Public Speaking: Humor Placement

You are probably wondering how you decide where to put the humor you have so carefully selected to use in your presentation. You weren't wondering? Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. First of all, starting with a funny story or joke is expected and trite. You may want to postpone your story until the audience is resolved that you will be bestowing a rare case of sleeping sickness on them and then you surprise them with the humor. Don't be afraid to do the unexpected. Humor is one of the attention getting devices that can take your audience to the peaks of intensity.

Public Speaking: Rule of Three

One of the most pervasive principles in the construction of humorous situations is the Rule of Three. You will see it used over and over because it is simple. It is powerful and it works (see I just used it there in a non-funny situation). Most of the time in humor the Rule of Three is used in the following fashion: The first comment names the topic, the second sets a pattern, and the third unexpectedly switches the pattern which is funny. Here's a few examples from brochures advertising my seminars:

Public Speaking: Why Use Humor?

Why should I bother using humor in my public speaking? Can't I just deliver my information and sit down? You sure can and that's what most people do. The problem is that most people are not effective public speakers. They are nighty nite, snooze inducing, say your prayers, hit the sack, unlicensed hypnotists. They are ZZZZZs presenters. They might be experts in their field and be able to recite hours and hours of information on their topic, but is that effective?

Public Speaking: Dueling Flip Charts

Here is a very interesting way to use flip charts when public speaking. Put one on both sides of the stage and pop back and forth between them. You can have an audience member volunteer at each flip chart helping you record input from other audience members.

Public Speaking: Get 'em On Stage

Good public speaking should use attention gaining devices. Here is one that works every time: Virtually every speaking presentation I do, I find some excuse to get someone on stage with me. When an audience member is on stage, the rest of the audience is glued to the action for the following reasons:

Anxiety in Public Speaking

“I can’t believe I agreed to do this speech. Look at all those people out there! My knees are shaking, and my stomach feels like I just went over the top of a roller coaster. My heart is beating so fast and hard my tie is jumping. I just want to scream and run away!”

The Path to Profitable Speaking

How to get started in your own profitable speaking business...

How to Avoid Audience Saturation

The elements of an effecive speech and how to deliver it.

How to Read Your Way to Speaking Success

How to become an expert in your field and then speak your expertise for fantastic fees.

What if You Were a Good Public Speaker Too?

Most all small business people are truly exceptional at what they do, they have learned through the school of hard knocks and have it pretty much all figured out. What if they were better at conveying the message? What if they were better at informational selling?

Celebrities Have to Deal with Nerves Too!

TV makes celebrities look perfect during awards shows, TV shows or commercials they do. The reality isn't quite as glamourous. They sweat, they have nerves and they freak out just as much as we do... and here's an inside look!

Challenge, Inform or Get Off The Stage - Presentation Skills and Powerful Public Speakers

The fear of public speaking keeps many professionals from taking a lead roll in the workplace. It shouldn't. With some basic do's and don'ts and practice, you can be a powerful public speaker.

The 9 Pillars of Gesture for Public Speaking

To master the art of public speaking, you must have mastered the art of gesture. Here are the 9 pillars of gesture to speed you along your way to becoming a world-class speaker.

Use Props to Improve Your Public Speaking Confidence

The fear of public speaking can be lessened if you use props. Furthermore, props make presentations more interesting for an audience and they can be used as a memory trigger for speakers.

Speech Rate Too Fast? Tips to Slow Down

A rapid rate of speech can result in poor comprehension by a listener. In sales that is particularly dangerous.