Comedy: a Serious matter for Traveling Speakers
This may surprise you, but Speakers Beware: Comedy Doesn’t Travel Well. Travelling to distant Speaking Events & Presentations is often recommended by Trainers, books, & DVD’s. It’s a good way to build your Business and increase your earnings & reputation. But, there are a few liabilities of being a Travelling Speaker you should recognize. In today’s globalized environment, Travelling carries both assets & liabilities for You the Speaker. Let’s take a look at some of them.
There are some valid and potentially unpleasant aspects of using Comedy & Humor outside of your Community or Region of the Country. When, How & Why should you include Comedy or Humor in your Presentation? How do you make that decision, and what’s the best Decision given the circumstances of the Event? If it’s true that Comedy Doesn’t Travel, how do you decide before you accept the job and pack your bag? Well, lets take a look… The plain fact is:
Jokes barely make it from region to region in one country. Internationally it’s even more challenging. Much of what we label as Comedy is based on aspects of our local Community. Often based on our National habits, speech, or interpretation of past events. All of these may not be known to a distant or foreign audience. So, if in doubt, Pack your Passport, and leave the jokes at home is my best advice. Unless you truly know your target audience, accept that including Comedy might not be a good decision.
The impact of the web has to be acknowledged as both a benefit and a liability. Therefore, due some research and carefully consider whether or not to tell a joke or a comedic story about almost anyone or any thing, any where, any longer.
News travel fast. Cultural sensitivities are on high alert. It’s not the “good old days” which I’m not lamenting, simply making an observation, a statement of fact I believe, which I hope will guide your decision regarding the use of both Comedy & Humor.
Comedy & Humor is not always a “Laughing Matter“>
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