ground'; 'and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.'
Monday, October 23, 2006
Public Speaking : Humor Delivery Tips
(ignore these and you can start passing out pillows and blankets)
Don't signal your punch line. If the humor in your punch line depends upon the words ruptured camel, don't say the following: Did you hear the one about the ruptured camel?
Don't EVER repeat a punch line! Once the surprise is revealed, the joke is history. I'll repeat this, but I don't want to hear you repeating any punch lines. Let me repeat. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. NEVER repeat a punch line. You'll be shot by the humor firing squad if you repeat a punch line. OK. I'll let you repeat one, but only under certain circumstances. Here's the exception. If you had a joke or punch line that bombed miserably, you can call it back later to make fun of yourself.
You must absolutely, positively memorize your punch line. You should be able to awaken out of a deep sleep in an earthquake and, without hesitation, deliver your punch line accurately. Give all the facts necessary for the joke to make sense. The humor is lost if you leave out the necessary details.
NEVER, EVER explain your joke. If they don't understand, it's your fault for telling the wrong joke to the wrong audience. The hypnotist says, 'You're getting sleeeepy.'
Use the fewest words possible to get to the punch line. Brevity is truly the soul of wit (never use a worn out cliché either). The longer the joke, the funnier it must be.
Don't walk around too much when telling a joke or story. I walk, but I stop when important points are being made and when I'm delivering a punch line.
If you use notes, highlight or mark upcoming jokes or stories so they don't sneak up on you. They will need special emphasis.
Practice! Practice! Practice! I tell a joke or story 30 to 50 times in practice before I use it in a presentation.
Don't signal your punch line. If the humor in your punch line depends upon the words ruptured camel, don't say the following: Did you hear the one about the ruptured camel?
Don't EVER repeat a punch line! Once the surprise is revealed, the joke is history. I'll repeat this, but I don't want to hear you repeating any punch lines. Let me repeat. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. Don't EVER repeat a punch line. NEVER repeat a punch line. You'll be shot by the humor firing squad if you repeat a punch line. OK. I'll let you repeat one, but only under certain circumstances. Here's the exception. If you had a joke or punch line that bombed miserably, you can call it back later to make fun of yourself.
You must absolutely, positively memorize your punch line. You should be able to awaken out of a deep sleep in an earthquake and, without hesitation, deliver your punch line accurately. Give all the facts necessary for the joke to make sense. The humor is lost if you leave out the necessary details.
NEVER, EVER explain your joke. If they don't understand, it's your fault for telling the wrong joke to the wrong audience. The hypnotist says, 'You're getting sleeeepy.'
Use the fewest words possible to get to the punch line. Brevity is truly the soul of wit (never use a worn out cliché either). The longer the joke, the funnier it must be.
Don't walk around too much when telling a joke or story. I walk, but I stop when important points are being made and when I'm delivering a punch line.
If you use notes, highlight or mark upcoming jokes or stories so they don't sneak up on you. They will need special emphasis.
Practice! Practice! Practice! I tell a joke or story 30 to 50 times in practice before I use it in a presentation.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Public Speaking : How to Deliver a Punch Line
The punch line gets its name from the delivery technique used. You must punch the line out a little harder and with a slightly different voice than the rest of the joke. Lean into the microphone and say it louder and more clearly than you said the setup lines. If the audience does not hear the punch line, they are not going to laugh. Just before the punch line you should pause slightly(see Timing article on this website)to emphasize and draw special attention to the line.
After you deliver the line, don't utter another sound. Give the audience a chance to laugh. Words or phrases appended to the climax tend to delay or impede laughter. Until you get some experience, it is really tough to wait. Beginners tend to be afraid that no laughter will come, so they keep going. If you keep talking during this period, you will easily squelch the laughter. As your confidence builds, pausing will become easier and easier. Sometimes waiting the audience out will actually give them a cue to laugh even if the joke wasn't that great.
Deliver the line to one person
When you deliver your punch line, deliver it to one person and one person only. It doesn't matter how large the crowd is, you can look one person right in the eye and deliver your line.
The person to whom you deliver the punch line is NOT randomly chosen. I deliver punch lines to a person I know is going to laugh. How do I know? I pay attention. That's how I know. It all starts with my pre-program research. If I have spoken to any of the audience members and they were laughing with me on the phone, I'll seek them out before the program so I know where they are sitting. That way I can look directly at them during the program. Before the program starts, I mingle with the participants, not only to meet them, but to see who is and who is not in fun (mingling with them helps to put themin fun (see the "in fun" article on this website).
In addition, I watch the audience when the emcee or program coordinator is talking. This gives me a mental note of the people who are not only having fun, but also paying close attention to the person speaking.
Watch out for alcohol
Don't be fooled by an audience who appears to be having great fun. It could very likely have been induced by alcohol at their social hour. They may be oblivious to what's happening on-stage.
Head nods
After you have begun your presentation, another way to tell who to deliver to is by closely watching the audience. Some audience members who are really in tune with what you are saying will nod their head gently in approval. You should have great success delivering to these people.
Why deliver to the laughers?
There are two reasons for delivering your punch line to someone you know will laugh. The most important is that you want that person to be a good example for the rest of the audience. If you direct a punch line or comment to a person in the audience, the other members of the audience will naturally look in that direction. If they see someone laughing, there is a high probability they will laugh too. If you deliver your line to some sourpuss that hasn't laughed for 20 years, the rest of the audience will see an example of someone NOT laughing and they will be negatively influenced.
A 1976 study by Antony Chapman and D. S. Wright supports the notion that the lack of laughter or inappropriate laughter (the kind of laughter you would get if you pick on someone or some group inappropriately and they laugh to save face) are inhibitors of laughter.
The second reason for delivering your punch line to someone you know will laugh has to do with confidence. There is little chance that you will get old sourpuss to laugh no matter what you do. If you kill yourself trying and fail, as you probably will, it will knock your confidence level and affect the rest of your performance. Combine this with the fact that you will be ignoring the rest of the audience, who will be watching this person not laugh, and you'll be quickly swinging in the wind. Deliver to the ones that appreciate you!
After you deliver the line, don't utter another sound. Give the audience a chance to laugh. Words or phrases appended to the climax tend to delay or impede laughter. Until you get some experience, it is really tough to wait. Beginners tend to be afraid that no laughter will come, so they keep going. If you keep talking during this period, you will easily squelch the laughter. As your confidence builds, pausing will become easier and easier. Sometimes waiting the audience out will actually give them a cue to laugh even if the joke wasn't that great.
Deliver the line to one person
When you deliver your punch line, deliver it to one person and one person only. It doesn't matter how large the crowd is, you can look one person right in the eye and deliver your line.
The person to whom you deliver the punch line is NOT randomly chosen. I deliver punch lines to a person I know is going to laugh. How do I know? I pay attention. That's how I know. It all starts with my pre-program research. If I have spoken to any of the audience members and they were laughing with me on the phone, I'll seek them out before the program so I know where they are sitting. That way I can look directly at them during the program. Before the program starts, I mingle with the participants, not only to meet them, but to see who is and who is not in fun (mingling with them helps to put themin fun (see the "in fun" article on this website).
In addition, I watch the audience when the emcee or program coordinator is talking. This gives me a mental note of the people who are not only having fun, but also paying close attention to the person speaking.
Watch out for alcohol
Don't be fooled by an audience who appears to be having great fun. It could very likely have been induced by alcohol at their social hour. They may be oblivious to what's happening on-stage.
Head nods
After you have begun your presentation, another way to tell who to deliver to is by closely watching the audience. Some audience members who are really in tune with what you are saying will nod their head gently in approval. You should have great success delivering to these people.
Why deliver to the laughers?
There are two reasons for delivering your punch line to someone you know will laugh. The most important is that you want that person to be a good example for the rest of the audience. If you direct a punch line or comment to a person in the audience, the other members of the audience will naturally look in that direction. If they see someone laughing, there is a high probability they will laugh too. If you deliver your line to some sourpuss that hasn't laughed for 20 years, the rest of the audience will see an example of someone NOT laughing and they will be negatively influenced.
A 1976 study by Antony Chapman and D. S. Wright supports the notion that the lack of laughter or inappropriate laughter (the kind of laughter you would get if you pick on someone or some group inappropriately and they laugh to save face) are inhibitors of laughter.
The second reason for delivering your punch line to someone you know will laugh has to do with confidence. There is little chance that you will get old sourpuss to laugh no matter what you do. If you kill yourself trying and fail, as you probably will, it will knock your confidence level and affect the rest of your performance. Combine this with the fact that you will be ignoring the rest of the audience, who will be watching this person not laugh, and you'll be quickly swinging in the wind. Deliver to the ones that appreciate you!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Public Speaking : How to Make a Point with Humor
One of the old saws of public speaking says that you should 'Tell em what you're gonna tell 'em. Tell 'em. Then tell 'em what you told 'em.' When you want to make a point during your presentation, you can use a similar formula. You tell 'em the point, illustrate the point, then tell 'em the point again. This formula, however, can seem boring and redundant if you don't spice it up a little. One way to do it is to use humor. Here's the formula:
1. Make your point.
2. Illustrate your point (in our example below we're using a humorous two-liner, but you could use props, humorous props, funny stories, serious stories, case studies, etc.)
3. Restate your point.
Here's an example where your point is 'The Importance of Communication.'
1. First make your point by saying, Accurate and clear communication is an important part of our everyday lives.
2. Then illustrate your point. In this case use a humorous two-liner. It's like the student pilot who was asked over the radio to state his altitude and location. He said, 'I'm five feet nine and I'm in the left seat.'
3. Then restate your point in a slightly different manner by saying, You can see how what we may think is clear communication could be interpreted incorrectly especially when people are under pressure.
When you use humor in a public setting . . . especially when you are speaking to a business audience, or any audience who is not specifically there for humor, make the humor reinforce your point and you will get a much better response.
1. Make your point.
2. Illustrate your point (in our example below we're using a humorous two-liner, but you could use props, humorous props, funny stories, serious stories, case studies, etc.)
3. Restate your point.
Here's an example where your point is 'The Importance of Communication.'
1. First make your point by saying, Accurate and clear communication is an important part of our everyday lives.
2. Then illustrate your point. In this case use a humorous two-liner. It's like the student pilot who was asked over the radio to state his altitude and location. He said, 'I'm five feet nine and I'm in the left seat.'
3. Then restate your point in a slightly different manner by saying, You can see how what we may think is clear communication could be interpreted incorrectly especially when people are under pressure.
When you use humor in a public setting . . . especially when you are speaking to a business audience, or any audience who is not specifically there for humor, make the humor reinforce your point and you will get a much better response.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Public Speaking : Get Them In Fun
Sigmund Freud wrote:
"The most favorable condition for comic pleasure is a generally happy disposition in which one is in the mood for laughter. In happy toxic states almost everything seems comic. We laugh at the expectation of laughing, at the appearance of one who is presenting the comic material (sometimes even before he [she] attempts to make us laugh), and finally, we laugh at the recollection of having laughed."
This concept has been termed 'in fun' by people that study public speaking humor. If you want your audience to laugh, they must be in fun. You, the speaker, must be in fun. The emcee or program coordinator must be in fun. The whole program should be designed in fun.
Don't do anything to take them out of in fun. Don't speak about controversial subjects like religion or politics and don't make unfriendly comments to audience members. If a problem occurs which must be dealt with, find an in fun way of doing so. For instance, if I'm at a speaking engagement and someone asks me who I voted for I say, 'I voted for the USA.' That's a cute way to say that I really don't want to talk about it.
Retired National Speakers Association member and one of the greatest humorists of all time Dr. Charles Jarvis, told me about a friend of his who was excellent at speaking, but lost his audience when he forced someone to turn off a tape recorder. He was so nasty about the way he said it that the in fun audience totally turned against him.
An in fun audience is more critical for the public speaker who is there to entertain, but the concept should be in the back of every speakers mind. Your material may be controversial by nature, but that doesn't mean that you should go out of your way to do or say things that will take the audience further out of in fun.
Also, pay close attention to the total program. One friend of mine had to present comical material just after a passionate plea went out to the audience to collect funds for starving babies. He came on stage just after the teary-eyed audience had seen slides of emaciated children. If you ever get caught in this situation, DON'T start right in with your humorous material. Start out gently with a sincere reference to what the audience has just seen. Cut most of your early speaking humor and get to your subject to ease the audience's transition to your more lighthearted topic.
How do you put in fun into practice? One time I had a ventriloquist introduce me at an early morning meeting to wake up everyone and get them in fun. You could pass out fun snacks to the audience or put balloons on their chairs. Public announcements and agendas can be decorated with cartoon characters. Funny props are great for putting people in fun. Do anything you can to be sure your audience knows that it's OK to laugh.
"The most favorable condition for comic pleasure is a generally happy disposition in which one is in the mood for laughter. In happy toxic states almost everything seems comic. We laugh at the expectation of laughing, at the appearance of one who is presenting the comic material (sometimes even before he [she] attempts to make us laugh), and finally, we laugh at the recollection of having laughed."
This concept has been termed 'in fun' by people that study public speaking humor. If you want your audience to laugh, they must be in fun. You, the speaker, must be in fun. The emcee or program coordinator must be in fun. The whole program should be designed in fun.
Don't do anything to take them out of in fun. Don't speak about controversial subjects like religion or politics and don't make unfriendly comments to audience members. If a problem occurs which must be dealt with, find an in fun way of doing so. For instance, if I'm at a speaking engagement and someone asks me who I voted for I say, 'I voted for the USA.' That's a cute way to say that I really don't want to talk about it.
Retired National Speakers Association member and one of the greatest humorists of all time Dr. Charles Jarvis, told me about a friend of his who was excellent at speaking, but lost his audience when he forced someone to turn off a tape recorder. He was so nasty about the way he said it that the in fun audience totally turned against him.
An in fun audience is more critical for the public speaker who is there to entertain, but the concept should be in the back of every speakers mind. Your material may be controversial by nature, but that doesn't mean that you should go out of your way to do or say things that will take the audience further out of in fun.
Also, pay close attention to the total program. One friend of mine had to present comical material just after a passionate plea went out to the audience to collect funds for starving babies. He came on stage just after the teary-eyed audience had seen slides of emaciated children. If you ever get caught in this situation, DON'T start right in with your humorous material. Start out gently with a sincere reference to what the audience has just seen. Cut most of your early speaking humor and get to your subject to ease the audience's transition to your more lighthearted topic.
How do you put in fun into practice? One time I had a ventriloquist introduce me at an early morning meeting to wake up everyone and get them in fun. You could pass out fun snacks to the audience or put balloons on their chairs. Public announcements and agendas can be decorated with cartoon characters. Funny props are great for putting people in fun. Do anything you can to be sure your audience knows that it's OK to laugh.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Public Speaking: Why use Humor?
Why should I bother using humor in my public speaking? Can't I just deliver my information and sit down? You sure can and that's what most people do. The problem is that most people are not effective public speakers. They are nighty nite, snooze inducing, say your prayers, hit the sack, unlicensed hypnotists. They are ZZZZZs presenters. They might be experts in their field and be able to recite hours and hours of information on their topic, but is that effective?
According to Bob Orben, Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford and Former Director of the White House Speech writing Department, 'Business executives and political leaders have embraced humor because humor works. Humor has gone from being an admirable part of a leader's character to a mandatory one.'
A survey of top executives who earned more than $250,000 per year was conducted by a large executive search firm. The survey found that these executives believed their communication skills were the number one factor that carried them to the top. Mastering the use of humor and other high-explosion techniques puts a fine polish on your public speaking skills which can help propel you to the top of the speaking profession.
There are many benefits you can derive from using humor when speaking. Keep in mind that these benefits only help you reach your ultimate purpose for making the presentation. They are not purposes themselves unless, of course, you are only interested in entertaining.
Using Humor in Public Speaking helps you do the following:
HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE.
MAKES YOU MORE LIKEABLE.
AROUSES INTEREST.
KEEPS ATTENTION.
HELPS EMPHASIZE POINTS AND IDEAS.
DISARMS HOSTILITY.
OVERCOMES OVERLY FLATTERING INTRODUCTIONS.
GETS YOUR POINT ACROSS WITHOUT CREATING HOSTILITY.
HELPS RELATE FACTS AND FIGURES.
MAKES A POSITIVE IMPRESSION.
SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.
HELPS PAINT PICTURES IN THE AUDIENCE'S MIND.
MAKES INFORMATION MORE MEMORABLE.
LIGHTENS UP HEAVY MATERIAL.
YOU WILL BE ASKED BACK.
YOUR SPEAKING WILL GET YOU HIGHER EVALUATIONS OR MORE SALES.
YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.
YOU WILL MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.
This is my favorite benefit. I get great satisfaction from knowing that I have brightened someone else's life. I had an executive come up to me after one of my humor seminars and say, 'You opened up a whole new world for me.' I almost cried right on the spot. I'll never forget it.
According to Bob Orben, Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford and Former Director of the White House Speech writing Department, 'Business executives and political leaders have embraced humor because humor works. Humor has gone from being an admirable part of a leader's character to a mandatory one.'
A survey of top executives who earned more than $250,000 per year was conducted by a large executive search firm. The survey found that these executives believed their communication skills were the number one factor that carried them to the top. Mastering the use of humor and other high-explosion techniques puts a fine polish on your public speaking skills which can help propel you to the top of the speaking profession.
There are many benefits you can derive from using humor when speaking. Keep in mind that these benefits only help you reach your ultimate purpose for making the presentation. They are not purposes themselves unless, of course, you are only interested in entertaining.
Using Humor in Public Speaking helps you do the following:
HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE.
MAKES YOU MORE LIKEABLE.
AROUSES INTEREST.
KEEPS ATTENTION.
HELPS EMPHASIZE POINTS AND IDEAS.
DISARMS HOSTILITY.
OVERCOMES OVERLY FLATTERING INTRODUCTIONS.
GETS YOUR POINT ACROSS WITHOUT CREATING HOSTILITY.
HELPS RELATE FACTS AND FIGURES.
MAKES A POSITIVE IMPRESSION.
SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.
HELPS PAINT PICTURES IN THE AUDIENCE'S MIND.
MAKES INFORMATION MORE MEMORABLE.
LIGHTENS UP HEAVY MATERIAL.
YOU WILL BE ASKED BACK.
YOUR SPEAKING WILL GET YOU HIGHER EVALUATIONS OR MORE SALES.
YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.
YOU WILL MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.
This is my favorite benefit. I get great satisfaction from knowing that I have brightened someone else's life. I had an executive come up to me after one of my humor seminars and say, 'You opened up a whole new world for me.' I almost cried right on the spot. I'll never forget it.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Public Speaking: Heirloom Handouts
If you want your public speaking handout material to be kept forever, you must give each audience member a reason to keep it. I do this by strategically adding important reference material to EACH PAGE of the speaking handout. This material was picked specifically for that day's audience.
The reference items could be important phone numbers, web site addresses, book titles, or even humor that applies to the audience*s industry. The reason the information isn't put on one page at the back of the handout is because that page could be torn off and the rest of the handout thrown away. Don't forget to put your contact information on every page of the handout too.
The reference items could be important phone numbers, web site addresses, book titles, or even humor that applies to the audience*s industry. The reason the information isn't put on one page at the back of the handout is because that page could be torn off and the rest of the handout thrown away. Don't forget to put your contact information on every page of the handout too.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Public Speaking : Now I Lay Me Down . . . To Talk
If you want to create some extra impact when public speaking, don't be afraid to present in some odd postures. My friend Ron Culbertson starts his talk while standing on a table. Another friend of mine Barbara Sanfilippo climbs a ladder while on stage. Zig Zigler kneels. I do a signature story while sitting on a chair and I have sprawled myself across a table to make a point. I have seen speakers doing handstands, backflips, riding a bicycle and standing on their head. Of course, I wouldn't do the whole talk standing on my head, but who knows. . . I might look better that way. hahahaha
Friday, October 06, 2006
Public Speaking : Say it with Flowers
A public speaking friend of mine had a deal with a local flower shop. When he had a program he would buy up all the fresh flowers that the flower shop could not sell. He got them for a really cheap price. The flowers were destined for the dumpster anyway so the florist was thrilled to get anything for them.
The speaker would arrive to big fanfare throwing flowers into the crowd. Everyone got a flower to take home and depending on the size of the crowd, some would get a whole bouquet. He also sent big bunches as his thank you gift to the meeting organizer. He purposely sent so many that the organizer could not possibly take them all home. His good will (and name) was spread all over the company he was speaking for and the people in the audience had a blast.
The speaker would arrive to big fanfare throwing flowers into the crowd. Everyone got a flower to take home and depending on the size of the crowd, some would get a whole bouquet. He also sent big bunches as his thank you gift to the meeting organizer. He purposely sent so many that the organizer could not possibly take them all home. His good will (and name) was spread all over the company he was speaking for and the people in the audience had a blast.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Public Speaking: Columbo Technique
Do you remember the soft-spoken, cigar smoking detective on the hit TV series 'Columbo'? Most people do because the show is still in reruns all over the world and once in a while a new episode comes out. One of Detective Columbo's trademarks is that he would start to leave and when he was almost out the door he would stop and say, "Oh. Just one more thing." The same technique can be used by speakers (without the cigar).
Here's how the Columbo technique works: Save one of your really critical points . . . maybe your most important point . . . then completely leave your subject . . . then use the "Oh. Just one more thing" technique and deliver your big point.
Until you've tried this out several times, don't try to use this technique at the end of your speech because people will start shuffling their materials inanticipation of the talk being over. This would cause too much distraction for the technique to have it's full effect.
Begin by using the technique just before a major transition in your talk. That way you will eliminate the shuffling of papers problem noted above. When you get comfortable with this, try the technique before a break. Play with your wording so that you control the audience. Don't say "Well before we take a break . . . " This will start them shuffling. Say something like, "That's all on that topic . . . Oh. and one more thing" . . . then give your main point. As you get really good at controlling the crowd you can try this as your closing. Coming back with the main point will be powerful and memorable.
Oh. Just one more thing . . . .only use this technique ONCE per presentation. :)
Here's how the Columbo technique works: Save one of your really critical points . . . maybe your most important point . . . then completely leave your subject . . . then use the "Oh. Just one more thing" technique and deliver your big point.
Until you've tried this out several times, don't try to use this technique at the end of your speech because people will start shuffling their materials inanticipation of the talk being over. This would cause too much distraction for the technique to have it's full effect.
Begin by using the technique just before a major transition in your talk. That way you will eliminate the shuffling of papers problem noted above. When you get comfortable with this, try the technique before a break. Play with your wording so that you control the audience. Don't say "Well before we take a break . . . " This will start them shuffling. Say something like, "That's all on that topic . . . Oh. and one more thing" . . . then give your main point. As you get really good at controlling the crowd you can try this as your closing. Coming back with the main point will be powerful and memorable.
Oh. Just one more thing . . . .only use this technique ONCE per presentation. :)
Monday, October 02, 2006
Public Speaking: How to Close a Speech
One of the worst mistakes you can make as a public speaker is talking too long. Not only will you send some folks to never, never land, you will make some of them downright mad. It doesn't matter if your entire speech was brilliant and the audience came away with information that will change their lives. If you talk too long, they will leave saying, "That speaker just wouldn't quit." Don't let this happen to you! Say what you have to say and sit down. Before you do, give them a well thought out closing.
The last thing you say may be the most remembered. You must put as much time into selecting and practicing your closing as you put into any other part of your presentation. Just like your opening, your closing does not have to be humorous. It could be motivational, challenging, thoughtful, respectful of the length of the presentation, or it could restate your point in a different way. This ending segment will have a strong influence on what the audience takes home with them when you are done. Please, at sometime during your talk ask the audience to do something. Many a great NO ZZZZZs talk went no further than the walls of the meeting room because the audience wasn't moved to action. If you haven't ask them to do something by now, the closing is your last chance.
If the subject is appropriate, I happen to be fond of humorous closings for several reasons. If you leave them laughing and applauding, you will exit, but an extremely positive impression about you will remain. Another good reason to leave them laughing is that the room will not be deadly silent as you are walking back to your seat. I hate when that happens. I do love laughter and feeling good; finishing a speech humorously gives me and the audience an opportunity to feel great.Speeches that are for entertainment purposes only should generally leave the audience laughing.
Finally, if the subject is not appropriate to end with laughter, you could end with a touching story or quotation that leaves the audience thoughtful and quiet. Even the most serious public speaking subjects can benefit from humor, but the humor should be sprinkled throughout the body of the presentation. Don't put it at the end because closings are powerful and the audience will think your overall attitude toward the subject is flippant.
This same technique can be very effective in ending a mostly humorous speaking engagement. Have them laughing all along while you make your points. Then finish seriously. This contrast will create a great impact. It will convey the fact that you believe in a lighthearted approach to the subject, but the results are very serious to you.
Don't be afraid to use humor when you speak in public. Just make sure you learn to do it right.
The last thing you say may be the most remembered. You must put as much time into selecting and practicing your closing as you put into any other part of your presentation. Just like your opening, your closing does not have to be humorous. It could be motivational, challenging, thoughtful, respectful of the length of the presentation, or it could restate your point in a different way. This ending segment will have a strong influence on what the audience takes home with them when you are done. Please, at sometime during your talk ask the audience to do something. Many a great NO ZZZZZs talk went no further than the walls of the meeting room because the audience wasn't moved to action. If you haven't ask them to do something by now, the closing is your last chance.
If the subject is appropriate, I happen to be fond of humorous closings for several reasons. If you leave them laughing and applauding, you will exit, but an extremely positive impression about you will remain. Another good reason to leave them laughing is that the room will not be deadly silent as you are walking back to your seat. I hate when that happens. I do love laughter and feeling good; finishing a speech humorously gives me and the audience an opportunity to feel great.Speeches that are for entertainment purposes only should generally leave the audience laughing.
Finally, if the subject is not appropriate to end with laughter, you could end with a touching story or quotation that leaves the audience thoughtful and quiet. Even the most serious public speaking subjects can benefit from humor, but the humor should be sprinkled throughout the body of the presentation. Don't put it at the end because closings are powerful and the audience will think your overall attitude toward the subject is flippant.
This same technique can be very effective in ending a mostly humorous speaking engagement. Have them laughing all along while you make your points. Then finish seriously. This contrast will create a great impact. It will convey the fact that you believe in a lighthearted approach to the subject, but the results are very serious to you.
Don't be afraid to use humor when you speak in public. Just make sure you learn to do it right.
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