For more on FunnyBizz Conference click here, read about it here in Fast Company or watch this short video.

This is the free timer app I use.

For virtual presentation software I recommend Prezi Video and Mmhmm.

You can use this free tool to make any image transparent and remove the background. 

For clear audio earbuds I recommend this or this. You may want to grab an extension cable also for the former.

For more tips on presenting virtually go here. 

For more on the memory place here is a quick article I wrote on it. Here is the book as mentioned and talk by Joshua Foer.

Prezi design. It can be time consuming to get good at. If you have the budget I recommend hiring someone. For my initial Prezi design I used worked with Monserrat and for adaption to Prezi video I worked with Mandy at Present Savvy.  

For additional reading and articles I’ve written about public speaking go here

If you wish to check out a great storytelling podcast I recommend The Moth and Snap Judgement. On my second ever storytelling show by some stroke of lunacy I got to perform along side the star of Snap Judgement and one of my all time favourite storytellers, Don Reed. Also a very nice chap! Check him out here. 

“I want to get on stage“. I hear you. I recommend going along to the Moth and telling a story. Open mics also provide a great opportunity and run nightly in most major cities. (if you happen to be based in The Bay Area this is a great list). Otherwise just search open mics near you. If you are not quite ready for the general public Toastmasters groups can provide a starting point. (only a starting point!)

Rapid language learning article as mentioned here

For more on having comedians adding the humor for you, check out FunnyBizz Writer here

Listen to me taking about the processes outlined in the book here

Listen to me talking about the books unconventional creation and funding here

I had a great editor working with me on the book. Find our more about his skills here

I got some great wisdom on book marketing to help get this wee book to you. Initially as a self published book and then with a publisher. You can learn more about that here. 

If I missed anything don’t hesitate to get in touch. I can be reached at david (at) funnybizz (dot) co

Take Your Stories and Apply Joke Structure

Make a bullet point list of your stories on a smart phone. Take each one, identify the key part and apply joke structure. Word backwards and cut all unnecessary details. The funny part should go last and even better if you can break a sequence of 3 elements to reveal it. 

How To Get Engaging Fast

Take any of the stories you like to tell and set it up to reach and be relevent to the maximum amount of people. Ie, start generic before getting specific and put your time and creative energy into linking this story to your topic and a lesson. Use details to let your audience visualise the story and see themselves within it. 

80/20 Approach to Awesome Yet Relaxed Delivery

Start strong by outsourcing your intro, practive the first 30 seconds the most, score content from 1-5 and cutt as much as possible, speak up 20% to eliminate filler words, get out from behind podiums, use the memory palace, don’t pet hamsters, acknowledge the obvious, add act out, never finish on Q&A, never run the clock, practice in fast forward, stand still for main points, watch the 3 speakers before you, use local references, use callbacks and audio record, review and evaluate. 

Further Recommended Reading

I do not get any commission. They are all just great reads if you want further informatation. 

Comic Insights: The Art of Stand-Up Comedy by Franklyn Ajaye

Step by Step to Stand-Up Comedy by Greg Dean

How to Write Funny, by Scott Dikkers

The Comedy Bible: From Stand-up to Sitcom–The Comedy Writer’s Ultimate “How To” by Judy Carter

Comedy Writing Secrets: The Best-Selling Book on How to Think Funny, Write Funny, Act Funny, by Mel Helitzer and Mark Shatz

The Joke’s On You: How to Write Comedy by Stephen Hoover

Talk like Ted by Carmine Gallo

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

The Definitive Book of Body Language by Barbara Pease & Allan Pease

Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything by Joshua Foer

The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny by Peter McGraw and Joel Warner

Pitch Anything: by Oren Klaff

Ongoing Charity Event: Comedy For A Spinal Cause

We kept the initial event that was the catalyst to my experiments in public speaking going and have now raised over $50,000 for San Francisco Bay Area residents on the road to recovery from serious spinal cord injury. You can learn more here. 

The Real Irish Comedy Tour & Festival

During my initial experiemnts in comedy I ended up speaking a lot about what I know: Ireland. The more I did so the more I realised that many of the commonly held views on Ireland or information about the country held by Americans and Irish Americans alike was often outdate. So I got together a group of Irish comedians to set the record straight in the US in the funniest way possible of course, and the Irish Comedy Tour and Festival was born. You can learn more about that here. 

Live Stroytelling 

I went on to host the Moth storytelling series and have continued to participate in storytelling nights. I strated by own series a few years back called “A Funny Thing Happened” which makes sure all stories have a funny side to them and often tours putting on shows at wineries. You can learn more about that or attend an event here. We have a monthly show in San Francisco.