Advice Challenge: 'Tell a Joke'

How about I start with a joke?

Speakers we're coaching sometimes come to us with this idea. Some even say they've read advice like this:

The beauty of a canned joke is that it has withstood the test of time. For someone just starting to add humor, this is the best technique.

We beg to differ. Here’s why.

If you've heard it before, your audience likely has too.

The joke you heard for the first time last week may be old news for many in your audience.

Our least favorite is the joke used to "warm up" an audience that has nothing to do with the speaker's topic. There are any number of reasons (keep reading) that this tactic will leave your audience cold instead. You're better off to open strong with something relevant to your message that's original to you.

Telling a joke well isn't easy.

A joke may be hard for you to deliver. You may sound inauthentic, because these aren't your words. And if, at first, the audience thinks they ARE your words—they may feel duped when you deliver a canned punch line.

Then, there's the pain of a joke poorly told, whether due to bad timing or getting the wording wrong—both more likely to occur when you're already feeling the stress of public speaking.

"Never begin a speech with a joke. Not even if it’s funny. Nothing betrays the amateur faster."
– Reid Buckley in his book "Strictly Speaking"

There are better ways to add humor.

Your stories, your experiences, your mistakes and misunderstandings—these can be much richer sources for humor that help you make a point, engage your audience, and bring some welcome levity.

Here are a few reasons to prefer humor that comes from your personal experience:

The material is fresh for the audience, because it’s yours.
You will tell it better, because you experienced it.
Self-deprecating humor tends to be safe, in addition to making you likeable and relateable.
You can tell stories that are essential to your speech, rather than jokes that feel tacked on.

Of course, some speakers have success with jokes. As we say in our presentation workshops, speaking is an art. Absolutes do not apply.

But, if you're thinking of opening with a canned joke, we hope you give it careful consideration. We're willing to bet you can find an original, better way to amuse your audience.