Why It's Important To Effectively Use Humor in
Every Speech You Give!

By Peter J. Fogel

Yesterday on CSPAN I was watching retired elder statesman George McGovern giving a speech to college students on how the Bush Administration, (because of the Iraqi War) should make a concerted effort to mend fences with our allies, especially France. The talk was dry and monotonous and contained information we've all heard before from other democrats. 

Mr. McGovern thought it was counter-productive that we were boycotting French products and that the Senate commissary had renamed French Fries as "Freedom Fries." George, matter-of-factly looked at his audience and said, "What's next? Do we ban French kissing? Well, the audience was completely caught off guard by the flippant remark and responded with LAUGHTER and APPLAUSE. 

But it got better. You see, George then looked at the mediator seated to his right for a response and all he could muster was, (and I am paraphrasing now) "Well, it's been a long time for me, George. I'm more concerned with not going blind." The auditorium full of at least 500 people of academia showed their approval with even bigger LAUGHTER and more APPLAUSE. 

For a brief respite these men, who didn't set out to be, were now "Martin and Lewis." And they couldn't help but soak up the adulation from their audience. Whether it was planned or not, the mediator had topped George.

Together these two men had turned a very dry (and overly discussed subject) into an enjoyable listening experience for all who attended that afternoon. (And I am sure those funny remarks will be discussed at the water cooler the next day.)

To Succeed As An All-Around Speaker You Can't Ever Be Boring!

And this proves a very important point for your own speaking career. And that even though you're an authority in your field and you have the knowledge to change your audience and seminars attendees professional and personal lives with your information, it sill won't mean "hill of beans."

Why? Because your message will be lost if you look out into the audience and notice their collective heads have snapped back and there are zzz's cascading out of their mouths.

Yes, you want to make an impact! Yes, you'd be giddy if you got a real standing ovation… (and not the one where the attendees were rising and leaving the room anyway.) 

But to help you get it… to assist you in your quest to break away from the pack of other speakers… to become the superstar platform star or seminar leader that you're destined to be… you've got to get out of your comfort zone and learn to effectively intertwine humor in your speeches.

• As shown by George McGovern, you should use humor because it will
•  surprise and keep your audience off-guard so their defenses are lowered.
• done correctly it will entertain and enlighten your listeners so your message is absorbed better.
•  Breaks up the monotony of a very heavy content driven speech
• Show your humanity which will make your audience bond to you quicker. (Strong content, plus humor = higher evaluation forms)

Three Effective Ways to Use Humor!

1) Know Your Audience: Humor is subjective. If you're making a playful remark about a particular person in the room… or you're making light of a particular situation that happened to the attendees. Go with your gut and clear it with the organizers, first. You want laughter – not security escorting you off the premises.

2) Humorous Story: Since cave-man days stories have enthralled and always drawn us towards speakers. (especially if they're holding a spear) But your story should be organic. Never tell a humorous story (or anyone for that matter.) if there's no point to it. Sprinkle little comedic tidbits through out the anecdote and end on a HUGE punch line… which is your payoff!

3) Local Humor: If you're visiting a town for the first time… pick up some funny tidbits about the area that everyone knows and can relate to. Your audience will know you "did your homework" and appreciate you for it and laugh even harder!

Perfect Practice Make Perfect!

Remember: Test your humor first in on impartial audience. If it works, great. Now if it fails--- always have a "saver line." (Johnny Carson was a genius at that.) And don't immediately discard the joke. If it works two out of three times, analyze why it didn't "hit" that third time. 

Was your delivery off? Was it for the wrong audience? Experience will show when a particular "bit" is a keeper. Naturally, don't repeat a joke if it fails over and over again hoping that you'll catch lightning in a bottle on the umpteenth time. If it's dead weight, lose it. Instead apply the "jokes that deliver you a strong ROI every time. Rinse and repeat procedure over and over again for success 

And remember: You can't ever afford to be boring! 

Peter J. Fogel speaker/copywriter/consultant and author of the book "If Not Now... Then When" Strategies and Stories of People Over 40 Who Have Successfully Reinvented  Themselves. As a performer he's worked on such shows as "Whoopi" "Hope & Faith" and "Married With Children," and has appeared on "Evening At The Improv" "Carolines Comedy Hour" and "Comic Strip Live." A veteran actor, and stand-up comic for over 23 years, he's shared the stage with Ray Romano Dennis Miller and has performed in Las Vegas, opening for such stars a J.J. Walker & Rita Rudner. He coaches speakers and seminar leaders in speech writing and presentation skills. His website is www.fortune500comedy.com. He can reached at 561-245-5252

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