Book Club Discussion: Do You Talk Funny?: 7 Comedy Habits to Become a Better (and Funnier) Public Speaker by David Nihill
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Welcome to our book club shindig! This time around, a bunch of celebrants, including yours truly, delved into the treasure trove that is David Nihill’s Do You Talk Funny? If you’ve dived into the same pages, feel free to spill the tea in the comments.
QUICK RECAP: Do You Talk Funny?
The book unveils seven comedy habits that promise to transform an average speaker into a captivating and humorous communicator.
Do You Talk Funny? shows how the key principles of stand-up comedy can be applied to your speaking engagements and presentations to make you funnier, more interesting, and better looking. (Or at least two of the three.) Whether you are preparing for a business presentation, giving a wedding toast, defending your thesis, raising money from investors, or simply want to take on something you’re afraid of, this book will take you from sweaty to stage-ready.
Nihill’s approach is both practical and entertaining, weaving together anecdotes from his own journey in stand-up comedy with actionable tips for effective public speaking.
MY THOUGHTS
Move over, boring public speaking guides, because this book is my absolute favourite—and I’d recommend it to any celebrant or business owner faster than you can say a ‘knock-knock joke.’
Nihill doesn’t just spill the beans on public speaking; he tosses in a truckload of humour to make the learning process a mix between a TED talk and a stand-up comedy show.
I found myself not only absorbing valuable advice but also chuckling at the author’s witty observations and personal experiences. And of course, if you listen to the audio book like I did, you’ll fall in love with his Irish accent and charm.
What I found most-inspiring was Nihill’s journey from a non-comedian to a stand-up performer proving that it’s possible for anyone to learn these skills. In one year, David went from being deathly afraid of public speaking to hosting a business conference, regularly performing stand-up comedy, and winning storytelling competitions in front of packed houses. He did it by learning from some of the best public speakers in the world: stand-up comedians.
I read this book after I created my Comedy Writing Workshop for Celebrants and was delighted and reassured to discover that they cover much of the same ground.
DISCUSSION: Did you learn anything from David that you could apply in your role as a celebrant?
What sets this book apart is its emphasis on practical application. Nihill doesn’t just preach theory; he encourages readers to apply the comedy habits in their own public speaking. The exercises and challenges provided throughout the book make it a hands-on guide, ensuring that celebrants can immediately implement what they’ve learned.
Effective timing and delivery are crucial in both comedy and public speaking. Celebrants can benefit from Nihill’s insights on pacing, pauses, and rhythm to create a ceremony with a natural flow that engages guests.
Stand-up comedians are adept at handling unexpected situations, and Nihill shares strategies for dealing with surprises. Celebrants can easily apply these strategies to navigate unforeseen circumstances during ceremonies with wit and composure.
RATING Do You Talk Funny? by David Nihill
Do You Talk Funny? is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their public speaking skills including celebrants of all levels so I’m giving it 4.5/5. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a novice, this book offers valuable insights that can transform your communication style and leave your audience entertained.
Nihill supports his concepts with real-life examples, sharing success stories and failures from his own experiences in the world of comedy. This guy doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the comedic walk, and it’s so relatable that you’ll be nodding along, thinking, “Yep, been there, bombed that.” It’s advice served with a side of authenticity, and it tastes darn good.
How many stars would you give this book?
MY BOOKS
If you had a good time reading this review, why not take a peek at the other books I’ve reviewed? There’s a lot more where that came from!
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