How to Use Humor in a Speech Opening

Summary

In this video, Alex Lyon challenges the common advice of starting presentations with a setup-punchline joke, arguing that it often leads to awkward moments when the joke falls flat. Instead, he suggests three lighthearted ways to grab attention without the risk of a failed joke: quoting someone humorous, telling a lighthearted story with a clear goal, and using funny visuals. By implementing these techniques, speakers can create engaging moments without the anxiety of needing to deliver a perfect punchline, making the audience feel at ease and ensuring a smoother presentation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid starting presentations with stand-up comedy-style setup-punchline jokes, as they carry a high risk of failure.
• 😀 Using humor in presentations is effective, but it should be lighthearted and low-risk to avoid awkward situations.
• 😀 A poorly received joke can lead to nervous chuckles and an uncomfortable atmosphere, especially in the first moments of a presentation.
• 😀 Quoting a famous comedian or public figure can be a safer way to use humor without putting pressure on yourself to be funny.
• 😀 When quoting someone else, the humor is attributed to them, and if it doesn't land, it's not your responsibility.
• 😀 Jerry Seinfeld's humor is an example of how quoting someone funny can bring a smile without the risk of a failed joke.
• 😀 Telling a lighthearted story with a goal or destination adds humor by highlighting obstacles along the way.
• 😀 Humorous stories are more engaging when there's a clear goal that characters are trying to achieve but constantly face setbacks.
• 😀 Movies like *Dumb and Dumber* use humor by showing characters' funny failures while trying to reach a destination.
• 😀 Visual humor is another great tool for adding levity to your presentation, such as funny pictures or memes on your slides.
• 😀 Using a visual joke removes the need for verbal delivery, making it a low-risk option that is likely to get a laugh.

Q & A

Why does the speaker disagree with starting a presentation with a stand-up comic-style joke?

The speaker believes that starting with a stand-up comic-style joke is risky because it can lead to awkward moments if the joke doesn't land, which may cause nervous laughter or crickets, negatively affecting the presentation's tone.

What is the potential issue with the speaker telling their own joke at the start of a presentation?

The issue is that if the joke doesn't get a laugh, it can lead to an uncomfortable situation where the speaker may nervously try to cue the audience into the joke, making it even more awkward.

What is one way to add humor to a presentation without taking the risk of telling a joke?

One way is to quote someone else who is funny, like a comedian, and share their humorous line. This takes the focus off the speaker and places it on the quote, which has a higher chance of resonating with the audience.

Why is quoting someone else seen as a safer option for adding humor in a presentation?

Quoting a comedian or a well-known humorous figure is safer because the joke has already been tested and is likely to resonate with the audience, reducing the risk of awkwardness.

How does the speaker suggest using humor through storytelling?

The speaker suggests telling a lighthearted story that includes a goal the person in the story is trying to achieve, where obstacles along the way lead to humorous situations. This approach adds humor without relying on punchlines.

What makes a story lighthearted and humorous, according to the speaker?

A lighthearted and humorous story includes a goal that the protagonist is trying to achieve, but the obstacles they face prevent them from reaching that goal, creating a funny and engaging narrative.

Can humor be effectively added through visuals in a presentation? If so, how?

Yes, humor can be added through visuals, such as showing a funny image or joke on a slide. This method is low-risk because the audience is likely to laugh at something universally recognized as funny, without the need for the speaker to tell a joke.

Why does the speaker emphasize using visuals over telling a joke?

The speaker emphasizes using visuals because it guarantees a smile or chuckle from the audience without the pressure of delivering a joke. Visuals, such as funny pictures, are almost universally funny and can easily grab the audience's attention.

What does the speaker say about the risks of using jokes as attention grabbers?

The speaker warns that using jokes as attention grabbers is high-risk because if the joke doesn't land, it can create a tense and awkward atmosphere, negatively affecting the presentation.

What is the 'question of the day' posed by the speaker, and why is it important?

The 'question of the day' asks viewers for their suggestions on how to add humor to a presentation without relying on traditional jokes. It is important because it encourages audience engagement and invites new ideas for improving presentations.