{"id":8164,"date":"2025-11-07T23:58:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T04:58:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thecomedybook.com\/?p=8164"},"modified":"2025-11-07T23:58:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T04:58:31","slug":"humorous-speakers-its-more-than-telling-jokes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecomedybook.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/07\/humorous-speakers-its-more-than-telling-jokes\/","title":{"rendered":"Humorous speakers \u2013 it\u2019s more than telling jokes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi Dave \u2013 I do a lot of presentations through my job. These are specific to the industry, and I\u2019d like to start speaking at related conferences. I\u2019m not a stand-up comedian but know the importance of humor in getting my message across to an audience. Many of my friends think I am funny in an \u201cI Love Lucy\u201d kind of way\u2026 Which I suppose comes naturally. However, I am not sure how to release that side of me when I am giving a humorous presentation. Thanks \u2013 DB<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Not funny!<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Hey DB \u2013 When it comes to giving a humorous presentation – or performing as a comedian – the most important goal is to connect with your audience.<\/strong> That\u2019s the bottom line. If you don\u2019t connect, they won\u2019t listen.<\/p>\n

And one of the best ways to connect is to be yourself<\/strong> – to let your natural personality<\/strong> shine through.<\/p>\n

Let me explain\u2026<\/p>\n

Working comics know that stand-up is more than just telling jokes. Anyone can tell a joke, but to be successful, you have to show who you are on stage. Comics, agents, and bookers call it your comedy voice.<\/em> For speakers, I like to call it who you are on stage<\/em><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Look at legends like Rodney Dangerfield<\/strong> and Henny Youngman <\/strong>(and if you don\u2019t know these guys, brush up on your comedy history).<\/strong> Their personalities made their material unforgettable. They could deliver quick, clever one-liners, but what really sold those jokes was them<\/em> – their character, rhythm, and delivery.<\/p>\n

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Who? Me?<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

Fans could retell their jokes the next day at school or around the office water cooler, but the laughs were never quite the same. Why? Because they didn\u2019t have Rodney\u2019s hangdog face or Henny\u2019s sharp timing. Their personalities made the jokes work.<\/p>\n

Dangerfield\u2019s humor came from his self-deprecating style – \u201cI get no respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

Youngman was the wisecracker – \u201cTake my wife\u2026 please!\u201d<\/p>\n

Without those distinct personalities, their jokes would have been forgettable.<\/p>\n

The same goes for humorous speakers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I often see speakers try to be \u201cfunny\u201d by tossing in a random joke they found online or by reworking an old one to fit their topic. They think this makes them a humorous speaker – but it usually comes across as forced or phony.<\/p>\n

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Yeah – you!<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

I\u2019ve seen it too many times: speakers hiding their natural personalities because they think being professional means being serious. That\u2019s fine if your goal is to be strictly informational – but if you want to be memorable, engaging, and genuinely funny, you have to bring your real self<\/strong> to the stage.<\/p>\n

So, your friends say you remind them of Lucille Ball.<\/strong> There\u2019s truth in that. I\u2019m sure you\u2019re not trying<\/em> to imitate Lucy – you just share some of her qualities naturally. That\u2019s part of your charm, and it\u2019s something you can use.<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to recreate her candy factory scene or hang off the side of a building to channel your inner Lucy. Her comedy wasn\u2019t just slapstick – it was also about timing, expression, and physical energy. Maybe it\u2019s the way you tell a story, use gestures, or react to a situation. Whatever it is, that\u2019s your version of Lucy – and that\u2019s what will connect with an audience.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the key:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t tell jokes. Tell stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you have stories or examples related to your topic that are naturally funny, lean into them. Use facial expressions, movement, and vocal variety. Keep it natural.<\/p>\n

And most importantly – use your personality.<\/strong><\/p>\n