Does it Work If we Use Jokes in Speech?

 

Many people have the question, "Is it a good idea to begin my presentation by making an amusing joke during my training for presentation skills? My first response was, "No! "

Today, I'm a huge fan of humor, just like everyone else and more than most people. I've performed on stage with an improv group for the past six years and have implemented improv comedy principles and concepts in my leadership training and communication skills programs.

(Improv is not a way to memorize jokes but rather requires that you be present and spontaneously respond to suggestions from the audience and the recommendations that your fellow performers have suggested. Improving allows you to connect with your audience when it comes to speaking. Stay completely present, and be confident that you're ready enough to face the unexpected, from a technical issue or an unanticipated query to an alarm for fire. )

Here are four reasons why I wouldn't suggest starting the presentation by telling a rehearsed joke:

1. Jokes can be hard to nail down.

Funny jokes depend on the timing of delivery. Professional comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld work for hours to perfect their jokes and determine which words to use and where to highlight and when to wait before they deliver your punch line. The art of telling a joke correctly is a great amount of pressure to place on yourself before starting your speech, particularly when you're already anxious.

If you're a standup comedian who performs for about fifteen minutes, you could afford to make a few blunders in your jokes. But suppose you're delivering an event, and your joke is the opening. In that case, it's difficult to bounce back from a joke that's not quite right and from the awkward silence during the audience's confusion over whether they're supposed to be laughing.

Speaking isn't about perfection; it's about communication, so perfection is unattainable and not necessary. However, jokes demand you to be close to perfect, particularly when it's your opening line and the only joke you'll ever tell.

2. You've heard it before.

Suppose you aren't a professional joke writer (and if you'd like to have someone else write humorous lines for you, such as Deez nuts joke. Your jokes are likely to come from the Internet. If you find a funny joke, it is likely to mean that some of your readers have been able to read it in their inbox. If it's a joke that is unique to a specific industry and the probability is more likely than many people have heard or read about it.

The most important element of comedy is that element of shock, whether it's the unexpected juxtaposition of events or words or a twist at the end of the story, or an unexpected joke. If the people watching are familiar with the joke you'll lose the ability of excitement. An old-fashioned joke can make you appear to be "same old, same old" instead of being a distinct person with a unique view on the subject.

3. You could offend someone.

Although you shouldn't begin your presentation by saying "a priest, a rabbi, and a priest" walk into a bar" due to the obvious insensitivity of most people, there are a few jokes and forms of humor that are not offensive to everyone, particularly in light of the audience's religious, cultural and challenging to come up with a clear, funny and appropriate joke that's an appropriate choice for any audience.

There's no way to tell if someone is offended by your joke until they let you know. People laughing does not mean that they're not hurt or offended by the joke. Sometimes they succumb to the social pressure to smile but are inwardly upset or even angered.

Starting your presentation by making people feel uncomfortable won't aid in delivering your message effectively.

4. Even if you've got the right answer and they've never seen it before, and it doesn't offend anyone else, it could be insignificant.

If all goes as planned, your audience may view your joke as unimportant. They may be laughing but aren't sure what you mean by telling them this and how it is related to the message you're trying to convey. Even if you believe it's obvious and pertinent to your presentation, they may be confused about the point. It's not a good decision to start by misunderstanding your audience.

The next time you're asked to make an address, keep in mind these four issues. If you're unable to solve each of them, avoid the urge, to begin with a joke you stumbled across on the Internet, and you'll stand a greater chance of being successful.