Funny Presentation Ideas: 33 Ways to Engage Your Audience with Humor and Creativity

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on October 11, 2023

Categories Creativity , Business , Entertainment

Presentations don’t have to be boring; in fact, incorporating humor can make a significant difference in engaging your audience and creating a memorable experience. Funny presentation ideas are a perfect way to add personality and lightheartedness, keeping your viewers entertained while still conveying your message effectively.

By choosing the right topic and presentation style, you can bring out the best in both your content and presentation skills.

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Public speaking anxiety is a widespread concern, but injecting humor into your presentations can help alleviate some of the pressure. With a well-crafted and hilarious presentation, you can capture your audience’s attention, forge a connection beyond the presentation slides, and ensure that your main points are retained by your listeners.

Just remember, not all humor will resonate with every audience, so always be mindful of how your jokes and presentation content align with your target demographic.

Key Takeaways

  • Humor in presentations helps engage the audience and creates a memorable experience.
  • Well-crafted funny presentations can alleviate public speaking anxiety and forge better connections.
  • Be mindful of aligning jokes and content with the specific audience for maximum impact.

33 Fun and Creative Presentation Ideas

Here are 33 ideas to make your next presentation more engaging and memorable:

  • Use humor and jokes strategically throughout the presentation to lighten the mood. Just don’t overdo it.
  • Incorporate funny images, memes, gifs or video clips when relevant.
  • Use self-deprecating humor to appear more relatable. Poke fun at yourself.
  • Tell a humorous personal anecdote or story that relates to your topic.
  • Do a mock award ceremony or give out silly awards to teammates or yourself.
  • Role play with someone or use costumes/props to act out scenarios.
  • Incorporate playful or quirky fonts, graphics, animations or transitions.
  • Challenge your audience with trivia or a game related to your content. Offer prizes.
  • Ask unexpected interview questions in a talk show format. Have someone play the role of host.
  • Use puppets or mascots as co-presenters to demonstrate concepts.
  • Pretend to be an eccentric celebrity and stay in character.
  • Trick your audience periodically with fake information to keep them engaged.
  • Recreate a funny scene from a movie or TV show with coworkers.
  • Make up silly acronyms or mnemonic devices for key points.
  • Do wacky product demonstrations or infomercial parodies.
  • Show funny workplace videos like training gone wrong.
  • Use parody music videos or songs related to your content.
  • Develop a humorous slideshow with ridiculous stock photos.
  • Incorporate play on words, rhymes or alliteration into titles and text.
  • Start with an embarrassing childhood photo of yourself for introductions.
  • Compose a funny poem, limerick or song as part of the presentation.
  • Play a mock game show like Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune or Family Feud.
  • Give away weird prizes or treats when people answer questions correctly.
  • Use funny props like oversized glasses, nerf toys, magic wands, etc.
  • Wear a crazy wig or outfit that relates to your theme.
  • Build in physical audience participation exercises.
  • Share funny testimonials from satisfied “customers”.
  • Develop a hilarious sales pitch skit for your product/service.
  • Create caricatures of important figures related to your topic.
  • Make funny certificates, awards or prizes for audience members.
  • Incorporate memes, gifs and emojis into your visuals.
  • Develop a humorous slide deck using an online meme generator.
  • Close with a funny blooper reel showing preparation fails.

Understanding the Power of Humor

The Science Behind Laughter

Laughter is a powerful tool that can help you connect with your audience on an emotional level. Scientific research has shown that laughter releases endorphins, which are natural mood enhancers, and also stimulates brain activity.

By incorporating humor into your presentation, you can create a more enjoyable and memorable experience for your audience. It’s important, however, to use humor that is suitable for the occasion and the audience.

Inappropriate or overly complex jokes can backfire and detract from your presentation’s effectiveness.

Engagement Through Entertainment

One of the key components of a successful presentation is engagement. By entertaining your audience, you can capture their attention and make them more receptive to your message.

Humor is one way to achieve this, as laughter can break the ice and create a relaxed atmosphere. To effectively use humor in a presentation, consider the following tips:

  • Build rapport by sharing a funny personal story or using self-deprecating humor. This can help your audience relate to you and humanize your message.
  • Use visual aids effectively. Adding funny images or memes to your slides can enhance your humor and keep your audience entertained.
  • Be mindful of your audience’s background and preferences. What may be funny to one person could be offensive to another. Make sure your jokes are appropriate for your audience and avoid using potentially divisive humor.

By incorporating humor into your presentations, you can create a more engaging and entertaining experience for your audience. In turn, this can help you deliver your message more effectively and leave a lasting impression on your listeners.

Choosing a Presentation Tool

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When it comes to creating a funny and engaging presentation, selecting the right tool can make a significant difference. The three main contenders are Microsoft PowerPoint , Google Slides , and Apple Keynote . Let’s dive into their features and understand when to choose each of them.

Microsoft PowerPoint

As part of the Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint is the classic choice for creating presentations. Its extensive features allow you to animate slides, add transition effects, and embed multimedia to make your presentation entertaining.

If you have a Microsoft Office subscription, you’ll have access to an extensive library of templates and themes to choose from, making it easier to design a hilarious presentation. PowerPoint is compatible with both Windows and Mac, but it works best on Windows devices.

  • Extensive features and animations
  • Access to a large library of templates and themes
  • Compatible with Windows and Mac (works best on Windows)

Google Slides

Google Slides is a free, web-based tool that comes with your Google account. You can collaborate with others in real-time, making it ideal for those who need to brainstorm or work together on a funny presentation.

While Google Slides might not have as many features as PowerPoint, it offers the necessary tools to create an engaging presentation with a touch of humor. One advantage of using Google Slides is the ability to access and edit your presentation from any device with internet connectivity.

  • Free and web-based
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Accessible from any device with internet connection

Apple Keynote

If you’re an Apple user, Keynote might be your go-to choice for creating presentations. With a wide range of templates and themes, you can craft a visually appealing and funny presentation. Keynote is known for its smooth animations and transitions that can add a touch of humor to your slides.

Keep in mind that Keynote is exclusively available for macOS and iOS devices, so you might face compatibility issues when sharing your presentation with others who use different platforms.

  • Smooth animations and transitions
  • Exclusively available for macOS and iOS devices
  • Compatibility issues when sharing presentations across different platforms

When choosing a presentation tool for your funny presentation, consider your device compatibility, familiarity with the software, and the features you need to create an engaging and entertaining experience for your audience.

The Art of Creating Engaging Slides

Fusing Data and Aesthetics

In order to create engaging slides, it’s crucial to find a balance between data and aesthetics. By using eye-catching PowerPoint templates and well-designed infographics, you can present your information in a visually appealing way.

Infographics are especially helpful for displaying complex data or large sets of information.

To make your presentation stand out, try experimenting with different charts to represent your data. Bar graphs, line charts, and pie charts can all be useful, depending on the type of information you’re presenting. Integrating these visual elements into your presentation theme will ensure that your slides are both informative and attractive to your audience.

Embracing the Unconventional

Sometimes, the key to engaging your audience is by thinking outside the box. Don’t be afraid to embrace unconventional approaches in your presentation. For instance, you can incorporate interactive elements, such as quizzes or polls, to keep your audience interested and involved. These activities can break up the monotony and add a fun twist to your presentation.

When customizing your PowerPoint templates, consider using unique color combinations or interesting visual elements to catch your audience’s attention. Bold typography and creative iconography can also add an extra touch of personality to your slides.

Remember to keep a consistent theme throughout your presentation. This will help your audience follow your content more easily and stay engaged with your message. By combining data, aesthetics, and unconventional elements, you can create a truly memorable and engaging presentation for your audience.

Breathing Life Into Your Presentation

To create an engaging and memorable presentation, it’s essential to incorporate elements that captivate your audience. Two effective ways to achieve this are by adding video elements and setting the mood with background music.

Adding Video Elements

Utilizing videos in your presentation can be a game-changer. You can incorporate filmed sketches and animations that are relevant to your topic. This helps break the monotony while also providing valuable context and entertainment for your audience. Ensure the video clips are short, appropriate, and blend seamlessly into your presentation.

Setting the Mood with Background Music

Incorporating background music into your presentation can help create a comfortable atmosphere and set the tone. Choose tracks that reflect the theme or subject of your talk and evoke the intended emotions. Ensure the volume is kept low to avoid distracting your audience.

Remember, the music should complement, not overpower, your content.

By using these techniques, you’ll engage your audience in a dynamic and enjoyable learning experience.

Harnessing the Power of Popular Trends

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Memes in Presentations

Incorporating popular memes into your presentations can be an effective way to engage your audience and showcase your sense of humor. By using well-known, relevant, and humorous images or gifs, you can successfully capture your audience’s attention and create a memorable experience.

To make the most of memes, keep the following tips in mind:

  • Choose memes that are widely recognized and easily understood
  • Ensure the meme’s content aligns with the message you want to convey
  • Be mindful of the timing and placement of memes to maximize their impact

TikTok-Inspired Themes

Another way to infuse some fun into your presentations is by harnessing the power of trends from popular social media platforms like TikTok. TikTok-style themes can add a fresh and exciting touch to your slides, helping you captivate your audience and keep their attention throughout the presentation.

Here are a few ways you can incorporate TikTok-inspired themes:

  • Use TikTok’s signature short video format to illustrate key points or share humorous content
  • Embrace trendy visual elements like neon colors, bold typography, and dynamic animations
  • Consider incorporating popular TikTok challenges or trending hashtags to drive audience participation and engagement

By thoughtfully using popular trends like memes and TikTok-inspired themes, you can create a more entertaining and engaging presentation experience for your audience.

Remember to keep the tone and content appropriate for your specific setting and always ensure that humor supports — rather than distracts from — the core message of your presentation.

Innovative Presentation Ideas

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Fun Quiz Nights

Inject some creativity into your presentations by organizing a fun quiz night. You can use tools like Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or AhaSlides to create engaging and interactive quizzes for your audience. These types of quizzes can provide an enjoyable break from the traditional lecture-style presentations, while still sharing valuable information.

Choose topics that are relevant to your audience and ensure you have a good mix of questions that cater to different knowledge levels. By doing so, your audience will stay engaged, and they might even learn something new.

Themed PowerPoint Nights

Bring some excitement to your presentations with themed PowerPoint nights. This creative idea allows you to design a night around a specific theme or topic and encourages audience participation. For example, you could ask your guests to create their own slideshows around a specific pop culture theme, such as movies, television shows, or books.

This approach not only brings out the creativity in you and your guests but also gives everyone the chance to share their unique perspectives on common interests. Furthermore, it breaks the monotony of standard presentations and invites discussion and debate among the audience members.

Making the Most of Trivia Games

Trivia games offer another opportunity to elevate your innovative presentation ideas. By incorporating trivia into your PowerPoint nights or presentation events, you can create an atmosphere of friendly competition that encourages attendees to pay closer attention to the information being shared.

Moreover, these games can be crafted to test their knowledge in certain areas, making them educational as well as entertaining. To enhance the experience, consider utilizing various multimedia formats such as images, videos, and audio clips.

Additionally, you can use platforms like Kahoot! or Quizizz to create interactive online trivia games that can be easily integrated into your presentation.

Using these creative ideas for your presentation nights will not only make them more enjoyable for everyone involved but will also facilitate better learning and engagement. So, the next time you are tasked with creating a presentation, think beyond the norm and dare to be different with your approach.

Specific Presentation Topics

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Reality TV Show Analysis

Are you a fan of reality TV shows and want to dive deeper into the genre?

Analyzing various reality shows can make for an entertaining and informative presentation. Start by picking your favorite series and discuss the key elements that make it appealing to audiences. You can also explore the behind-the-scenes aspects of these shows, such as production, casting, and manipulation.

Throughout your presentation, use visuals like video clips, images, or graphs to help convey your points to your audience.

Discussion on Disney Characters

Delve into the magical world of Disney by examining its iconic characters. This catchy presentation topic allows you to showcase your knowledge of Disney’s vast universe. Choose a handful of memorable characters such as Mickey Mouse, Ariel, or Elsa, and provide a comprehensive analysis of their traits and story arcs.

Highlight their cultural impact, effects on young viewers, or the creative process behind their inception. Enhance the visual appeal of your presentation with eye-catching animations, artwork, or even fun trivia.

Exploring Historical Events

We all know about significant historical events like World War II and the Civil Rights Movement, but have you ever considered putting a humorous spin on history to make it more engaging? Choose lesser-known, quirky events, like the Salem Witch Trials , and present them in a light-hearted manner.

Provide your audience with interesting facts, unique perspectives, and anecdotes. Use multimedia and interactive elements to make your presentation compelling and informative. Please remember though to still treat historical events with respect while adding your humor to the mix.

Keep these presentation topics in mind when you want to craft an engaging and fun experience for your audience. By focusing on your chosen subject and infusing an element of humor, you’ll have a presentation that is enjoyable for everyone involved.

Catering to Different Audiences

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Presentations in the Workplace

When preparing a funny presentation for the workplace, it’s essential to strike a balance between humor and professionalism. Use relatable anecdotes, industry-specific jokes, or playful visuals to keep your colleagues entertained while remaining focused on the topic at hand.

Remember to tailor your content to be inclusive and respectful of all attendees.

For example, you could use memes or comic strips in your slides to illustrate a point or emphasize a message. Incorporating these elements can keep your audience engaged and your presentation light-hearted.

Educational Presentations

In the context of educational presentations, humor can be a powerful tool to capture students’ attention and create a memorable learning experience. Start by identifying the age group and level of understanding of your audience, as this will guide your choice of jokes, stories, and visual materials.

For example, you might use puns and wordplay for older students or silly illustrations for younger audiences. Keep in mind the goal of making complex concepts easier to grasp through the use of humor, without sacrificing the accuracy of the information.

Remember, catering to different audiences doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Recognizing the needs, preferences, and expectations of your target audience can help you inject humor into your presentations – be it in the workplace or the classroom.

Closing Thoughts

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When it’s time to wrap up your presentation, you want to leave your audience with a memorable impression. A strong closing can help reinforce your key points, engage your audience, and make you appear more confident in your public speaking abilities. Here are a few strategies to consider for closing your presentation with a bang.

One option is to use a snowstorm activity , which encourages audience interaction. Have your participants write down their thoughts or takeaways on a piece of paper, crumple it up, and toss it in the air like a snowball. After people swap and collect the snowballs, ask them to share their findings with the group.

You can also try the High-Five Hustle to energize your listeners. Instruct your audience to stand up and high-five a nearby person, creating a sense of camaraderie and connection in the room.

Another approach is the Summary Close. Summarize the main points you covered in your presentation, which reinforces the information for the attendees. A clear and concise summary will leave a lasting impact.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the power of strong eye contact during your closing remarks. As you wrap up your talk, make sure to engage the audience with direct eye contact, giving them a sense of your confidence and knowledge on the topic.

Remember, as a presenter, your goal is to captivate your audience. Experiment with these techniques to discover which works best for you, and watch your public speaking skills flourish.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What are some entertaining topics for a PowerPoint night?

There are numerous entertaining topics you can choose for a PowerPoint night, such as comparing your friends to alcoholic beverages, predicting each friend’s band name, or roasting their zodiac signs. The key is to select subjects that make the audience laugh and spark conversations among your friends.

How can I make my presentation humorous and engaging?

To create a humorous and engaging presentation, use funny images or memes, wordplay, and anecdotes that relate to your topic. Keep the pace lively by switching between different formats like slides, videos, and short quizzes which keeps the audience’s attention and prevents monotony.

What creative ideas can I use for a friends’ presentation night?

For a friends’ presentation night, consider organizing a themed PowerPoint night, creating a guessing game about personal anecdotes, or crafting a presentation about your friend’s former lifetimes. Another option is to play a spin-the-wheel game to determine each person’s topic, which adds an element of surprise and excitement.

How can I incorporate fun elements into a PowerPoint for students?

To make a PowerPoint engaging for students, incorporate interactive elements such as quizzes, puzzles, or ClassPoint extensions. You can also use pop culture references, infographics, and animations to keep the content entertaining. By making your PowerPoint interactive and relatable, you will make learning more enjoyable for your students.

What are some popular PowerPoint night ideas from TikTok?

TikTok has become a treasure trove for PowerPoint night ideas, with users sharing their creative and funny presentations, such as creating tier lists for arbitrary categories, commentary on embarrassing childhood photos, or bizarre hypothetical situations. Browsing the hashtags #PowerPointNight and #PowerPointParty on TikTok can provide you with inspiration and entertainment.

How do I choose a lighthearted subject for a presentation?

When selecting a lighthearted subject for a presentation, think about topics that can make your audience laugh, evoke nostalgia, or spark conversations. Choose something that relates to your audience’s interests, experiences, or preferences. Also, consider funny speech topics that play on current events or popular culture, as this can often generate laughter and enthusiastic discussions.

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  • Presentations
  • Public Speaking

How to Make a Presentation More Humorous (With 7 Top Tips From Experts)

Sharon Hurley Hall

Making your audience laugh is a good way to get them fully engaged with your presentation.

Using humor in business presentations can make the difference.

How to make a presentation humorous

Listening to your business presentation shouldn't be like visiting a comedy club. But a laugh here and there can help your listeners take in relevant information.

If you want to give your presentations some extra appeal, it's important use humor the right way. 

In this guide, I'll share techniques and expert tips on how to make a presentation humorous and fun. You'll learn how to give a funny presentation that works.

Adding Humor to Presentations: Why Does It Matter?

Many speakers hesitate to create a funny PowerPoint or add humor to a speech.

The hesitation is easy to understand. They just don't know how to be humorous in a speech.

How to Give a Funny Presentation

Here are three reasons why using humor in presentations is a good idea:

  • Adding humor to presentations  holds your audience's attention. It creates a bond with them . If they're laughing with you then they're connected. That's key when you want your presentation to be successful.
  • Using humor also makes your presentation more memorable . An oft-quoted saying is that people may forget your exact words, but they won't forget how you make them feel. Adding humor to presentations generates the right kind of feelings in your listeners. Plus, making presentations fun reinforces key points and leads to a more interesting presentation. 
  • There's one more benefit for those wanting to do lots of public speaking. Using humor in business presentations will give a good impression of you as a speaker . That can help you win future speaking engagements. You'll also get more traffic for any presentations you post online.

Find some expert tips about public speaking and business presentations in these tutorials:

how to do a funny presentation

Tips on Using Humor in Presentations

Ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of using humor in presentations?

Here are some tips on how to give a funny presentation to keep your audience laughing:

1. Tell a Joke Near the Start

Are you wondering how to make a PowerPoint presentation fun for the audience? Many professional speakers believe it's good practice to tell a joke at the beginning of your presentation.

Professional presenter James Altucher  says:

"People need to laugh within the first 30 seconds or else you’re going back to your cubicle at the pencil factory and they will never remember you." 

While this is good advice, remember to read the room.

Sometimes you need to let your audience warm up for a few minutes before hitting them with something humorous. Otherwise it might fall flat and leave your audience less interested than before.

Heidi Cohen , Chief Content Officer, Actionable Marketing Guide, says:

"...humor depends on context and shared culture. As a result, it may not translate to a specific topic or audience. Even top comics work through many iterations of their routines and practice them before they know what works. 
Instead of using humor, the real challenge for professional presentations is capturing and holding your audience’s attention or you’ve lost them to their devices." 

So, with all the distractions out there, what's a presenter to do? Cohen has a technique to try:

"[This] ...requires building smaller arcs into your larger over-arching presentation story. Think of each point as having its own problem, action and result. By doing this, you keep listeners engaged. 
Further, after you’ve outlined the presentation, block out how you will take advantage of the stage and what changes you’ll make for each point."

2.  Use an Anecdote 

Not everyone has a prebuilt cache of jokes to put in a speech. If telling jokes isn't your thing, consider using a humorous anecdote. Most people relate to a funny story. If it's relevant, it can really make the subject of your presentation more interesting. 

Andy Crestodina , Cofounder of Orbit Media and seasoned content marketing speaker, says: 

"Telling tiny stories, especially in the middle of the presentation, keeps the presentation alive. Without them, the audience struggles."

Crestodina has a great tip to capture the audience's attention in the middle of a presentation. Best of all, it's something anyone can try.

"Throw in a very brief story, supported with a visual, ideally funny or personal, during the middle of the presentation. It doesn’t even need a smooth segue. The point is to break it up. Plot twists and joke slides."

For example, Crestodina tells a story about kids and yogurt:

“I need my free time. I’ve got two little kids and I make them these yogurt popsicles from frozen mangoes and yogurt. They love them, but look how messy they are.”

adding humor to presentations with a surprise

"...pause for laughter. Resume presentation to newly awakened, reconnected audience."

3. Don't Be Afraid to Laugh at Yourself

Speaking of how to be humorous in a speech, don't be afraid to laugh at yourself.  Nancy Marshall, the PR Maven , says: 

"Subliminally, everyone in the audience is feeling nervous for you as a speaker when you are the one up in front of the group. Being self-deprecating is a good way to help everyone in the audience, and to help yourself relax and settle in. Saying something like, “Yes, I have had my business for 30 years. Obviously I started it when I was two.” A statement like that can break the ice and help everyone be more present."

Self-deprecating humor is very relatable. People appreciate that you're willing to make yourself a little vulnerable. Instantly, that transforms you, in their perception, from a distant expert to a person like them. That makes them more likely to pay attention to the rest of the presentation. 

At the start of her commencement speech for Harvard, J.K.Rowling alludes to the natural fear of giving a speech on a big stage, and her very human reaction to it:

"The first thing I would like to say is thank you. Not only has Harvard given me an extraordinary honor, but the weeks of fear and nausea I have endured at the thought of giving this commencement address have made me lose weight. A win-win situation. Now all I have to do is take deep breaths, squint at the red banners, and convince myself that I am at the world's largest Gryffindor reunion."

Rowling goes on with the commencement address, adding more bits of humor throughout the presentation.

4. Tailor Humor to Your Audience

When thinking about funny PowerPoint presentations ideas, tailor anecdotes and jokes to your audience.

Humor works best when it's relevant. Don't worry. That still leaves plenty of scope for colorful stories. In the example below, Mark Sanborn uses everyday experiences to give business lessons, while keeping the audience engaged and laughing:

how to do a funny presentation

Here's how Social Media Consultant, Strategist and Speaker Andrea Vahl uses humor in presentations:

"I use humor in presentations in a few different ways.  First of all, I have humor in the opening section of my presentation when I talk about "my story" and background that is more universally appealing.  I use a combination of funny images and unexpected twists to give my biography in a unique way.  
Then it does also help to tailor the humor to your audience by finding out some of the buzz words they use or pain points that they often run into so you can address those with quick quips or images in slides.  Find out if the organization has an "inside joke" that you can bring into your presentation also."

Vahl suggests turning to the weird or unusual to add humor to a presentation. 

"To brainstorm about how to make something funny you can ask yourself, "What is weird about this?" or "What could be ridiculous about this?" and just write ideas without judgement.  Then see how you can work those ideas into your presentation."

5. Include a Funny Quote or Image 

Memes aren't just for social media. They can also make your presentations easier to access. If you can find a funny image or quote related to your presentation people will remember it for two reasons:

  • because it's visual
  • because it made them laugh 

In the video below, Tim Urban uses humorous drawings to illustrate how his mind works: 

how to do a funny presentation

6. Use Sound Effects 

Using a sound at the right time can stop your audience's attention from wandering. Our attention spans are short. 

So, when a growling bear pops up just over seven minutes into Morgan Spurlock's  TED talk, it instantly grabbed his listeners' attention. If I'd been in that audience, I'd have been doubly attentive, waiting to see what would happen next.

7. Use Analogies and Contrast

Another tip when thinking about how to add humor to a presentation  is to use techniques like contrast, surprise, tension and analogies. Some of the examples shared earlier illustrate how surprise works to get attention.

Here's an example of an analogy being used in a funny PowerPoint. In an SEO presentation, a speaker comments that the best place to hide a body is the second page of Google search results. The speaker just used humor to make an unforgettable point about the importance of appearing on the first page of search results.

Author, speaker, and comedian Andrew Tarvin  points out in Forbes that:

"Humor doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to laugh. Humor is something that is comic, absurd or incongruous that causes amusement. Most marketing campaigns can benefit by adding levity. But if your brand is very serious inherently, it may not be appropriate."

What to Look Out for When Making Presentations Fun

Using humor is a great technique for improving your presentations. Here are a few more tips to help you get it right when thinking about how to write a funny speech:

1. Don't Try Too Hard 

First, you're not your favorite stand-up comedian. So, don't try too hard. The audience will relate to you better if you're yourself. If you combine that with telling stories they can relate to, so much the better.

2. Be Mindful of Diversity 

Know that humor doesn't always translate. So, if you're speaking or presenting to a diverse audience, be careful about what you use as humor. Jokes that stigmatize a particular gender or ethnicity aren't appropriate. Also, you'll want to do some research in advance to see if there are any hot buttons you need to avoid.

To learn more about the importance of diversity in the workplace, study these tutorials:

how to do a funny presentation

3. Read the Room 

Related to that, read the room so you know if a particular joke is appropriate.

If your big number falls flat, don't be afraid to change direction. Sometimes simply saying that you changed your mind about telling a joke can win your audience over. 

4. If People Are Laughing, Let Them Finish 

Don't interrupt the laughter. If you've told a joke and it's got people laughing, let your audience enjoy the moment. They'll be much more kindly disposed to you by the end of that process.

Learn More About Presentations

Still need more tips on how to make a presentation fun?

Learn more about using PowerPoint in our ultimate guide or check out the resources below: 

how to do a funny presentation

How to Get Started With Funny PowerPoint Presentations

When thinking about how to make a boring presentation fun, a good starting point is to choose the right template. Using presentation templates offers several advantages over a DIY approach.

Premium presentation  templates make presentation creation quick and easy. There's no need to fiddle around with small details. Your presentation will also  have a professional appearance , thanks to a harmonious design.

PowerPoint templates on Envato Elements

If you're looking for the perfect presentation template for your next presentation, Envato Elements has an offer you won't want to miss.  Download as many  PowerPoint presentation templates  as you want, all for one low price. 

To learn more about using presentations in business check out our ebook,  The Complete Guide to Making Great Business Presentations .

Use PowerPoint Templates for Your Funny Presentation

Looking for the perfect PowerPoint template for your next humorous presentation?

Check out these fun and cool templates:

how to do a funny presentation

Get Started With Making Presentations Fun Today

As you've seen, using humor and presentations is a great tool for any presenter, if you do it right. Pay attention to the cues that let you know when humor is working (and when it isn't) and you'll be able to use this tool effectively. 

Remember, if you're looking for a great way to make your presentation lively, then check out the humorous presentation templates on Envato Elements.

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in 2020. We're sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.

Sharon Hurley Hall

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