How to Write Humor

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 restaurant employees to Real Estate agents. I now travel the country showing organizations how to use humor in business.

So here's your 60 second tip. Use stereotypes and common assumptions as long as you're nice!! For example, if you're making a joke about McDonalds, what are our common assumptions and stereotypes about their food – unhealthy, cheap, fattening. They do have healthy food like apples and yogurt, but we don't think about that, because it doesn't matter if the common assumptions or stereo types are accurate, it's the picture people conjure up in their head when they think of it. I once wrote a joke about Bill Gates having a party on his yacht with all his rich friends. I thought, what's the stereotypes we have about rich people? Rude, mansions, nice cars, plastic surgery. I then came up with "Bill Gates threw a party on his yacht with some of the world's richest people. For the first time, there was more saline on a ship than in the water." It was a quick reference to botox and fake breasts without actually saying those words. So use stereotypes and common assumptions to find the humor . . .as long as your nice about it!

Listen to tomorrows joke to hear how I used our common assumptions about the Opera to make a joke.

If you want more fast 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.