I just had the opportunity to listen to a real master in the speaking industry, Lou Heckler (http://www.louheckler.com). Addressing other professional speakers on the topic of humor, he gave 3 important tips on developing a humorous story:
1) Reflection: What things have you seen or overheard that struck you as funny? Spend more time sitting and thinking about moments that have amused you.
2) Misdirection: How can you take your listeners down the path with you to that moment of the unexpected and then let them experience the derailment?
3) Connection: How will your audience relate to the experience? It will only be funny to them if they can personally identify with it.
Whether you’re a professional speaker, a CEO, a nurse, a volunteer—anyone can benefit from the ability to tell a funny story. It builds rapport, good will and a sense of camaraderie. (And of course, a sense of humor is one of the top qualities sought in a mate!)
Just yesterday my husband and I went to see a theatre production: Man 1, Bank 0, a one man show by Patrick Combs (http://www.man1bank0.com). His incredibly funny story draws audiences from coast to coast because it’s something almost all of us can relate to: wanting to see the underdog win in a battle with Corporate America (especially when it’s our bank!). His ability to take the obvious, misdirect the audience and then connect with them on a what-is-most-personal-is-most-universal level is what makes his story such a hysterical success.
Take Lou’s advice: reflect, misdirect and connect. And then drop me a line and tell me your story! (Thanks, Lou!)
