Toastmasters UK North & Ireland

9 Top Tips for Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests

Toastmasters is a great platform for improving your public speaking skills, including humorous speeches and impromptu speaking (Table Topics). Here are nine tips to help you succeed in both areas:

  1. Understand Your Audience: Tailor your humour and topics to your audience. Know their interests, background, and expectations. What’s funny to one group may not be to another.
  2. Start with a Strong Opening: Begin with a humorous or attention-grabbing anecdote or one-liner. Your opening sets the tone for your speech or Table Topic response.
  3. Use Relatable Humor: Incorporate humor that your audience can relate to. Everyday situations, cultural references, or common experiences often work well.
  4. Timing is Key: Practice your comedic timing. Well-placed pauses and delivery can make a good joke great. Avoid rushing through your material.
  5. Analyze and Refine Your Humor: Study comedians or humorous speakers you admire. Understand what makes their jokes work, and adapt those principles to your own style.
  6. Use Self-Deprecating Humor: Lightly poke fun at yourself, your quirks, or your experiences. Audiences tend to respond positively to self-deprecating humor.
  7. Tell Engaging Stories: Weave humor into your storytelling. Use vivid imagery, suspense, and relatable characters to keep your audience engaged.
  8. Rehearse and Get Feedback: Practice your humorous speeches and Table Topics responses in front of a mirror, friends, or fellow Toastmasters. Constructive feedback is invaluable.
  9. Stay Positive and Respectful: Keep your humor positive and respectful. Avoid offensive or sensitive topics, as Toastmasters is all about creating a supportive and encouraging environment.

References:

Remember that humor is subjective, so what works for one audience may not work for another. Practice, adapt, and refine your skills to become a more successful Toastmaster in both humorous speeches and impromptu speaking.

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Elizabeth Jordan
Elizabeth Jordan, DTM, Club Growth Director

Elizabeth Jordan, Club Growth Director

Many clubs experience a loss in membership at September renewals as existing members leave the club for lots of different reasons. This incentive rewards clubs which renew 80% or more of their membership base at 30th June 2021. Having a good base of experienced members is important to offer mentoring to new members and stability to the club. 

It’s a good idea to follow up with members who do not renew to help club officers to understand the reason for not renewing and to extend an invite to rejoin at a future stage. They may be happy to stay on the club’s email list with this in mind.

James Finnegan

James Finnegan, Public Relations Manager

Good PR attracts new guests, invites discussion and improves the reputation of the Club and Toastmasters generally.

Elizabeth Jordan
Elizabeth Jordan, DTM, Club Growth Director

Elizabeth Jordan, Club Growth Director

Many clubs experience a loss in membership at September renewals as existing members leave the club for lots of different reasons. Recruiting in the early months helps to maintain the membership based upon the number of members at 30 June.

Maintaining a healthy membership number (25+) gives the club a much better opportunity to hold quality meetings with enough members to avoid double roles. Quality club meetings attract new members. Healthy club growth is an important part of Club Success.