THE VITAMIN E
OF PUBLIC SPEAKING PRESENTED BY NEW DELHI INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT
What qualities put a public speaker or presenter at an advantage when stepping up in front of an audience?Â
GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR
YOU MIGHT EVEN CALL A SENSE OF HUMOR “THE PRESENTER’S VITAMIN E” When you’ve got it, it makes you:
Entertaining Engaging Effective
ENTERTAINMEN T Humor makes your audience feel better.
Humor makes your audience feel better. You and your presentation’s message are going to stick in their memories – pleasantly.
ENGAGEMENT Humor heightens your audience’s engagement. You’ll have their close attention, which opens the door to better reception, comprehension, acceptance and retention of your message.
EFFECTIVENESS Humor has a unique way of easing the natural tendency to distance oneself from a difficult topic. It enables you to relay your messages more smoothly and effectively.
HOW SHOULD YOU USE HUMOR IN PUBLIC SPEAKING?
#1 KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE Your knowledge will give you insights into what they’re likely to find humorous – or not.
#2: KEEP YOUR HUMOR APPROPRIATE AND RELEVANT A joke or humorous reference should reinforce your message. It should keep things light, but not throw your listeners off message and off track.
#3: SELF-DEPRECATING HUMOR CAN BE EFFECTIVE Poking fun at your own weaknesses, shortcomings or differences can help make the audience more accepting.
WARNING: Be funny, but don’t downgrade your brand, credibility, or reputation in the process.
#4: KEEP IT CLEAN Off-color jokes are almost sure to offend someone in an audience of professionals and make you look far from professional.
#5: IF YOU HAVE A HARD TIME DELIVERING JOKES OR PUNCHLINES WELL, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP USING THEM Alternative: use humorous props or photos.
When you hear something particularly good and funny, take a moment to make a note about it so you’ll have it on hand when it’s time to build your next presentation.
THANK YOU