Using humour to enhance presentations and events

With attention spans shrinking with every TikTok video, the need for speakers to connect and engage quickly has never been more critical. In the PA Life Winter 2025 Issue, we speak with Beth Sherman, comedian, seven-time Emmy-winning TV writer, and executive presentation coach about how small moments of humour and humanity can give a big lift to presentations and events…

To use humour effectively, Beth guides speakers and their teams through five essential mindset shifts:

1. The best humour isn’t about jokes. It’s about TRUTH

All we do as comedians is observe and report truth. We combine that truth with some good timing, and a bit of wordsmithing, but that’s all it is: truth. In talks, a quick truth, a moment of self-awareness, or acknowledging the elephant in the room stirs emotion and builds trust.

2. You don’t have to be a “funny person” to use humour

Laughs are the by-product. Connection happens when you show humanity and relatability. Even simply acknowledging whatever is in that thought bubble above your audience’s head, creates connection, which is essential, because you can’t convince until you connect.

3. Humour in speaking is seasoning, not the main ingredient

Think of it like salt. You don’t always need a lot, but you always need some. Think of it as adding few flakes of sea salt on chocolate. A tiny amount makes a huge difference. By sharing your own learning curve, using an unexpected analogy, or admitting a point might seem obvious, you’re making yourself and your content more engaging.

4. Humour is a love language

It’s a way of saying things we couldn’t or wouldn’t say directly. When you make your audience laugh or smile, what you’re really communicating is, “I want this to be a positive and worthwhile experience for all of us.”

5. Prioritise CONNECTION over PERFECTION

Prepare thoroughly. But when it’s time to deliver, stay in the moment.

Presentations are dialogues, not a monologues – even if you’re the only one speaking. When the unexpected happens, it’s ok to be human and acknowledge it. Sometimes that acknowledgement can be as small as a pause or a look. We’ve all been onstage in one form or another, and we can relate.

Embracing these mindshifts will help you create and deliver talks that hold attention, even in a world where distraction is the default.

Beth Sherman is a comedian, Emmy Award-winning TV comedy writer, and keynote speaker. Her keynotes, workshops, and one-to-one coaching show professionals how to use humour not simply for laughs, but as a strategic communication tool for connection, persuasion, and impact.

Find out more at BethSherman.com