Humorous Openings
Humorous openings are appreciated by audiences and a great way to create immediate rapport. A humorous opening is even better when the audience least expects it-for example, all of you who deliver technical presentations. Just because you have specific, technical information you don’t get a pass on not boring your audience to death 
You know who you are!
For example, I recently was delivering a presentation on search engine optimization (SEO) for websites and blogs. This can be a technical presentation but it doesn’t have to bore the bejesus out of the audience. When I started my presentation I mentioned the President of the Association, who was sitting in the front row
I went on to say how “Pat” shared with me that she had a side business and had made an additional $75,000 dollars last year-every time a cell phone went off in one of her presentations, she confiscated the phone and sold it on eBay!
While this is not any earth shattering humor-the audience loved it because they did not expect it from me and I could tell they were at ease with me. More importantly, the President of the association was flattered that I made a point to remember her name and include her in the presentation. I have mentioned before the magic of drawing your audience into your presentation and always introduce yourself to the front row before you start your presentation!
For those of you who give more technical presentations please consider developing a humor file. If you use humor in your presentations your audiences will love you and I guarantee that your humorous presentation will be more memorable and repeatable-these are very good things if you wish to continue to be hired!! Humor just doesn’t happen and you may find the need to hire a coach to inject some humor in your presentations-this is a good investment! My speaker buddy, Steve Rizzo, spends the first several minutes with nothing but humor before he goes forward with his presentation. He has found that once an audience embraces you and your humor they are much more receptive to your presentation.
So, for all you CEO’s and Propeller Heads who are boring your audiences to death…stop it! Use humor in your presentations and we will laugh and learn with you!