Turning Yucks Into Bucks

We all need to laugh more. As an overworked indie business owner you may not remember the last time you laughed and your clients likely need to yuck it up a little more these days, as well. Perhaps you were the class clown and have no idea how to effectively and professionally incorporate that gift into your presentations and interactions with clients. Perhaps you don't think you have a funny bone in your body, but you acknowledge the power of humor and would like to add a little levity to your sales pitches, writing or presentations.

We'll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of humor in business, the do's and don'ts of humor in a professional setting and the five types of humor. We'll also brainstorm additional ideas for incorporating humor into business situations in this interactive workshop. You'll leave with some techniques for adding humor to your business that feel comfortable and natural for you. Come prepared to loosen up and laugh at least a little while picking up some helpful hints for your entrepreneurial bag of tricks.

Nancy's comedy cred...a late bloomer who found she was funnier than she ever realized and used that skill to connect with clients in a highly effective manner in her indie business of seven years, a former Special Education Teacher who found that being the class clown was a necessity (beat those squirrely kids to the punch!), a student of improvisational comedy with four onstage performances under her belt and a brave soul who has finally agreed to do an open-mike stand-up routine after being dared by friends...and she has made roughly 1,500 babies laugh at least once - and babies can be a tough crowd!

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  Posted by Elizabeth Lee, Seattle, Washington | Jun 16, 2008

  Nancy: We leave for a two week trip back to NYC on the 21st otherwise I would not miss this event.

  I do hope you will host again.

  Elizabeth...organizing you and your stuff
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jun 16, 2008

  Elizabeth,

  If the w.shop is well received I certainly will....and would love to have you there. I already have you as a reference in one of my examples, under deadpan comedy masters...you and Steven Wright....and as side note, you are way cuter than Steven Wright...even with the Charles Nelson Riley glasses! ;0)
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jun 27, 2008

  Yippee, look at all the fun people in my workshop. All the cool kids are doin' it! ;0)
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  Posted by Nina Durfee, Sammamish, Washington | Jun 29, 2008

  I'd love to attend this event, but evening in Seattle doesn't work for me. Let me know when you do one on the Eastside, or during daytime hours in Seattle.

  Have fun with it!

  Nina
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 01, 2008

  Thanks for your interest, Nina. I will run this again if all goes well and there seems to be add'l interest.

  Nancy

  Hop to Signaroo
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  Posted by karen floyd, seattle, Washington | Jul 10, 2008

  looking forward to it!
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  Posted by Suzanne Melton, Seattle, Washington | Jul 12, 2008

  I went back and forth about signing up and then I noticed something: I can understand why two Parent Educators would need humor in business but . . . Private Investigators?

  Hmmm. . . I've been enticed.
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 12, 2008

  Karen, glad you will joining us...and you too, Suzanne! Oh, P.I. work is very funny business, don't ya know? Actually, I think John is joining us because he's one of my biggest fans...and I'm one of his biggest fans too...and appreciate the moral support! ;0) John has a very interesting background, though, with a wide range of experiences, so I bet he'll have some great insight into humor in a variety of work situations. He's the kind of guy that has great insight into a lot of things. This is going to be a fun group, for sure! I'm even thinking about assigning some pre-workshop "homework" so we have even more interaction from everyone. Hmmm...putting my thinking cap on...
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  Posted by karen floyd, seattle, Washington | Jul 13, 2008

  HomeworK!? Bring it on!
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  Posted by Melinda Renken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 15, 2008

  Anyone who has ever dealt with "Bridezilla" and creating her dream wedding cake needs to learn to laugh about it. :O)

  Teach me, please!
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 16, 2008

  Melinda, I will do my best to give you some pointers to add a little levity to working with clients like that. I was going to recommend wearing garlic around your neck. Heck, you could probably even get away w/that because you work in the culinary industry...but then I remembered that's to ward off vampires, not the Bridezilla types! ;0) Looking forward to meeting you next week!
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  Posted by Julian Michael, Seattle, Washington | Jul 17, 2008

  I really wish I could attend, just sounds like a 'real hoot!'...but that's one of my last couple days to spend with my woman before I'm off to Alaska later that week. Have a blast, and see you next Thursday! -JM

  Photographer, Experienced portrait artist
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 17, 2008

  Thanks for the note, Julian. Looks like there is a lot of interest in this topic, so if all goes well I will run the workshop again and hopefully you can join us again. Have fun with your sweetie! ;0)
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  Posted by David Wolf, Seattle, Washington | Jul 18, 2008

  Sounds like a great event. I’m looking forward to the learning.

  The Wolf Group - Your Partners in Success!
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  Posted by Marlene Rockey, Seattle, Washington | Jul 20, 2008

  I so want to come to your event Nancy! However I am having some oral surgery done the day before and as much as I love to laugh, my mouth just might not be ready for it on Tuesday. So like everyone else who can't make it this time, I am hoping you will consider hosting another event like this again. Obviously there are plenty of people interested in the subject. Have fun! Marlene

  marlene...transforming homes one room at a time
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 20, 2008

  Thanks, Marlene. Good luck with your surgery! There was a lot of interest in this event, so I probably will host it again. Stay tuned!

  Nancy

  Hop to Signaroo
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  Posted by Melinda Renken, Seattle, Washington | Jul 21, 2008

  Hi Nancy, Unfortunatly, I have to cancel my RSVP. I found out this afternoon that I will have to work overtime tomorrow and I'll still be in my office when the event starts. If you host this again, however, I'll be there with bells on! :O)

  Melinda
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 21, 2008

  No worries, Melinda. I will try to host it again in the future.
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  Posted by Michael Lisagor, Bainbridge Island, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  My elderly friend, Elizabeth, was watching a Star Trek movie when I called to ask her about the importance of a sense of humor. She said that a joke made only to solicit a laugh or make fun of others rarely penetrates a person’s heart or creates anything of value. Humor that stems from compassion, on the other hand, can be an effective way of establishing trust and reducing stress in a non-offensive manner. This type of humor can provide the bridge over which more serious ideas and concerns can travel. She then told me to live long and prosper and returned to her television show. Have a terrific event!
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  Cute story, Michael. Thanks! ;0)
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  Posted by Suzanne Melton, Seattle, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  I'm freezing and I ache all over.

  Pretty sure you don't want what I have...and I even did my homework!
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 22, 2008

  Get well, Suzanne! We'll miss ya and hopefully see you at the next one!
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  Posted by John Hays, Seattle, Washington | Jul 23, 2008

  Nancy and all y'all,

  May I be the first to congratulate Nancy on a great class.

  The story of Pinocchio will never be the same for me.

  Any time you can spend an evening laughing and learning with such a funny bunch of folks is time well spent...which reminds me of a story...

  John

  Seattle Washington Private Investigator
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  Posted by Nancy Hanauer, Seattle, Washington | Jul 23, 2008

  Aw shucks, John...thanks for the kind words. You and the other attendees made it so easy...and I loved the great ideas everyone added to the discussion. Thanks again for attending! :)
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  Posted by Ruth Hartmann, Seattle, Washington | Jul 24, 2008

  What a fun event, Nancy! Thanks for hosting it! And thanks to everyone for the funny stories and great biz ideas!