Do You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker

Most of the books on public speaking (at least the ones I’ve come across) are repetitive and often useless. This one is a GEM. I could not put it down and finished it in two days. The techniques are broken down in a way that makes sense, and the author’s writing style is conversational and hilarious. I felt more prepared for public speaking after reading this book and doing the exercises than any other resource I’ve ever come across on this topic. MANY THANKS.

Life is all about perspective. The sinking of the Titanic was a miracle to the lobsters in the ship's kitchen. This book gleans new perspective on presentations. Maybe not new. After all, Michael Port does a decent job breaking down the fine art of presentation in his book  Steal the Show . I've been an entertainer for over two decades, primarily as a Wedding Master of Ceremonies. In recent years, I have started speaking to groups of small business owners - as few as eight people in a room, to as many as 800 in the room. Funny makes or breaks you, which is why David Nihill's accounts spending time as a nervous wreck of a stand-up comic is like pure gold.The author does a brilliant job of breaking down the 7 Comedy Habits. One that I feel most people tend to forget: Rehearsed Spontaneity. You can write jokes all day long, great jokes, but if you sound scripted nobody will care. They will tune you out, and if they have a chance, stand up and leave the room. I've seen it happen. DYTF prepares you for this.I think the unique thing in this book has to be the Tipliography in the back. Nihill even admits to making the word up, but it's full of the best tips that the most seasoned comedians utilize to build their material. All told, there are 80 of them. If you really want to know what this book is about, pick it up and read pages 143-160 first. Highlight the ones that resonate with you or that you find interesting, then go back and read the book start to finish (shouldn't take you more than an hour or two - really, it's a quick and fun read and I rarely ever finish self-help books). Repeat. You'll find your strengths and weaknesses, and you'll start being funny at all the right moments.If you find yourself needing to deliver any kind of presentation, be it once or over and over again, this is a great read to put and exorbitant amount of life into you, your message, and your audience.

At the outset, let me state that I received an advanced copy to review without cost.I'm a member of a local Toastmasters club, completed my CC and working on a double DTM (if you're into TM, then you know what I mean). I was raised on PBS, British comedies, and have a highly idiosyncratic sense of humour - meaning that, generally, only long-time friends and family members get my humour. I'm fairly adept at academic, inspirational and informational speaking, but felt that I could use some humour training. I found Mr. Nihill's blog very helpful. That's how I ended up getting to review the book.This book takes the info on the blog (and his information out there in inter-verse) to a whole new level. I've read it once and plan on reading it again very soon. I was so engrossed that I would make up fictitious spills on my tablet screen so my co-workers didn't know I was taking it into the lavatory to read during my water-closeting breaks. The tone is conversational, like a public-speaking mentor you go out for pints with (which might count for the bit of wordiness here and there). The examples and suggestions are realistic and easy to comprehend. This is not an academic treatise or a "philosophy of funny" thesis - it's a good, basic, nuts and bolts guide to developing the skills necessary to grow as a humourous speaker. Maybe it is a bit basic for those of you who are naturally gifted and who pull gufffaws out of people like bonobos pick chits out of fur, but for those of us who stumble in that area (being funny, not chit-picking), - the book is a real value. I wish I'd read this book before I gave my Humourous Speech Contest bomb on the Cain and Abel story. I'll be recommending it to a newbie Toastmaster I eventually get selected to mentor.Other than a free review book, I didn't get chit for writing this.

'Do You Talk Funny?' was written for business speakers, and maybe an aspiring TED talk-er or two, with an eye to allowing them to intersperse tried-and-true humor in their presentations. From the time I began reading, I realized the book's step-by-step tips and overall outlook would really help me as an adult ESL teacher and writer, and as a translator: I once actually worked on a text in a subject that's been (peculiarly, I thought) dear to me since college, the philosophy of comedy, and I thought for sure its author and I were the only ones so fascinated. Now here's David Nihill (with his 'rule of three', coincidentally), both fascinated and fascinating as he delves into all manner of comedic profundities. 'Do You Talk Funny?' thus lives up to its title and initial premise (if you add humor you'll be more of a hit than the 90% of other business speakers who think their job is to celebrate boredom), but provides the reader much, MUCH more. Nihill is eloquent as he convinces us yet again that perspiration beats inspiration, but he softens the news of how much work humor can be ("dying is easy; comedy is hard", as Peter O'Toole quotes in 'My Favorite Year') with detailed directions for structuring jokes, an inside look at the life of successful professional stand-up comics, AND serious ways of using comedy to 'pay it forward'. His initial inspiration for learning how to 'talk funny' was being asked to give a speech in support of a friend with a severe spinal injury, and now that he's moved from stage-fright-to-the-max, to comfortable with even a tough crowd, he organizes events worldwide to raise money for this cause.

A very good read and full of relevant tips and tricks to help you give a real punch to anything you say. Wether you’re talking to friends at the bar, giving a business presentation or simply struggling to overcome frayed nerves at your PhD. viva voce, this book will guide you to become a successful communicator! Only one downside; the book makes numerous references to a resource website (7comedyhabits.com) that doesn’t exist!!! Maybe that jokes on me…

Public speaking is a life skill, and while I have many opportunities to practice such a skill, I have found I still have a lot to learn. David's book is a very funny must read. Not only is it packed full of little gems and insights, but it kept me very much entertained along the way. The tips are simple and practical. Making a speech no longer needs to be a nervously anticipated event, but can be more fun for audience and speakers like. Highly recommend this book for anyone who may find themselves in front of any audience.I will no doubt dip in/out of this little gem many times. Great read David. Thanks.

It's great when you find a book which is both enjoyable to read and also imparts some useful information. If you are like me, public speaking is daunting enough without the pressure to try and stand out. However, in our TED talk dominated world, it is increasingly a skill that is in demand. In this book the author builds the case for why humour can help you to gain an edge, but more importantly he breaks it down into manageable steps, giving you the confidence to try it out. So grab a coffee, find a comfy chair and soon you'll be talking funny too!

This is such a great resource, It has me think, acting and think like a comedian, Its a must have if you really want a starting point in how to write great jokes!

This book has some really good tips for structuring your speeches or talks. It's all good advice and would really help someone that has never spoken in public before.