Humor is more than just entertainment. It’s a proven way to connect with your audience. A well-placed laugh builds a sense of closeness, eases tension, and helps people remember your message. A 2020 report from the Harvard Business Review found that humor can make speakers seem more confident and capable, even in formal settings. It creates comfort and boosts engagement.
Humor serves as a therapeutic tool in public speaking. It cuts through stiffness, keeps the energy up, and makes complex ideas easier to understand. That doesn’t mean your speech needs to be filled with jokes. But learning how to add humor to a speech at the right time can make your delivery stronger and more memorable.
Before adding any humor to your speech, think about who will be listening. What makes one group laugh might leave another confused—or worse, offended.
If you’re speaking at a professional event, you’ll want humor that feels relevant but respectful. A joke that kills at a casual networking mixer may not land the same way in a corporate boardroom. Are your listeners mostly executives? Students? Industry insiders? Humor works best when it reflects the shared experience of your audience. For example, making light of industry jargon can be a safe, relatable way to build connections in niche environments.
Pushing boundaries might get a few laughs, but it also carries risk. Avoid humor that could be interpreted as targeting specific groups, using stereotypes, or commenting on sensitive topics like politics, religion, or physical appearance. What you want is inclusive, observational humor—something that invites laughter, not controversy. Instead of aiming for “shock value,” focus on levity that builds goodwill.
Adding humor isn’t about turning your speech into a stand-up routine. It’s about using wit and warmth strategically. These techniques offer reliable ways to incorporate humor into a speech, no matter your speaking style.
To add humor to your speech, consider sharing stories about your mistakes or awkward experiences. These anecdotes reveal your vulnerability and make you more relatable to the audience. Imagine, for instance, accidentally locking yourself out of a hotel room in a bathrobe before a major presentation, or spilling coffee on your notes just before stepping on stage—these are valuable comedic moments.
Their humor stems from their authenticity and relatability. Self-deprecating humor is particularly effective in professional environments, where a touch of humility can be very impactful.
Surprising your audience with an unexpected turn of phrase or punchline can make a message more engaging. For example, if you're giving a talk about productivity, you might say, "I wanted to talk about time management... but I couldn't find the time." These light, clever moments create mental engagement without distracting from your overall message.
The same joke can either get a laugh or fall flat, depending entirely on how it’s delivered. Timing is everything. A brief pause before the punchline creates anticipation, while a short silence after gives the audience space to react. Even scripted humor should feel natural, not robotic.
To make your timing feel effortless, practice your speech out loud. Record yourself, watch it back, and pay attention to rhythm and pacing. With enough rehearsal, your delivery will sound smooth and spontaneous.
Puns and clever turns of phrase can lighten the mood when used in moderation. For example, if you're speaking to marketers, a line like “We thought outside the box—and realized we’d forgotten the lid” adds personality. Just be cautious: too many puns can feel corny or forced. Sprinkle them in strategically rather than relying on them as your main humor vehicle.
Exaggeration can be effective, especially when it underscores a real point. If you’re talking about how complicated user interfaces can be, you might say, “It took me three clicks, two browser refreshes, and one emotional breakdown to find the ‘submit’ button.” It’s funny because it’s exaggerated, but the audience still recognizes the struggle.
A callback is when you refer back to an earlier joke later in your speech. It creates a sense of rhythm and rewards your audience’s attention. Let’s say you made a funny comment about your morning coffee addiction early on—bringing it up again during your conclusion gives your speech a satisfying thread of humor.
In live or virtual presentations, visuals offer a whole new channel for humor. A well-placed image, funny chart label, or ironic slide title can support your spoken jokes or add a layer of dry wit. Just be sure the visual elements support your message. You’re still there to inform or inspire, not put on a comedy show.
Some of the most memorable speeches in recent memory owe their impact to well-placed humor. Sir Ken Robinson’s TED Talk on creativity in education is a classic example. He discusses serious topics like outdated educational systems but disarms his audience with quick wit and personal anecdotes.
Another example is Brené Brown, whose talks on vulnerability use laughter to ease into emotionally complex ideas. In both cases, humor isn’t a gimmick—it’s a strategic tool that supports the speaker’s authority and message.
These examples reinforce a critical point: you don’t need to be a comedian. You just need to understand timing, tone, and relevance.
Memorable speeches that used humor effectively:
This list helps illustrate the diversity of speaking styles and how humor enhances—not overshadows—their messages.
Trying too hard is the fastest way to make humor awkward. A common mistake is forcing jokes that don’t match the tone or subject matter. This often feels awkward and can make the speaker seem out of touch. Others rely on outdated punchlines or pack their speech with unrelated jokes, weakening the main message. Improvising without practice is another risk—what feels funny in your head might not land in front of an audience.
How to avoid these mistakes:
Even the best jokes rely on strong delivery. A teleprompter app like Teleprompter.com is a tool that helps you rehearse with precision, ensuring your humor feels natural and well-timed. You can add cues to your script and refine them as you practice instead of guessing where to pause or emphasize.
Here’s how a teleprompter app helps sharpen your comedic delivery:
With these features, a teleprompter app becomes more than just a script reader. It becomes your timing coach, helping you connect with your audience while keeping your delivery smooth and confident.
Knowing how to add humor to a speech isn't about telling jokes—it's about connecting with people. Humor breaks down barriers, makes messages stick, and invites the audience into your story. By focusing on authenticity, timing, and relevance, any speaker can bring a bit of laughter into their message without feeling fake or forced.
Want your delivery to land every time? Get the Teleprompter.com app to practice your speech. It’s built for speakers who want to lead with clarity, confidence—and yes, a little humor too. Sign up now!
Focus on real stories, light exaggeration, and relatable humor. You don’t need a punchline—just a human moment that makes people smile.
Self-deprecating humor, workplace observations, and witty turns of phrase tend to be safe and effective. Avoid sarcasm or edgy topics.
Absolutely. Writing jokes into your script helps control timing and delivery. Use a teleprompter app to rehearse and refine your flow.
Keep going. Humor is subjective. If a joke doesn’t land, don’t draw attention to it. Shift smoothly back into your content and try again later.
Yes, if they enhance your message. A funny chart, image, or title can add a layer of humor without interrupting your narrative.
