• Home
    • About Us >
      • The Presentation Pros
      • Deborah Darling
      • Anne Stevens
    • Contact Us >
      • Workshops Sign Up
  • Programs
    • Online Courses >
      • Body Language
    • The Art of Presentation
    • College Graduates
    • Executive Edge
    • Straight Talk
    • Persuasive PowerPoint
    • Poised for Power
    • Motivation Through Relaxation
    • Mastering the Art of Business Attire
    • Team Presentations
    • Lunch And Learns
  • Keynote
  • Resources
    • Coaching
    • Podcasts
    • Books & Audio
  • Blog
  • Store
    • Coaching Packages
    • Speaking Packages
    • Books by Deborah Darling >
      • Dress to Look Your Best
      • PRESENT: 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation
      • Upsizewoman in a Downsize World
    • Presentation Exercises by Deborah Darling
    • Guided Meditation MP3's
    • Corporate Gifting >
      • Speaking Packages
  The Presentation Pros

Humor Isn’t Always a Laughing Matter

4/3/2015

0 Comments

 
Humor Isn't Always A Laughing Matter
Last week we spoke about happiness. I believe that in order to be happy you must be able to see the humor in life. This week I would like to touch on humor because all humor is not created equal.  

One of the questions we get asked a lot at The Presentation Pros is: when is it appropriate to use humor in a presentation, or should it be used at all? Humor when use appropriately is a wonderful way to build rapport, ease tension, diffuse a hostile question and emphasize a key point. Because people love humor it can help your audience stay focused on your message. Studies show that when humor is used to convey a message the audience retains the information longer. Having said this, there is a big difference in adding humor and telling jokes. The wrong kind of humor can take your presentation south in a hurry and really decrease your credibility.

Even the best of comics tell jokes that fall flat. Their timing is a bit off or the audience considers the joke to be in very poor taste. The comic has a host of other jokes and one-liners to follow so that joke that just flat-lined is not as noticeable. Their audience is expecting them to deliver one joke after another. In fact, that is what they are there for. Unless you are a comedian, your audience is not expecting this kind of performance from you. While humor is appreciated, you have to be very careful with it.

As I mentioned there is a big difference between humor and jokes. Jokes solicit an on-demand response. If they flat-line because your timing is off, it is not funny to your audience, or your audience considers the joke in poor taste, now what do you do? Where do you go? It is really hard to get back on track and build that rapport again after a bad joke. God forbid you ever start with a joke. When a starting joke goes south, it is almost impossible to ever build rapport with your audience. You’ve pretty much lost them for good.

Humor works well when it is relevant to your presentation and to your audience. The best humor is found in everyday, real-life experiences that audiences can relate to. If you have a funny personal experience that can help convey your point—even better. Make sure it is appropriate humor for the demographics of your audience and that it is not funny just for the sake of adding humor. Humor must help you make your point with your audience. When the right kind of humor is used, the audience will understand the point you are trying to make even if they do not particularly find your anecdote or story funny.

Be extremely careful with humor when you are dealing with a cross-cultural audience. Not all humor is universal. What plays well in America may be a huge insult in Dubai. Make sure you do some thorough research before you decide to add that humorous anecdote or example into your overseas presentation.

While humor can be very effective in small doses, don’t overuse it. If you are delivering a 30 minute presentation you can use humor two to three times tops. Don’t ever laugh at your own humor and if no one else laughs either keep going. You don’t want to get that deer in the headlights look. The good news is that unlike jokes that can flat-line, the right kind of humor, the humor we are talking about, has no negative consequence to you. But before you use humor ask yourself if the humor will help to clarify your message. If the answer is no, don’t use it.  If you decide to use it, keep it short and sweet. Remember the humor is only there to underscore your point. It is not there on its own merits.

Never start your presentation with a joke, especially one that has nothing to do with your presentation. You may however, begin with a humorous anecdote, analogy or example if it is relevant to the presentation and helps to underscore your message. Avoid offensive humor. Never use ethnic, racist, sexist or off-color humor. Avoid sarcasm. Avoid any humor that demeans anyone in any way shape or form. Leave that kind of humor to Don Rickles. People find it highly offensive.

Having said all this, how and where do you find the right material? Personal stories are great because you lived them and can tell them without any hesitation. Humorous quotes by recognizable people can be used as well. Start to build a file of great quotes and compile them under topics for future use. Pay attention to any humorous anecdotes, analogies, examples that you hear from others and adapt them to your own needs.

Anecdotes are the most common use of humor. They are interesting stories based on real events. They can be stories from your personal experiences, someone else’s experiences or the experiences of someone well known. The important thing is that you relate to it, your audience can relate to it and it relates to your presentation. 

Analogies are another great way to use humor. An analogy is a comparison between two things that are alike in some way. It usually contains the word “like” in it. Find the humor in the point you are trying to make and then compare it to something that your audience can identify with.

The good news is that we all have funny life experiences that we can relay to others and our audiences can relate to. We are hard-wired to remember stories and everyone loves a funny story. Start to pay attention to the humor around you and see where you can make some of that humor relevant to your presentation at hand. With a little practice, you can deliver that anecdote, analogy, example, aside, or quote with great timing and effectiveness. When you use humor that is relevant to you, your audience and your presentation you convey your message with the clarity and credibility it deserves. Remember this rule: If in doubt, leave humor out.

Debbie Darling, ©2015 The Presentation Pros
Read more of The Presentation Pros blog HERE.

Deborah Darling is the owner and president of The Presentation Pros, a soft skills training company empowering people with the skill sets to deliver their message with power and persuasion. She is a professional development coach, international best-selling author, speaker and trainer. To book a training or keynote go to HERE.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.


    Phone:  216-501-2814

    Join Our Mailing List
    Picture

    Deborah Darling

    Deborah Darling is a professional development coach, trainer and an internationally acclaimed best selling author and speaker. She is an expert in the fields of personal image, self-esteem, personal growth and development. She is the author of five books, including Upsize Woman in a Downsize World™, the international best seller Dress to Look Your Best: Fashion Secrets the Experts Don't Share and her new book PRESENT: 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation. She conducts powerful, provocative workshops on all aspects of communication and personal growth and transformation. She has trained for many Fortune 500 companies in all aspects of communication and empowers her clients with the skill sets to deliver their messages with power and persuasion.
    From 1997-2002 she was the national spokesperson for the largest retailer of women's plus size fashions in the world. In addition, she's been an on-camera and voice over personality for some of America's best known companies, and has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including Hard Copy, The Richard Simmons Show and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Debbie is a facilitator for both Jack Canfield's self-esteem seminars and Dr. Teri Mahaney's Change Your Mind program.

    The workshops she conducts give her the opportunity to use her skills in helping her clients identify their greatest strengths and provide them with tools to achieve their full potential. She loves to help people find their voice and gain an open, confident credible presence. Debbie's ability to recognize and build on others' fundamental strengths provides immediate results for her clients. She looks forward to working with you to achieve your goals.

      FREE PowerPoint Tip Sheet

      PowerPoint Tip Sheet
    Download NOW!

    Categories

    Attitude
    Self Esteem
    Presentation Skills
    Business Etiquette

    Books
    by Deborah Darling

    Picture
    PRESENT - 7 Keys to a Powerful, Persuasive Presentation by Deborah Darling
    Dress To Look Your Best - Fashion Secrets the Experts Don't Share by Deborah Darling

    Archives

    May 2017
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013


    Women In Motion Business Grouup



    NetworkedBlogs
    Blog:
    Training To Go The Distance
    Topics:
    Training, Personal Executive Coach, Presentation Skills
     
    Follow my blog


The Presentation Pros™ Copyright 2013 - 2020  ©. All Rights Reserved. Website designed by MC Design & Services, LLC.

Photos used under Creative Commons from therichbrooks, Cea., nogek, jeff_golden, fauxto_digit, Celestine Chua, timlewisnm, tgratton77, LornaJane.net, mikemol, Long Zheng, wizardofozgurl, Robert Couse-Baker, Joybot, "Whiz, Hometown Beauty