Humor is a powerful tool to connect with people, show your personality, and stand out from the crowd. But using humor during a networking event can also be tricky. You don't want to offend anyone, bore them, or make them uncomfortable. So how can you use humor to make a lasting impression during a networking event? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you crack a joke, think about who you are talking to and what they might find funny. Do some research on the industry, the company, or the person you are meeting. Avoid topics that are controversial, sensitive, or inappropriate. Use humor that is relevant, respectful, and relatable. For example, you can joke about common challenges, trends, or experiences in your field, but avoid making fun of specific people, groups, or issues.
When meeting someone for the first time, it may not be appropriate to make a joke at their expense. A good start would be to make a joke on yourself, which helps in breaking the ice and also conveying that one shouldn't take self too seriously
There are many ways to make someone remembers us. Either a good joke or an extremely bad one. To start off, make sure we don't over ask and go into personal matters. Have a drink and be as casual as possible. The worse I have seen was a straight sell in my face. It is not only inappropriate and making us feel that the whole conversation was just to sell. The best joke was about some personal experiences too. For all meet up, just enjoy the crowd. We just can't speak to everyone. Make sure the one you speak with is memorable. Good luck on cracking your jokes and love y'all - Robin
Using humor can really liven up a conversation (and I love using it), but it’s important to remember that not everyone finds the same things funny and especially when you are traveling around the world. What might be very much accepted in Europe or the US, might land very wrong in MEA or Asia. It’s all about reading the room and knowing your audience. So, go ahead and crack a joke, but be sure to keep it respectful and appropriate for the situation.
Desproges: “Can you laugh about anything? yes but not with anyone” It can be useful to learn improvisation because the best jokes are the ones where you reply to the audience. See comedians working the crowd, that’s the most memorable moments.
In order to impress people at networking event, you need to prepare. There’s no way you don’t prepare then show up at the event and impress people just by cracking a joke. Here are 3 things that you should do: 1. Do your research. Know the kind of audience who will join the meeting (their industries, their companies, their expertises). 2. Prepare & deliver your elevator pitch. You can’t talk to everyone at the event. But if you can, try to impress them with your 1 to 2-minute-story, showcasing who you are, your journey & what help you can offer them. 3. Follow up. Impression will not last because people meet so many people at the event and they probably will not be able to remember all. However, one follow up will help you stand out.
Don't try to be someone you are not or copy someone else's style of humor. Use humor that reflects your own personality, values, and voice. Don't force jokes or overdo it. Be natural, spontaneous, and genuine. Humor should enhance your conversation, not dominate it. For example, you can use humor to break the ice, share a story, or make a point, but don't turn your conversation into a stand-up comedy routine.
Humour doesn't have to just be conveyed through your words or through jokes. It can also be conveyed through facial expressions and the tone that you use. Playful facial expressions include smiling lots, raising your eyebrows and blinking - all of which showcase expressiveness and affability.
There is nothing worse than overdoing humor or using humor when it isn't natural to you. So do what you feel most comfortable with and people will engage with it more and relate to you better. Humor should be a starting point and then move to have a natural conversation as well. Using jokes throughout can make it hard for people to learn more about you.
The clown training is all about that, to be aware of how your emotions are in the present and play with them engaging the audience. I think that in the context of a networking event is supper relevant to put the obvious in the table: Yes we are here to sell ourselves and yet we are able to have fun with it. I usually have an ice breaker that goes something like "what do you do when you are not here" which is open enough for the person to answer what ever they want to answer. Listen, and then maybe answer a follow up question that actually shows where you are standing towards the topic: is it also your jam? is it totally out of what you do, what can you learn about it? This is your baseline, and then just have fun!
Use humor that is upbeat, optimistic, and uplifting. Don't use humor that is negative, cynical, or sarcastic. You want to make people smile, not frown. You want to build rapport, not create distance. You want to show confidence, not insecurity. For example, you can use humor to compliment, praise, or thank someone, but don't use humor to criticize, complain, or insult someone.
Remember, the key is to stay true to yourself while sprinkling in that touch of humor that sets you apart. It's like adding the perfect accessory to complete an outfit – your personal touch makes all the difference!
Self deprecation can also be humourous. It is a useful way to put another at ease and show that you are open to communicating with humour and being playful. So long as you yourself are the brunt of your own joke you are not at risk of offending anyone.
Pay attention to how your humor is received and how it affects the mood and tone of the conversation. Observe the body language, facial expressions, and verbal cues of the other person. If they laugh, smile, or nod, that means they appreciate your humor and you can continue. If they look confused, annoyed, or offended, that means they don't like your humor and you should stop. For example, you can use humor to lighten up a tense or awkward situation, but don't use humor to make a bad situation worse.
Humor is like a taste in food - everbody has a different taste and it's right for them. What I would suggest is a good, old joke about yourself. Nothing signals better that we are open to having a laugh than making a joke or observation at our own expense. It's a great invitation for anyone interested in talking or interacting with us. Also, everyone loves a good hotel story or anecdote - they're often entertaining but without malice.
Be ready to adapt your humor to different situations, contexts, and people. Don't stick to a script or a formula. Be creative, curious, and open-minded. Use humor that is appropriate, timely, and fresh. For example, you can use humor to respond to a question, a comment, or a feedback, but don't use humor that is irrelevant, outdated, or stale.
Using humor during a networking event can help you make a lasting impression, but only if you do it right. Follow these tips and you will be able to use humor to connect, communicate, and create opportunities.
Humour helps break the ice and let’s people be more at ease. Read the audience and cater the right type of humour based on the people we are networking with. People usually enjoy a good laugh, but be mindful about the jokes you make, ensuring it doesn’t touch on sensitive subjects. Other than that, just be yourself. Authenticity is key.
Try to have some fun with the person you are speaking to. Demonstrate to them that you are open to communicating with humour, that you are able to laugh at yourself and don't take yourself too seriously. This should create a warm and positive atmosphere within which you can bounce off of one another's humour and ideas.
You will not remember who was present at the event, but you will surely remember the joke of anything relevant conversation around that ever comes, right? You might not remember when was the last time you attended the event, but you do remember the meme that was trending in 2021, right? That's how humor works.
Feed off of the conversation, use what has been said to be funny, it's much more natural and if you do it right you have made the person you fed off, part of the joke and they will feel like they were funny too. If you make someone laugh, they will remember you and the next time they see you in a room full of people they will gravitate toward you and will want to introduce their networking colleagues to you. Use your humor as an ice breaker, but don't use it as your only tool, it's cool to the funny guy, but you don't want to be seen as just a comedian when it comes to business. Having a rehearsed set of jokes always feels just like that, better to have couple of funny stories you can adapt to the conversation, rather than 10 Dad Jokes
When networking, it is important to be in a good mood. So smiling a lot and laughing when others are being funny will help you build rapport with those around you. People like happy people. If you are naturally humorous, be yourself. Pay attention to the people by listening actively and joining in. Try to join a group where people are laughing and having fun.
If you want to imbue more of your professional engagements with humour you might like to find someone who's humour you admire and examine what it is that you find funny about it. Break it down and try to see if you can test out embodying them in your interactions with others.
Don’t force it, if it’s not appropriate in that setting to use humor as a tool then simply don’t do it. It is best to avoid sensitive topics.
Humor can help break the ice and move the conversation into a more relaxed and natural one. Using a touch of humor early on can help establish a rapport with the interviewer, making the rest of the interview go more smoothly. When done well, humor helps portray you as a confident professional with options. After all, you’re trying to determine if the job is a good fit for you as much as the interviewer is considering whether you’re the best match for the team. Using a bit of humor early on can help set the tone for an investigative and productive conversation.