4 Speech Techniques Learned from Comedy
Comedians are judged about every 12 seconds–so they really learn how to be successful public speakers! The Public Speaker explores 4 techniques you can learn from the kings and queens of comedy.
Lisa B. Marshall
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4 Speech Techniques Learned from Comedy
I love comedy. I even signed up for a comedy workshop recently, but even before that, I’ve been studying comedians for a long time. Not only do I like to laugh, I also enjoy learning from masters of the stage. >
I strongly believe that comedians are the kings and queens of public speaking. They spend years learning their craft, so that they can consistently engage audiences and make them laugh–and they do this all without the help of PowerPoint, notes, or a lectern! With that in mind, here are 4 tips I’ve learned from comedy royalty:
Tip #1: Pause for Effect
Comedians are masters of the pause, because pauses are what tell the audience when to laugh. In presentations, pauses cause the audience to pay more attention and can emphasize emotion.
Specifically, pauses can help us to build anticipation. Rodney Dangerfield let his audience know when he was about to deliver one of his hilarious self-deprecating lines by pausing after saying, “I get no respect”–and we would anticipate the joke to follow. The suspense helped in the entertainment value of the experience.
Just as important are the pauses after an important point is made. Give your audience a brief moment to reflect on and digest your words. If you rush, the audience might not laugh or get the point. Knowing when and for how long to pause takes practice! (By the way, that’s why there are so many open mike nights for comedians, so they get lots of chances try out new bits or hone classic ones.)
A pause is also sometimes used to switch from one topic to another. Speakers should always pause between stories or ideas; this helps to prepare the listeners for a change in subjects. Don’t rush through the transitions.
Pauses can also help you reduce your disfluencies. Certainly a pause is preferable to “filler” words such as “anyway” or “umm.” Overuse of these words conveys nervousness, while strategically placed pauses project confidence.
Knowing when to pause and how long to pause takes practice, so experiment with pauses—particularly if you are attempting to add humor to your talks. Use your pauses wisely and you will keep your audience’s interest.
Tip #2: Practice, Practice, Then Practice Even More
Being consistent with your delivery and receiving a consistent, predictable response takes practice–a lot of practice. Comedians understand that getting up on stage and not getting a response is just as helpful as getting on stage and getting a response.
I still remember the first time I got a strong laugh from an audience. It was purely accidental. I always recorded my talks, so I listened back and repeated the same words to the very next audience–but I didn’t get a laugh. I was confused, so I kept trying.
I just kept modifying one small behavior–a longer pause before a certain word, a bigger gesture, a different word choice, etc.–until eventually, I was able to see which of these small changes had the greatest effect on the audience response.
So, the more time you spend studying your delivery, telling your stories, practicing timing, etc., the more you will be able to consistently create the response you want. Oh, and by the way–even if you don’t deliver the same material all the time, repeated practice of older material can help you to deliver new material better, too!
Tip #3: Know Your Audience
Comedians understand that engaging the crowd is one of the most important elements of their act. And they know the audience needs to be able to relate to them and their humor.
For example, comedy about living in LA is not going to be funny in NYC, just like comedy about being single isn’t going to be successful in a roomfull of married, middle-aged couples. Good comedians modify their material based on the each specific audience, in order to achieve the best result.
Every speaker should know who they’re addressing. For example, if you were a visitor at an elementary school talking about your profession on career day, you keep it simple, broad, and highly interactive. However, if you are speaking to a room full of colleagues, your talk is likely to be technical and specific. Take the time to understand and modify your presentations each time, so that you can effectively engage your audience.
Tip #4: Use Facial Expressions and Other Body Language
Some of the most powerful tools of engagement are your facial expressions and body language.
Comedians understand that even something as small as the raise of an eyebrow can cause the audience to laugh. Think about how your facial expressions and body movement can enhance your talk: if you want to be funny, think about making an expression, gesture, or movement that is opposite to your words. The surprise of the unexpected is exactly what makes it funny.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the one thing I don’t want you to learn from a comedian–and that is to start with a joke! I’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating: don’t start a speech with a joke. Unless you are a natural comedian, for most speakers, a related personal story is better.
Nevertheless, I believe one of the best ways to become a better speaker is to watch comedians and model what they do to capture an audience, and command attention.
This is Lisa B. Marshall, Helping you maximize sales, manage perceptions, and enhance leadership through keynotes, workshops, books, and online courses. Passionate about communication; your success is my business. If you want even more success in your life, I invite you to listen to my other podcast, Smart Talk: Inspiring Conversations with Exceptional People.
Photos of mic on stage and comedian on stage courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
About the Author
Lisa B. Marshall Lisa holds masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication. She’s the author of Smart Talk: The Public Speaker’s Guide to Success in Every Situation, as well as Ace Your Interview, Powerful Presenter, and Expert Presenter. Her work has been featured in CBS Money Watch, Ragan.com, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. Her institutional clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche.