- There are many benefits you can derive from using humor when speaking. Keep in mind that these benefits only help you reach your ultimate purpose for making the presentation. They are not purposes themselves unless, of course, you are only interested in entertaining.
Using Humor in Public Speaking helps you do the following:
HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE.
MAKES YOU MORE LIKEABLE.
AROUSES INTEREST.
KEEPS ATTENTION.
HELPS EMPHASIZE POINTS AND IDEAS.
DISARMS HOSTILITY.
OVERCOMES OVERLY FLATTERING INTRODUCTIONS.
GETS YOUR POINT ACROSS WITHOUT CREATING HOSTILITY.
HELPS RELATE FACTS AND FIGURES.
MAKES A POSITIVE IMPRESSION.
SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.
HELPS PAINT PICTURES IN THE AUDIENCE'S MIND.
MAKES INFORMATION MORE MEMORABLE.
LIGHTENS UP HEAVY MATERIAL.
YOU WILL BE ASKED BACK.
YOUR SPEAKING WILL GET YOU HIGHER EVALUATIONS OR MORE SALES.
YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.
YOU WILL MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.
This is my favorite benefit. I get great satisfaction from knowing that I have brightened someone else's life. I had an executive come up to me after one of my humor seminars and say, 'You opened up a whole new world for me.' I almost cried right on the spot. I'll never forget it.
