by Lisa B. Marshall 

Recently I did an episode on how to add humor to presentations. Turns out it was a very popular article. So for the Christmas day ep article I decided to expand on the previous one by talking about common humor mistakes-- or the three no, no, nos of ho, ho, ho.

Humor is actually a serious subject and a powerful rhetorical tool. Humor connects you with your audience.  Humor commands attention. Humor energizes your audience. However, it isn't always a laughing matter. Humor can easily offend and alienate.
 
To get it right requires a great deal of thought and consideration. And if you don't get it right, you can not only sink your presentation, you can kill your credibility. So today, I'll cover three common humor mistakes and how to avoid them.

Tip #1: Don't Start With a Joke

Perhaps the worst public speaking advice I've heard is to start off a presentation with a joke. Don't do that. Really, don't do that. Unless you are a natural comedian, it's unlikely you're good at telling jokes. Besides, if the joke bombs, or worse the joke offends, you've started your presentation on a very bad note and it's almost impossible to recover. For most people, staring with a joke is just too risky.

It's better--much better--to start with a humorous story from your personal experience. When you share an ordinary, but funny, real-life experience, it makes is very easy for your audience to relate to you. Besides, it's much easier to tell your own story than to tell a joke.

Just be sure your story is relevant and brief. That’s in fact, another common mistake. If it’s too long or it’s not obvious how your story relates to your topic, the audience will be left scratching their heads. Again, not a good way to start.

Tip #2: Don't Overdose on Self-Deprecating Humor

In my last article on how to add humor to your presentations, I suggested you use self-deprecating humor. That is the type of humor that requires you to make fun of your own weaknesses. One reader wrote to me to say that he felt that this was bad advice in the corporate world where you are trying to always highlight your strengths.

That may be true; but it’s also true that people who are able to laugh at themselves just the right amount are perceived as confident and likable, not insecure and weak. So what is just the right amount?

It depends; but a little goes a long way. Just don't go overboard. Don't constantly put yourself down. Think of self-deprecating humor instead, as a little bit of gentle teasing. One slightly embarrassing story or two short comments about small mistakes you've made in a ten-minute talk is plenty.

The key is to choose examples of mistakes or embarrassing stories that aren't directly tied to your expertise. Poke fun of yourself in ways that can't impact your credibility. For example, comments about your appearance will work. Are you really tall? Really short? Maybe you've got bright orange hair?  Or talk about a mistake you’ve made, such as the time you misused a word, or the story of your most recent travel disaster. 

Tip #3: Don't Rush

It's not just what you say that makes something humorous; it's how you say it.

Of course, it's not just what you say that makes something humorous; it's how you say it. The pace of your delivery has a strong impact on your comic effect. When you are delivering humor you need to practice beforehand and perfect your pauses.

Turns out it's funnier if you pause just before and after the punch line. The pause before the punch line helps to build suspense and tension. The pause afterward gives your audience time to recognize the humor and to react.

Listen to this modified quote from Robert Frost that I sometimes deliver: "As scientists you know the brain is a wonderful thing. It never stops working, from the time you are born, until <pause> the moment you stand-up to give a speech <pause>.

Again, the pause before the punch line makes it funnier because the audience fills the pause--they anticipate the remainder of the sentence. Then, when the punch line is delivered, it’s funny because it’s not what they were expecting. The pause at the end is equally important. You need to give your audience an opportunity to laugh. A common mistake is to rush onto the next sentence. Remember, sometimes it takes a few seconds to “get it. If you rush, instead of giving permission to think about the comment and laugh, you’ve done the opposite. By moving on you’re silently asking your audience to concentrate on your next words. I know this because I made this mistake many times and kept wondering why the audience wasn’t laughing.

So there you have it three quick and dirty tips to help you avoid three common mistakes with humor. Don’t start a presentation with a joke, don’t overdose on self-deprecating humor, and don’t rush your humor lines.

This is The Public Speaker, Lisa B. Marshall. Passionate about communication, your success is my business.

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If you have a question, leave a voicemail at 206-350-7970. Or send email to publicspeaker@quickanddirtytips.com. For information about keynote speeches or workshops, visit lisabmarshall.com.

Resources

The Public Speaker’s Guide To Ace Your Interview: 6 Steps To Get The Job You Want
Stevie Ray's Medium-Sized Book of Comedy : What We Laugh At... and Why
21 Free Humor Articles from John Kinde