5 Tips for Adding Humor to Your Speech

Incorporating humor into speeches is essential, as it often distinguishes certain speakers. We all aspire to inject a bit of fun into our presentations, whether they're business pitches or any other kind of discourse.

Note: This article is from blogger Raquel Aldiosa Kato, who gives us 5 tips for adding humor to your speech.

Even in an eulogy, we typically remember a speech that included a touch of humor more than others. But the question is, how can this be achieved?

Five must-follow tips for adding humor to your speech

1. Use Your Own Style

You should already have a unique sense of humor, much like if you were selling a product to people. You must establish your brand before doing anything else.

Determine what genuinely amuses you to shape your content. These are the elements that tend to come off as funnier and more natural. Additionally, learn the art of relaxation and composure, as tension can often trip you up when reaching the humorous parts, resulting in failure to amuse your audience. Keep in mind that those who fearlessly embrace moments of absurdity in front of the audience are usually the ones who excel.

2. Know Your Audience

You have to understand that people are influenced by different types of humor. You need to accept the idea that what's funny to you may not be funny to someone else, so you have to make an effort.

You can start by getting to know your audience—are they parents, students, entertainment enthusiasts, political activists, or something else? However, it's crucial to understand that people find humor in things connected to their lives, particularly those they can either relate to or have experienced firsthand. In other words, you can't share a joke about business and finance with teenagers.

3. Learn Some Tricks

Choose a style that genuinely appeals to you and that you believe you can deliver effectively. There are various methods to add humor to your speech, such as using irony, wordplay, or introducing a surprising twist at the end of your speech.

You can read books by skilled speakers, comedians, speechwriters, and others to help generate ideas and find the type of humor that suits you and your audience. You can also take a page from American talk show hosts like Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, American comedian Jimmy Fallon, and other TV hosts. They often poke fun at current news or the individuals making headlines.

Be careful not to offend the audience, or at the very least, be prepared for a negative reaction. Another type of 'tough humor' is self-deprecating humor, where you make fun of yourself or your culture. This can certainly be used, for example, if you're delivering a speech at a family wedding or a school event. However, once again, ensure that your humor brings more laughter than resentment.

4. Practice Extensively

Experiment with the jokes you intend to use in your speech when conversing with friends. However, avoid mentioning that you're practicing to see their authentic reactions. In this context, practicing in front of a mirror may not be as effective, as it might make you self-conscious, and that's a hurdle you should overcome.

Timing can either make or break your entire plan. Learn how to pace your speech, when to pause, and how to continue speaking. All of these aspects are usually accompanied by feeling comfortable with yourself. Often, you may talk rapidly and repeat yourself when feeling high levels of stress, so it's essential to overcome this to ensure you and your audience enjoy your speech.

5. Don't Try too Hard

If you believe what you're about to say isn't funny, it's likely not, often because this type of humor doesn't align with your personal taste. Of course, sometimes the unexpected can make the audience laugh, but that's a different story. So, make sure not to try too hard and let the humor come naturally.

Some comedians fail to get the audience reaction they desire, either because they try too hard or because they are dealing with the wrong people. So, engage with your audience and understand their responses. Be prepared to improvise if you think what you're saying isn't working. Lastly, don't overdo the humor; adding just a little can often be more effective, as moderation is key.