tickle the funny bone

i like to read The Straits Times recruit section front or back page. It always has some articles that teaches you something e.g. HR matters, self-improvements, public speaking, etc.. Just anything that makes you a better person!

Today, i read this article titled 'Tickle the funny bone'. Teach u to use humour as your brand image and the audience will always remember you.

Use wisely the following 5 pts:

1. Use a signature catch-phrase. Most people recognize phrases or slogans and automatically think of the creators when they hear them. e.g. "Just Do it!" Nike.

2. Tell a funny story. Think of something funny that happened to a celebrity or business leader that was widely reported. Your audience will connect with the story and with you.

3. Use a tag line. Humorist Frank King's tag line is "Make a living, not a difference". Mine is "lead by not leading, teach by not teaching". ;-)

4. Create a character. Some speakers create a character outside their real self. One well known humorist George Campbell's "Joe Malarkey, the worst motivational speaker in America". His act is classic. George's promotional material says that Joe (his imagined character) touches on affirmation, goal-setting, relationship skills, and dress-for-success techniques. They're able to blend them seamlessly into their presentation.

5. Adopt a unique format. Once, a speaker used a funny presentation by showing photos of real signs. He uses it as a comic device through-out his talk and to illustrate his serious points regarding marketing he's teaching.. And this technique is unique to him today! ;-)

So, if you are a speaker or to make presentation, consider these five options for creating your own humour brand! ;-)