HUMOR, THE SECRET WEAPON OF PUBLIC speaking

People on stage often take themselves too seriously. Many speakers at conferences or in front of the camera are slaves to imposed roles or expectations from others, which robs them of authenticity. I have repeatedly witnessed deadly serious speeches from people I know in everyday life as significantly more cordial, relaxed, and fun.

It's not because of stage fright or a topic that would require such seriousness, but because of the mistaken assumption that by joking they risk spoiling the overall impression.

But one of the secrets to a successful speech really lies in something as simple and fun as humor. In five points, I'll show you how humor can be your best friend on stage. Of course, provided you're not performing after a stand-up comedian.

Humor in public speaking

Humor is useful in almost any situation – it builds rapport with your audience, relieves tension, and increases the likelihood that people will remember you. There are few situations where humor is inappropriate (funeral speeches or meetings with the IRS, for example). While you may not be a born comedian, with the right approach, anyone can learn to use humor to make their public speaking more effective and entertaining.

Using humor in public speaking is like salt in a dish – add a little spice to your dish and your speeches will be unforgettably good. But as with salt, be careful not to overdo it – because no one likes a too-salty meal. Here are 5 key points to help you use humor in your speech:

1. Know your audience

The first rule of humor: know who you are talking to! Not every joke is appropriate for every audience. The more serious the audience, the more carefully you need to choose your jokes. For example, if you are in a business meeting and start telling a joke from elementary school, you could provoke reactions ranging from “what is this?” to “are we at a child’s birthday party?” Humor should be appropriate to the situation and context.

If in doubt, simply stay away from anything too risqué or offensive. Don't force humor. Jokes are a relic of the past. They last too long and are a form of "forced" humor. The audience, by listening to them, practically agrees that the joke "must" be funny to them, and most of the time it isn't. I would say that only a small portion of the "boomer" generation still perceives jokes positively.

Tip: Light, short, self-deprecating jokes almost always work – because who doesn't like to laugh at themselves? Even if your planned "joke" doesn't work out, have a plan B ready. Something like... "this sounded better in my head this morning."

2. Start with humor – that's totally OK

Nothing is set in stone. Some speakers will start with a powerful story, some with a question or interesting tidbit, but the beginning of a speech is also a good time to throw in some humor. It can help break the ice and reduce tension, both for you and your audience. A good opening with humor sets the tone for a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Don’t have the perfect joke? Few do. Sometimes an average joke will do. If the audience laughs out of pity, it’s still laughter – take what you can get. 😊

Example: "You know that feeling when you get scared of public speaking? If you don't know, this is what it looks like (pointing to yourself)...

3. Be short and clear with jokes – humor is not the point of the performance

Humor is a great tool, but don’t forget that your primary mission is to get your message across. Jokes should be short and sweet – like quick popsicles. If you get too comical, you risk losing the audience’s focus. The audience didn’t come to see you as a stand-up comedian (unless they did – in which case you have a completely different problem!)

Tip: One or two jokes in ten minutes keeps the momentum going, but with more than that you risk losing the point in your attempts to appear funny. Again, if you're reading this - you're probably not a stand-up comedian.

4. Self-deprecating jokes are golden

When we laugh at ourselves, everyone laughs with us. There’s no safer bet in humor than making jokes about yourself. Don’t turn it into self-mockery, but self-deprecation makes you more approachable and likeable, and it also helps reduce any appearance of arrogance. Plus, laughing at yourself shows that you’re confident—because, who would make jokes about themselves if they weren’t confident?

Example: "Ten years ago I thought I knew everything about sales. Then I realized I didn't know anything, but I think I've learned a few things since then. I'm looking forward to the next decade."

5. Close with humor

The closing part of your speech can (or doesn't have to) be where you throw in one last, clever joke that will make the audience laugh and make them feel good. It's like dessert after lunch – the last impression is always the sweetest.

Example: "Thank you for listening to me! And if you stopped listening somewhere in the middle of the speech and didn't learn anything, I'm glad I at least entertained you."

Conclusion

Find a balance, adapt your humor to your audience, and enjoy every moment on stage. With a touch of humor, even the most serious speech can become one that people will remember. Relax, laugh at yourself, and show your audience that a speech with humor is always better!

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