To Get Attention

It’s well worth collecting and learning a few jokes. They have an important role to play when giving a talk.

         They can help you make a memorable point. They can help you establish a rapport with an audience.

         At the beginning of a presentation. a joke or an anecdote will allow time for an audience to get used to your voice.

         People enjoy a little nonsense occasionally.          Humour is based on experiences and these can vary greatly between countries and different social groups within a country. A joke told to farmers or to lawyers will be very different.

         In most counties, a joke against yourself is often appreciated.

A Handful of Tips to spice up your talks

* Build your own collection

         If you have a job where you need to give many presentations start making a collection of anecdotes and jokes.

* Make it your story

         When you hear, or read a good story – write it down, edit it and make it your joke. Topical stories are best.

         Good joke books are worth collecting and there are plenty of good stories to be found on the internet.

* Rehearse and test it

         Test it out in front of a mirror. Facial expression and timing are very important.

         Act it out.

         Pause before you give the punch line. Making sure it’s loud and clear, so everyone can hear you.

* Keep telling

         Test on family and friends until you get a good laugh every time.

* File it

         By making a collection you can spice up your talks at short notice.

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“The essence of humour is that it should be unexpected  and contain an element of surprise“