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Digg it UP - Incorporate Humor in Your Next Speech
The Single Most Important Aspect of Your Career
Do you want to get a promotion and make a lot more money? Do you want to be recognized for your hard work? Do you want to keep your job and not be downsized? In fact, do you want to know the secret to be Upsized? The most important skill you will ever learn is how to study and understand Office Politics.Office politics play a very important role in whether you get a promotion, an award, the job that you want, or the compensation that you receive. Virtually every aspect of your professional career is influenced by social politics. The proper understanding of the social “food chain” in your work space is essential for your professional success and financial well-being.To understand why the organization works and
he story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make. Do you want to get a promotion and make a lot more money? Do you want to be recognized for your hard work? Do you want to keep your job and not be downsized? In fact, do you want to know the secret to be Upsized? The most important skill you will ever learn is how to study and understand Office Politics.Office politics play a very important role in whether you get a promotion, an award, the job that you want, or the compensation that you receive. Virtually every aspect of your professional career is influenced by social politics. The proper understanding of the social “food chain” in your work space is essential for your professional success and financial well-being.To understand why the organization works and
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a sin
Telecommuting Idea: Online Tutor
There are a lot of kids from 1st grade to college that could use some help with their schoolwork. Parents are often not able to give them the help and attention they need to get them back on track on a particular subject. A tutor is the perfect solution.While there are many people who will tutor locally, in the student’s home, or their own house, the idea of an online tutor is still fairly new. If you have been tutoring kids in your neighborhood, taking your tutoring job online to attract more clients may be a great idea.If you haven’t worked as a tutor, but this sounds like an interesting idea, take a look at your skills. Are there particular subjects in school that you excelled at?You will need a website to p
There are a lot of kids from 1st grade to college that could use some help with their schoolwork. Parents are often not able to give them the help and attention they need to get them back on track on a particular subject. A tutor is the perfect solution.While there are many people who will tutor locally, in the student’s home, or their own house, the idea of an online tutor is still fairly new. If you have been tutoring kids in your neighborhood, taking your tutoring job online to attract more clients may be a great idea.If you haven’t worked as a tutor, but this sounds like an interesting idea, take a look at your skills. Are there particular subjects in school that you excelled at?You will need a website to p
Some speakers say, “I could never use humor in my speech; I just don’t feel comfortable with it.” I believe that anyone can use humor and that it is a valuable tool in speaking. Appropriate humor relaxes an audience and makes it feel more comfortable with you as the speaker; humor can bring attention to the point you are making; and humor will help the audience better remember your point. It can break down barriers so that the audience is more receptive to your ideas.
First, let me make it easy for you to use humor. The best and most comfortable place to find humor for a speech is from your own personal experience. Think back on an embarrassing moment that you might have thought not funny at the time. Now that you can laugh at the experience, you understand the old adage "Humor is simply tragedy separated by time and space." Or think of a conversation that was funny. Remember the punch line and use it in your speech. Probably the least risky use of humor is a cartoon. The cartoon is separate from you and if people don't laugh, you don't feel responsible. (Be sure to secure permission to use it.) You're not trying to be a comedian; you just want to make it easy for people to pay attention and to help them remember your point.
Here are some suggestions on using humor to make your next speech have more impact.
1. Make sure the humor is funny to you. If you don’t laugh or smile at the cartoon, joke, pun, one-liner, story, or other forms of humor, then you certainly cannot expect an audience to do so. A key to using humor is only using humor that makes you laugh or smile.
2. Before using humor in your speech, try it out with small groups of people. Do they seem to enjoy it? Even if your experimental group does not laugh or smile initially, don’t give up on the humor, because the problem might be in the way you are delivering the joke or quip. I often use this line in talking about the importance of listening. “We are
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
3. Make sure the humor relates to the point you are making. Do not use humor that is simply there to make the audience laugh. The humor should tie in with some aspect of your speech. For example, I tell about my experience of getting braces at age 46 and how difficult it was for me to get used to the wires and rubber bands in my mouth. After I tell the story I make the point that you may have not had the braces problem I had, but we all have challenges in communicating well, and what we want to look at today are ways of making it easier for us to be more effective in speaking. The audience enjoys the story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make.
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a sin
Small Business Checking Accounts
ACCOUNTING AND BILLINGCHECK BOOKSWe recommend that you maintain a business checking account in addition to a small business credit card merchant account so that you can take credit cards from purchasers. This way you will know exactly how much is going into your merchant account and how much of your volume percentage is being done through credit card usage. You should shoot for 50-60% credit card sales and debit cards. If you are an owner/operator, you may not be as concerned with this number.However, if you are an owner of many locations or units, this percentage is relatively important. One reason is because these transactions are the most traceable. There is no way for employees to steal this money. Be
"Humor is simply tragedy separated by time and space." Or think of a conversation that was funny. Remember the punch line and use it in your speech. Probably the least risky use of humor is a cartoon. The cartoon is separate from you and if people don't laugh, you don't feel responsible. (Be sure to secure permission to use it.) You're not trying to be a comedian; you just want to make it easy for people to pay attention and to help them remember your point.ACCOUNTING AND BILLINGCHECK BOOKSWe recommend that you maintain a business checking account in addition to a small business credit card merchant account so that you can take credit cards from purchasers. This way you will know exactly how much is going into your merchant account and how much of your volume percentage is being done through credit card usage. You should shoot for 50-60% credit card sales and debit cards. If you are an owner/operator, you may not be as concerned with this number.However, if you are an owner of many locations or units, this percentage is relatively important. One reason is because these transactions are the most traceable. There is no way for employees to steal this money. Be
Here are some suggestions on using humor to make your next speech have more impact.
1. Make sure the humor is funny to you. If you don’t laugh or smile at the cartoon, joke, pun, one-liner, story, or other forms of humor, then you certainly cannot expect an audience to do so. A key to using humor is only using humor that makes you laugh or smile.
2. Before using humor in your speech, try it out with small groups of people. Do they seem to enjoy it? Even if your experimental group does not laugh or smile initially, don’t give up on the humor, because the problem might be in the way you are delivering the joke or quip. I often use this line in talking about the importance of listening. “We are
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
3. Make sure the humor relates to the point you are making. Do not use humor that is simply there to make the audience laugh. The humor should tie in with some aspect of your speech. For example, I tell about my experience of getting braces at age 46 and how difficult it was for me to get used to the wires and rubber bands in my mouth. After I tell the story I make the point that you may have not had the braces problem I had, but we all have challenges in communicating well, and what we want to look at today are ways of making it easier for us to be more effective in speaking. The audience enjoys the story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make.
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a sin
Media Coverage: 5 Myths, 5 Musts
It’s true – media coverage is just about the best exposure your business can get. High impact for low cost. An article about your business generates greater readership and credibility than an ad or brochure or other sales tool. Period.I urge you to incorporate the media into your overall marketing strategy. It’s a no-lose proposition. That said, I know that cracking the crusty exterior of the media can feel rather daunting for the uninitiated. I come from the media side of the fence – a degree in journalism and career history of working for publishing companies – so my perspective includes what I know firsthand of what goes on behind the scenes.As an editor, I was always thrilled to receive a solid story idea. Thanks
A key to using humor is only using humor that makes you laugh or smile. It’s true – media coverage is just about the best exposure your business can get. High impact for low cost. An article about your business generates greater readership and credibility than an ad or brochure or other sales tool. Period.I urge you to incorporate the media into your overall marketing strategy. It’s a no-lose proposition. That said, I know that cracking the crusty exterior of the media can feel rather daunting for the uninitiated. I come from the media side of the fence – a degree in journalism and career history of working for publishing companies – so my perspective includes what I know firsthand of what goes on behind the scenes.As an editor, I was always thrilled to receive a solid story idea. Thanks
2. Before using humor in your speech, try it out with small groups of people. Do they seem to enjoy it? Even if your experimental group does not laugh or smile initially, don’t give up on the humor, because the problem might be in the way you are delivering the joke or quip. I often use this line in talking about the importance of listening. “We are
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
geared to a talk society. Someone said, ‘The only reason we listen is so we can talk next!'” When I first tried that line, people did not smile; but I worked on the timing so that I paused and smiled after “listen” and that seemed to work. I was rushing through the punch line and did not give people time to be prepared for the humorous part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.
3. Make sure the humor relates to the point you are making. Do not use humor that is simply there to make the audience laugh. The humor should tie in with some aspect of your speech. For example, I tell about my experience of getting braces at age 46 and how difficult it was for me to get used to the wires and rubber bands in my mouth. After I tell the story I make the point that you may have not had the braces problem I had, but we all have challenges in communicating well, and what we want to look at today are ways of making it easier for us to be more effective in speaking. The audience enjoys the story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make.
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a sin
What Ever Happened To Customer Service?
Does the newspaper delivery person throw your newspaper into a puddle of water?Does the grocery store clerk smash your bread into a shopping bag?Does the fast-food person give you cold fries with your order?Does the retail clerk chat on her cell phone instead of offering assistance?Does the repair man make you wait weeks to fix a household problem?Does the auto mechanic charge you an outrageous price for an oil change?Does the airline representative shrug their shoulders when your luggage is missing?Does the eBay seller get annoyed when you ask a question about their auction item?Does Anyone Care???If you've experienced any of these unfortunate situations, then you know
part. It took practice to get comfortable with the piece of humor. Only use humor in a speech after you are comfortable telling it from memory and have tested it.Does the newspaper delivery person throw your newspaper into a puddle of water?Does the grocery store clerk smash your bread into a shopping bag?Does the fast-food person give you cold fries with your order?Does the retail clerk chat on her cell phone instead of offering assistance?Does the repair man make you wait weeks to fix a household problem?Does the auto mechanic charge you an outrageous price for an oil change?Does the airline representative shrug their shoulders when your luggage is missing?Does the eBay seller get annoyed when you ask a question about their auction item?Does Anyone Care???If you've experienced any of these unfortunate situations, then you know
3. Make sure the humor relates to the point you are making. Do not use humor that is simply there to make the audience laugh. The humor should tie in with some aspect of your speech. For example, I tell about my experience of getting braces at age 46 and how difficult it was for me to get used to the wires and rubber bands in my mouth. After I tell the story I make the point that you may have not had the braces problem I had, but we all have challenges in communicating well, and what we want to look at today are ways of making it easier for us to be more effective in speaking. The audience enjoys the story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make.
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a sin
How To Start a Contractor Referrer Service
Contractor referrer service is now a very profitable money - Making business online. But a lot of people lack the knowledge of profiting in it, and so are not making much in it.If you want to know how to start a contractor referrer service, take a cue from a 14 year - old girl that is making thousands of dollars every week in her special - niche area of interest.In her own contractor referrer services, she publishes interesting, original information about the Caribbean island of anguilla she continues to publish new content, one page per week (school is her full - time job).She has a successful e - zine with over 1000 subscribers, and her traffic grows and business grows, build upon its own
he story but also remembers the point that I'm making. If you don’t tie your humor to your presentation, the audience may like the humor, but will wonder what point you are attempting to make. Contractor referrer service is now a very profitable money - Making business online. But a lot of people lack the knowledge of profiting in it, and so are not making much in it.If you want to know how to start a contractor referrer service, take a cue from a 14 year - old girl that is making thousands of dollars every week in her special - niche area of interest.In her own contractor referrer services, she publishes interesting, original information about the Caribbean island of anguilla she continues to publish new content, one page per week (school is her full - time job).She has a successful e - zine with over 1000 subscribers, and her traffic grows and business grows, build upon its own
4. Begin with something short. A starting point might be to summarize a cartoon and give the caption as your humor. A thought-provoking yet clever line about a point you are making is another way to get started. For example, when I talk about creativity and getting out of your comfort zone, a line I found that worked well was, “Orville Wright did not have a pilot’s license.” In your reading, look for lines that make you smile; consider how they might be used in your next speech. Be careful about launching into a long humorous story--audiences are quick to forgive a single line that may not be funny, but they do not have much patience with a long anecdote that isn’t worth the time. So start out with brief bits of humor.
5. When possible, choose humor that comes from people you interact with. You do not have to worry about people having heard it before, and you will feel more comfortable with what has happened to you. Find such experiences by looking for a humorous line or situation. For example, I was making a bank deposit recently at a drive-in window. When I asked to make a second deposit, the teller said solemnly, “I’m sorry, sir, but you’ll have to go around the bank a second time to make a second deposit.” We both laughed and I may have a line to work into a speech. If you have small children, listen for something they say that might be funny to an audience as well. Art Linkletter made a great living on the notion that “Kids say the darndest things.”
6. Don’t preview by saying, “Let me tell you a funny story.” Let the audience decide for themselves. Look pleasant and smile as you launch into your funny line, but if no one smiles or laughs then just move on as though you meant for it to be serious. This approach takes the pressure off as you relate the humor. Remember you are not a comedian entertaining the audience; you are a serious speaker seeking to help the audience remember and pay attention by using humor as a tool.
Humor is simply another way of making a point with your audience, and it can help you be a more effective speaker. Look at humor as a tool in improving your speech in the manner of attention devices, smooth transitions, and solid structure. Remember, “A smile is a curve that straightens out a lot of things.”
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