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Question: I've seen you perform many times at New Wine Church
in Fullerton, CA. Your act is always so funny and each time your
material is new and fresh. I've wondered, though, when you perform
in other places, is you act always so clean? -
Steven Maxwell, Anaheim, CA
Answer: Thank you for the compliments, Steve. Yes, my
material is always squeaky-clean anywhere I go. That's what I find
funny and what I enjoy myself. Being a headliner I'm always
scheduled to go on last. When I perform in a comedy club the acts
before me are sometimes on the foul side but I have no problem
following them because funny is funny. If they ever have to follow
me, oh boy... their language makes them look rather silly and out of
place.
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Question: How do you determine what is clean comedy?
- Susan Sullivan, Tampa, FL
Answer: TV clean is different than corporate clean. Corporate
clean should include no use of profanity, drug material, or sex.
Nothing offensive about race, gender, nationality, people's
appearance, or anything that would prevent anyone in the audience
from having a good time. Lastly, anything that comes out of the body
is not funny.
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Question: I'm worried I might hire a comedian for our
corporate event and their humor might not be appropriate. In the
past I've been told an act was clean and that didn't turn out to be
the case. What can I do about that? - TK, Newport
Beach, CA
Answer: One of the best things to do is ask to see a DVD of
the performer's act. If the video's off color it's a sure bet their
act will be, too. Don't accept a performer who's video is off color
but says he can also work clean. That almost always turns out not to
be the case.
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Question: How important is lighting? -
Donald Hanson, Cardiff, CA
Answer: Though a good comedian can work in any situation,
lighting is very important and something in a show that is often
overlooked. The ideal situation is lots of light on the performer so
he stands out and you can see his expressions, and darker in the
audience so they feel comfortable laughing and less inhibited.
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Question: I'm nervous because I have to present something to
my company for the first time. Do you have any tips?
- Albert Alton, Gardena, CA
Answer: Be fully prepared which will make you more confident.
Be in the moment and aware of your surroundings. You want to know
the purpose of your speech before you get up there. Who is the
audience you're talking to? What is the relevance to them at this
moment? Instead of focusing on how well you want to do, instead
concentrate on the points you want to get across. Be excited about
what you want to convey rather than what people will think of you.
This will help take some of your nervousness away and allow you to
put more energy into your speech.
You should also practice your speech out loud beforehand visualizing
what you're talking about and your audience. This allows you to be
more familiar with your material and lets you to break out of it if
you need to address something further or answer a question. Always
love your audience, and even when practicing, visualize your
audience in a warm way. Don't be shy on your performance day, rather
don't hold back and let your feelings about what you're delivering
come out.
Finally, plan ahead what you're going to be wearing. If a shirt
needs to be taken to the cleaners get that done early. Have your
clothes ready when you need them so you won't be frustrated on the
day of your performance. It's important to dress appropriately for
the event, but also make sure the clothes you choose will be ones
you'll feel comfortable in. You don't want to give a speech in a
pair of shoes that are killing your feet or feeling like you're
underdressed for the occasion.
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Question: How am I going to memorize what I am going to say?
- Patti Ericson, Las Vegas, NV
Answer: There are a lot of approaches to this. You can write
out what you're going to say word for word. Then put your notes on a
podium. I would underline, print darker, or make a heading of the
key words. You don't want to bury your head in your notes. You need
to rehearse so you don't need to look at your pages the entire time.
Rehearse several days ahead and review, rather than just try to get
your whole speech in you mind the night before. On the Tonight Show
Jay Leno goes over his next night's monolog as soon as he's
completed his show. He then reviews it again the next day before he
delivers it. You'll retain more this way. Also, arranging your
material in a logical order (with a strong opening and a powerful
end) will help you remember what comes next.
Here's a trick. Make a visual picture of your first point (the
sillier the better). Then connect that picture with a visual picture
of your next point. For instance, if the first point is about a
shovel, picture a shovel. If your next item is about a worker, then
picture a worker holding a shovel. If you're following with
something about a soft drink, then picture the worker drinking a
soft drink. I know this sounds ridiculous but it's easy and it
really works. What were the 3 items? Shovel, worker, soft drink...
see!
Here's another technique. Memorize just one point of your
presentation. Now take a break for ten minutes and do something
entirely different. Then come back and memorize a second point of
your presentation. Take another ten minute break. Come back and
memorize a third thought and so on and on. The US Army uses this
technique to teach soldiers to type (one letter at a time lol). I
know this seems ridiculous but it really works. I use this technique
myself all the time!
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Question: How do I deal with the microphone? I don't have
much experience and it seems like it could be tricky.
- Eric Askew, Edmond, OK
Answer: Do not walk up to the mic and say, "Is this thing on?" That
will immediately show you're not comfortable with the mic. Take your
time and do not draw extra time to the microphone. The mic should be
adjusted so it's about five inches from your mouth and doesn't block
your face. If you need to shout or raise your voice move farther
away from the microphone so you don't hurt your audience's ears.
If for some reason the microphone doesn't appear to be on, pull it
out of it's holder and check if the switch on the side has been
slide over to the off position and turn it back to on. Make a point
to use the mic and don't be afraid of it. It gives your voice more
power and lets your audience know you're the one in charge.
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Question: How do I inject humor into a corporate speech?
- Kathleen Miner, Torrance, CA
Answer: First off, whatever you do don't use an off color
joke. That would completely turn off your audience. Look for things
in your life that are genuinely funny to you, and thoughts that
you've said in conversation that have made others laugh. Write these
down immediately before you forget them, even if it's on a scrap of
paper or a table napkin. Later transfer them to a comedy notebook
that you need to begin keeping. Always keep a pen with you and
always write your ideas down immediately because you definitely will
forget them if you don't!
Ideas often take a while to evolve. They need to be recorded,
thought about, told to friends, and reworded. They grow and lead to
more thoughts. Writing them down in a notebook begins the process.
As they become refined connect these joke ideas to what you're
talking about in your presentation. Use them to help you make your
points. For instance, if you made a foolish mistake trying to sell a
product, relate that experience to give others a chance to laugh and
avoid the same situation. Always try to personalize your humor
because it will be more interesting if people think it's about you.
Make yourself the underdog in the story. It's way funnier if your
car broke down on the way there than if you arrived in your
corporate jet.
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Patrick Hanifin - Clean corporate comedian and
motivational speaker Patrick Hanifin answers your questions about
corporate comedy and public speaking.