re192: The REAL Reason the Chicken Crossed the Road

Greetings from Driebergen,

I ?have a presentation tonight on using humor in presentations and speeches. 

?I ?have a few things not to do: ?

1. ??Attempt funny (and untested) ?jokes
2. Go for the improvisational “spar with the audience”
3. Wing it

?Whereas I ?have a few tactics that can work even if you’re in that huge part of the population that always comes up to me after a talk and asks, “But what if I’m not funny?” ?

?These are for you: ?

1. Set the tone, “Own the Stage.” ?Set the scene BEFORE you even open your mouth. Even a long pause can get the audience’s attention. This makes all the difference. “Where’s the humor in this?” ?you ask. It can be in a gesture, a smile, a light disposition. PRO TIP: don’t open with a PowerPoint presentation … 
2. ?Tell BAD ?jokes. Then laugh AT and WITH yourself. (See video below.)
3. Self-deprecating humor. See note about bad jokes. Tell a joke or something funny about yourself in which you are silly or dumb or ______ something the audience can relate to. It breaks the ice, it brings them onto your side. 

?But my Number 1 tip for better–and funnier–public speaking? ?

?Practice. 

?Want to get even better than that?

?Practice some more.

?It’s December 10, 2021. This is episode #49 of 2021. I ?did another 52 weeks in 2020. That means I’m out here busting my butt 48 times practicing out here on my Forest Stage so when I’m on the “real” ?stage, I’m all the more ready. 

?Was each one award-winning and awesome? ?

?Absolutely not. 

?Did I ?get better each time?

?Probably. 

?PRO TIP: No, you can’t think about speaking or talk about speaking. The words have to come out of your mouth, your vocal cords have to vibrate and sound has to exit your body. THEN, and only then, are you practicing. 

?I’m here on Thursdays. Even though today is Friday. 

?Humor me. 

?Show up.

?Send me a video. 

?See you next week.

?Bradley

?

[ https://youtu.be/olUtP11tXjg ]