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Author:
Tom Antion

Why should I bother using humor in my public speaking? Can't I just deliver my information and sit down? You sure can and that's what most people do. The problem is that most people are not effective public speakers. They are nighty nite, snooze inducing, say your prayers, hit the sack, unlicensed hypnotists. They are ZZZZZs presenters. They might be experts in their field and be able to recite hours and hours of information on their topic, but is that effective?

According to Bob Orben, Special Assistant to President Gerald Ford and Former Director of the White House Speech writing Department, 'Business executives and political leaders have embraced humor because humor works. Humor has gone from being an admirable part of a leader's character to a mandatory one.'

A survey of top executives who earned more than $250,000 per year was conducted by a large executive search firm. The survey found that these executives believed their communication skills were the number one factor that carried them to the top. Mastering the use of humor and other high-explosion techniques puts a fine polish on your public speaking skills which can help propel you to the top of the speaking profession.

There are many benefits you can derive from using humor when speaking. Keep in mind that these benefits only help you reach your ultimate purpose for making the presentation. They are not purposes themselves unless, of course, you are only interested in entertaining.

Using Humor in Public Speaking helps you do the following:

* HELPS YOU CONNECT WITH THE AUDIENCE.

* MAKES YOU MORE LIKEABLE.

* AROUSES INTEREST.

* KEEPS ATTENTION.

* HELPS EMPHASIZE POINTS AND IDEAS.

* DISARMS HOSTILITY.

* OVERCOMES OVERLY FLATTERING INTRODUCTIONS.

* GETS YOUR POINT ACROSS WITHOUT CREATING HOSTILITY.

* HELPS RELATE FACTS AND FIGURES.

* MAKES A POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

* SHOWS THAT YOU DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY.

* HELPS PAINT PICTURES IN THE AUDIENCE'S MIND.

* MAKES INFORMATION MORE MEMORABLE.

* LIGHTENS UP HEAVY MATERIAL.

* YOU WILL BE ASKED BACK.

* YOUR SPEAKING WILL GET YOU HIGHER EVALUATIONS OR MORE SALES.

* YOU WILL MAKE MORE MONEY.

* YOU WILL MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY.

This is my favorite benefit. I get great satisfaction from knowing that I have brightened someone else's life. I had an executive come up to me after one of my humor seminars and say, 'You opened up a whole new world for me.' I almost cried right on the spot. I'll never forget it.

Copyright © 1998 - 2005 Advanced Public Speaking Institute

Tom Antion provides entertaining speeches and educational seminars. He is the ultimate entrepreneur, having owned many businesses BEFORE graduating college. Tom is the author of the best selling presentation skills book "Wake 'em Up Business Presentations" and "Click: The Ultimate Guide to Electronic Marketing." It is important to Tom that his knowledge be not only absorbed, but enjoyed. This is why he delivers his speeches laced with great humor and hysterical jokes. Tom has addressed more than 87 different industries and is thoroughly committed to his clients' needs. http://www.antion.com

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| Article Keywords: Professional Speaker

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Professional Speaker... Public Speaking: Acronyms and Abbreviations You can use acronyms and abbreviations as a form of humor during a public speaking engagement. An acronym is basically a form of abbreviation where the letters of the abbreviation form a new word, i.e., HUD means the Department of (H)ousing and (U)rban (D)evelopment. There are many acronyms and abbreviations that are universally known such as the IRS and the CIA. There are many more that are unique to your audience. All you have to do to make them humorous for use in your public speaking engagement is to change one or more of the words that go with your well-known abbreviation or acronym. Here are some examples: * IQ Idiot Quotient * CPI Consumers Poorhouse Indicator * IRA Individual Rest-in-Peace Account * TQM Totaled Quality Management With a little thought, it is very easy to customize acronyms and abbreviations to your audience. Now, here are some examples and explanations from a custom public speaking engagement I did for a hotel franchise: OCC in the hotel industry means Occupancy Rate. I changed it to Oh! C'mon Clinton because certain taxes were being proposed by President Clinton that would affect their industry. I always try to connect with the audience by mentioning the topics that are foremost on their minds. This gives you the greatest chance of succeeding with an item of humor. ADR to hoteliers, means Average Daily Rate. This was changed to All Dated Rooms which is something no hotelier wants to hear. This would mean a fortune would have to be spent to upgrade and modernize the rooms. IOC was the name of the group I was addressing (International Operator's Council). This was changed to I'm Ordering Chinese and I'm Out of Coffee. These phrases aren't particularly funny in themselves. They were coupled, however, with the fact that these people had...