Business presentations can often be dull, but humour has the power to transform them. Emmy-winning comedy writer and keynote speaker Beth Sherman breaks down how humour builds trust, engages audiences, and makes messages more memorable.
This toolkit from Beth Sherman explores why humour is essential in business communication, where to strategically place it for maximum impact, and how to find the right kind of humour—without forcing jokes.
By using authentic observations and real-life experiences, you can create an emotional connection with your audience and ensure they stay engaged from start to finish.
Key Takeaways from Beth Sherman:
- Use Humour to Build Trust: Humour triggers laughter, which creates an emotional connection—a key building block of trust. In business presentations, trust helps audiences engage, listen longer, and take action.
- Strategically Place Humour: The best places to add humour are the beginning (to set a positive tone), the middle (to re-engage wandering minds), and the end (to leave a lasting, memorable impression).
- Truth is Funny: You don’t need to force jokes—authentic, real-life observations and honest experiences are naturally funny. Use truthful stories to connect quickly and deeply with your audience and make your message stick.
Free Resource:
Want to Add More Humour to Your Talks?
Grab “A Comedian’s Guide to Humour for Speakers” – a free 15-page PDF packed with expert tips, plus 10 conversation prompts to help you connect with anyone.
About Beth Sherman:
Beth Sherman is a comedian, and seven-time Emmy-winning Hollywood comedy writer who’s written for the biggest shows in American television, including Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, Ellen, and the Academy Awards.
In 2023, she was nominated for a 2023 Writers Guild Award for the Netflix comedy special, Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration.
As a comedian, she’s performed at comedy clubs across the United States, as well as combat outposts and forward operating bases in Iraq. She currently works internationally as a presentation coach and keynote speaker on connection and engagement.
