Have you ever told a joke and forgot the punchline? It happened recently to public speaking coach and veteran public relations executive Rosemary Ravinal. “I felt so awkward and awful that I must use it as a learning moment,” she says, turning a lemon into lemonade with this column.
By Rosemary Ravinal
As I prepared to moderate a C-suite conference, I researched examples of appropriate humor to include in my opening remarks. I don’t have a talent for telling jokes, but I thought I’d step out of my comfort zone and warm up an audience of number crunchers. Friends in that industry shared some of their favorite jokes and I picked one for my script.
In the middle of my delivery, I forgot the punchline and improvised but the joke fell flat. What’s the moral of the story?
There are times when it pays to memorize, especially if you’re not the author of the joke. Or write it down on a cheat sheet and read it, but only if it adds value to your remarks. Otherwise, skip it altogether
My belief that I am not funny sets me up to fail. How can you improve at remembering and telling jokes even if you don’t consider yourself funny?
Here are a few steps and resources to help you use humor confidently:
1. Choose a joke you find relatable.
You’re more likely to remember something that makes you laugh. Shorter jokes and one-liners are easier to recall than long, complex ones.
2. Understand the structure and flow.
Break the joke into parts or chunks, such as setup and punchline. Create mental cues such as mnemonics and acronyms for each section.
3. Practice out loud.
As with any speech, practicing aloud, recording yourself, watching, and adjusting your tone and manner work wonders.
4. Embrace the moment (good or bad).
If you fumble or the joke flops, turn it into a playful moment. Ask if anyone in the audience knows how the joke ends or suggest they come up with their own punchline.
Being funny isn’t just about telling jokes well. It’s about being real, connecting with others, enjoying shared moments, and communicating effectively.
Do you want to uplevel your public speaking for 2025? Are your presentation skills lacking as you set your career goals for the coming year? Let Rosemary Ravinal help you excel in English or Spanish. Schedule an exploratory call with Rosemary today.
