Comedy Writing Techniques

And it's the Saturday edition of Finding the Funny, which means I'll be giving you a tip to find the funny yourself! I've written for everyone from the Tonight Show to radio, syndicated cartoon strips, CEO's, companies like wart removal cream makers, and even guests on the Jerry Springer show (my parents are proud). I now travel the country showing organizations how to use humor in business.

So here's your 60 second humor tip – if you want to find the funny in a situation make a list of everything we associate with it and then make an analogy. If you walk into a room and it's cold, then make a list of things we associate with cold such as refrigerators, mt. Everest, frostbite.

What you're trying to do is say something without saying it. You could kick off your staff meeting with, hey this room is cold, but if you come up with an analogy then it's just funnier.

Things you might come up with .. .

I know the room is cold. . .
. . . The company has added a new frostbite plan to the health insurance and they want to try it out.
. . . The fridge broke, and we don't want our lunches to spoil.
. . . The next company retreat is on Mt. Everest, and so we're getting everyone acclimated.

It's a lot more fun than, just stating the obvious – hey, the room is cold. Duh.

If you want more tips on coming up with humor in your communications, then check out my book on Amazon – Finding the Funny Fast. It's how to create quick humor to connect with clients, coworkers and crowds.

That's it for today. Take care and enjoy your journey.