Using Humor in Presentations

Humor can be a great icebreaker or even save a presentation that’s falling flat, however, you have to use it cautiously. In his book, Presentations That Change Minds: Strategies That Persuade, Convince, and Get Results (McGraw-Hill, 2006), Josh Gordon says that you can use humor to introduce yourself, your subject, or to reinforce a key point or benefit. "Any point reinforced with humor becomes more memorable," says Gordon.

Humor can also be a great way to diffuse anger, criticism, or hostility. Hecklers can often be disarmed by humor. Whatever you do, don’t tell your audience that you are going to tell them a joke – it sets expectations too high and it will start you off in a negative way if these expectations aren’t met. Instead, says Gordon, "Just jump into it and let the element of surprise work for you."

Now that you know how and when to use humor, Gordon offers these suggestions for preparing your delivery:

1. Practice. "Because the most common and effective way to include humor in presentations is to make it seem spontaneous, many people think that it just pops into presentations without effort," says Gordon. "This is an illusion." Practice your joke or humorous line in front of a mirror or trusting audience until it actually sounds spontaneous.
2. Memorize your punch line. "Your punch line is too important to be left to chance," says Gordon. "If you get distracted and blow the punch line, you have botched your whole joke."
3. Deliver the key phrases in your setup slowly and clearly. Gordon suggests slowing your pace while compensating with facial and vocal expression.
4. Let people know that the punch line is coming. Gordon says to pause before giving the punch line. Other ways, suggested by comedian Joey Adams, are to clear your throat before or after the punch line, chuckle, stamp your foot, clap your hands, or slap your thigh.
5. Deliver the punch line clearly, slowly, and plainly. "If they don’t get the punch line, they won’t get the joke," says Gordon. "Make sure everyone in the back row can hear it."
6. After you deliver the punch line, stop talking, and wait for the laugh. "Sometimes it takes a few seconds for the joke to sink in," says Gordon. "To a presenter, laughter is group behavior that needs to be encouraged."
7. Rethink. Developing humor takes time, says Gordon. Rework jokes that don’t work or just lose them.