http://www.bradlaughs.com Humor, motivation, comedy, humor techniques and musings from a guy who\'s funny for a living. Brad Montgomery\'s Humor Helper. Wed, 14 May 2008 14:50:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I blogged about the importance of creating customized and localized jokes and humor for professional speakers. I had a few speakers and want-to-be-speakers contact me about that post. Ok, here it is: check out the video of the cheese jokes in this YouTube video: ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/05/14/cheese-curds-minnesota-video/ Not in Minnesota anyway. I was recently working in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic (How cool is That?!). Ok, so far, no big deal. I landed in Minneapolis and made the drive to Rochester. Again, so far no big deal. In the middle of the trip between Rochester and ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/05/12/speakers-shall-not-joke-about-cheese-curds/ Ok, I admit it. I enjoy some of my motivational speaker jobs more than others. Working with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota was one of the dates that I loved. Why? There were several reasons. I really enjoyed that I got a tour of the Mayo ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/05/09/motivational-speaker-mayo-on-the-side/ Check out this YouTube video footage of me testing my jokes and humor in Minnesota at the Mayo Clinic In my job as a motivational speaker, I feel strongly that customized humor is an CRUCIAL way to "connect" with the audience. The following article was written (and posted at Speaker Net ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/05/06/customized-humor-how-can-you-be-sure-it-is-funny/ I just got a great note from my client, FBLA Wyoming. It was great being your motivational speaker. folks. Thanks for the kind words! (Read about my experience with these high school students and the keynote here.) What's my point? If you're looking to hire motivational speakers or humorists ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/05/05/raving-fans-fbla-liked-me/ I recently returned from California where I attended the National Speakers Association convention. I had many highlights, but one of them was seeing my good friend and and one of my fellow Colorado speakers Sarah Michel do a concurrent session. She taught the audience how to increase the interactivity in ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/28/top-professional-speakers-forced-to-stand-on-their-heads/ Most of my work is doing keynotes in the corporate and association market. But ... Why do I like being a high school speaker? There are a ton of reasons, but one of them is Skills USA. This is a terrific group of high school (and ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/25/my-favorite-type-of-audience/ I just spoke at the Colorado Association of Child Advocates. They were having an appreciation event for their volunteers and needed a Colorado motivational speaker to fire up their troops, communicate a feeling of appreciation and hope, and do it all in a laugh-out-loud funny way. I was honored to ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/23/children-advocates-laugh-at-children/ I've recently blogged about the Presidential race and about American Idol. My pal, Colorado - based Andrew Hudson sent me this great combo of the two concepts: In this day of YouTube, I think it would be awesome. And more than a little funny. What do you think? ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/17/president-as-american-idol/ Check for a ton of legitimate testimonials about the keynote speech or breakout session. Hey! And why you're at it, check out this cool video from a recent trip I took to Wyoming to speak to the FBLA. Being a motivational speaker is fun...but this group ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/16/how-do-you-pick-a-youth-or-high-school-speaker/ I recently saw the movie Little Miss Sunshine which features Greg Kinnear as a character who is a motivational speaker totally down on his luck. Throughout the film, he desperately tries to sell his "9 steps" success method, and, though his steps are good in theory, but this guy ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/13/motivational-speakers-suck-sometimes/ I was just working at San Juan College in New Mexico. They wanted a motivational speaker for this "in service day" who could fire up their troops, but then stay and work more in depth with the group about how specifically these hard working staffers could ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/09/in-service-day-at-new-mexico-college-ruined-by-laughter/ I have a pet peeve: I hate it when reporters, speakers, and even bloggers don't reveal who they are voting for in the presidential race. Who's it gonna be? Hillary? Obama? McCain? Yes, I understand some people think that if I endorse one candidate or the other, ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/04/my-presidential-choice-revealed/ I'm just back from Farmington, New Mexico where I spoke to a wonderful group of staff at San Juan College. It was an in-service day, and my job was to motivate this group of hard working staffers, give them a chance to turn into a stronger team, and to ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/04/01/play-doh-explosion-creative-college-staff-laughs-through-it/ How do you take 400+ high school kids and make them feel like a million bucks by doing good? The answer was found in Wyoming where I was a motivational speaker for the FBLA — Future Business Leaders of America. (It's a youth group on steroids.) Let's be honest... ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/28/wyoming-high-school-kids-in-trouble-for-doing-good/ I just got off the phone with our Commander in Chief. We first talked baseball, kids, and even a tad about nicknames. He's a chatter! (We stayed away from those pesky subjects of the war, the economy and that silly "consumer confidence.") But it turns out ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/21/president-bush-called-me-today/ I'm a magician and proud of it. But.... There was recently a great National Public Radio radio show about magic that I loved. Link. In this very cool call-in show, one of the many topics they cover is whether or not magicians are artists. I'm not sure... in many ways ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/16/are-magicians-artists-or-paint-by-number-fakes/ Wouldn't that be funny? But of course it isn't the truth. The real story was that a while back I worked for a bunch of Microsoft managers in Dallas recently. You can check out the details of this presentation here. What's better than being a motivational speaker? Being ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/12/microsoft-speaker-in-trouble-for-mentioning-google/ How would I choose a motivational speaker or humorist speaker? Oh, so many things I'd check! I'd want to know that, if he uses humor, is he really funny? I'd like to know if humor is involved, is it business-safe? Is it appropriate? Will it get me fired? I'd ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/06/how-do-you-know-if-your-speaker-is-any-good/ I was recently in California at conference of the National Speakers Association when I had the chance to see a long-time pal, Steve Spangler speak for the entire group. I hate him. Steve is one of my fellow Colorado speakers. He and I met in high school when we ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/03/01/motivational-speakers-i-hate-this-guy-most/ Or: Yes Brad, You Can Smile in Spanish. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A SMILE I spent three weeks with my family in Guatemala over the holidays. (What can I say? I have a great job.) I learned about a million things: Spanish, ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/24/smiling-as-a-second-language/ Check with past clients.   Or... short of that... check for testimonials.  LOTS of testimonials. Why is it important? If I were choosing among motivational speakers, corporate comedians, or humorists, the #1 thing I'd want to know is my speaker has a long list of happy clients, and DID THEY LIKE ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/19/how-to-choose-motivational-speakers/ I was recently on a coaching call helping a fellow motivational speaker, William Reed beefing up the amount of humor he uses in his keynote speeches. What made it fun is that we did it via video conference.But what made it REALLY fun was that for a moment, the ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/15/clown-nose-ruins-video-web-conference/ I'm just now back from Orlando, Florida where I spoke with about 950 members of the Air Force Sergeants' Association. I love working in Orlando. And I love working with military audiences, but this group was a total hoot. There were a long list of highlights. Here's ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/11/does-the-air-force-need-motivational-speakers/ I'm kidding. But it was close. :) Last week I was in Dallas, Texas speaking to a group of Microsoft Partner Account Managers. I was hired to facilitate a discussion on how to make their attitudes about their jobs more positive and therefore more productive. I had ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/06/microsoft-fires-motivational-speaker-for-joking-about-blackberry/ A Colorado magician pal just sent me this cool mind reading trick that seems to work better on the internet than it ever would be in person. It's cool. What do you think? Is it magic? (No doubt a clever magician wrote it.) Cheers! http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/02/02/magicians-can-be-fooled-too/ (I left her name and details off —'cause it just seemed right.) Thanks so much KB. You made my day. And reading emails like this is the main reason why I love my job. YOU rock! How cool is that?! If you want to learn what KB is talking about ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/01/16/can-singing-help-with-depression-random-acts-of-birthday-ness/ I'm just back from my motivational speaker gig (or whatever you call it!) for a great group of classified staff in Tallahassee, Florida. One of my favorite things about every job 'including this one in Florida’ was watching the "process" of the audience changing from a quiet, indifferent ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/01/11/how-to-cheat-at-bingo-and-what-that-has-to-do-with-florida-speakers/ Recently on a trip to speak in Las Vegas, Nevada I had a lousy travel experience. (Can you say, "United Airlines Stinks?") I was bumped off a flight the night before, was back early in the morning for a replacement flight, was doomed to a middle seat ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2008/01/02/thank-god-for-kids-denver-and-motivational-flight-attendants/ Yes, I did sneak in. No, I didn't get caught. On a recent road trip I was flying from a speech in Grand Junction, Colorado to a speech in Montana, and had to lay over for 5 long hours in Denver's Airport. As you might know, United Airlines has a ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/29/motivational-speaker-caught-sneaking-into-uniteds-red-carpet-club/ It's watching the audience change from the beginning of the speech to the end of the experience. Today I spoke for a bunch of social worker types (awesome people!) in Grand Junction, Colorado. These people work hard with out enough money, thanks, or laughs. So my mission (using ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/24/the-best-part-about-being-a-motivational-speaker/ I just am back from a job in Las Vegas where I was hired to be their humorist motivational speaker. After a quick conversation with my client about the costs of the microphones, of the coffee services, of the snacks, and the bottles of water, I had an ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/19/motivational-speakers-fees-are-cheaper-than-the-coffee/ I'm just back from a speaking at an event in California that went well in spite of the client's best efforts. Let me explain. I was hired for a corporate group who had 300 of the most important people in the room for my program. These were crucial business ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/14/motivational-speaker-sabotaged/ I'm just now back from Orlando, Florida where I spoke with about 950 members of the Air Force Sergeants' Association. I love working in Orlando. And I love working with military audiences, but this group was a total hoot. There were a long list of highlights. Here's ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/10/air-force-shoots-down-motivational-speakers/ Can You Buy Happiness? Only if.... Ok, I admit that this idea is the next thing on my list. I haven't done it...yet. I mentioned earlier in this blog that I admire people who anonymously buy drinks or even dinner for strangers. A guy in one of my recent audiences in ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/12/04/youre-an-idiot-if-you-think-money-cant-buy-happiness/ The only thing I regret is that I didn't think of this first. My kids are too big now (or are they? CAN you tape a ten year old to the wall with a roll of tape?) Ok, the challenge is on. I'll see which one of my ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/11/28/duct-tape-your-baby-did-i-just-say-that/ For any doubters about the power of humor (and it's relation to business and the "bottom line") read on: According to the November, 2007 issue of the Harvard Business Review, one of the ways to build the brain and exercise "cognitive fitness" is to "Read Funny Books." "Humor promotes insight and enhances ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/11/23/humor-is-good-for-you-according-to-harvard/ I'm just back for a speaking for a group of fine folks in North Dakota. They wanted more than just a motivational speaker: they wanted somebody to come and facilitate some actual change. I was jazzed about the program...and even more jazzed now. Check out this cool ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/11/19/humor-works-in-fargo-north-dakota/ I was working with group of government employees for the State of Colorado when they told me about "THE ROCK." (To be honest, I cannot remember which client it was... I think it was the Colorado Housing Authority.) Here's the idea: When somebody in the office does something ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/11/08/motivational-speaker-hit-by-a-rock/ I'm just back from Fargo, North Dakota where I spoke to some wonderful educators who needed a lift. I had a huge challenge: My goal was to make them laugh (sure), motivate them (oh, yeah) and get them fired up (good). But in addition to all of those ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/10/22/how-can-motivational-speaker-get-people-to-actually-change/ I often use this blog to talk about motivational speakers and humor and... But in this case, isn't this cool photo just cool enough to make it worth the visit. I mean, come on! This is cool! It's funny! Who can get any work done with so many ways to procrastinate!? [ Need ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/10/03/mona-lisa-was-a-motivational-speaker/ Here's a REALLy funny practical joke that could get you fired. Humor in the workplace? You can count on it if your from a company I recently worked for in Kentucky. (I'm gonna leave their name off this post, because this idea is a tiny bit.. er ...near the edge, if ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/10/03/this-office-practical-joke-will-get-you-fired/ Procrastinate at the office! This is so totally cool. Count the number of people? Does it change? Why? What's my point? I don't have one, except to say that sometimes, isn't it enough for us to have fun for fun's sake? Isn't it enough sometimes to say, ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/30/stop-working-procrastinate-with-this-cool-er-thing/ In my last post I wrote of searching for beta testers for my How to Be a Comedian program, Humor College. We had a bunch of really fun entries, but none were better than this one... it made me laugh. Dear Mr. Montgomery, We the daughters of Daniel Moirao and would like ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/23/humor-college-competition-this-cracked-me-up/ If you want to know how to be a funny professional speaker or how to be a comedian, then you'll want to read on! We're nearly ready to launch The Humor College. It's going to be AWESOME, but I need your help and am willing to pay for it. [This is a new ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/14/enter-contest-get-funnier-save-150/ I have a guilty pleasure. Every now and then I get the urge, and I just can't stop myself. I've got to do it... But I could stop at any time. I can. Probably. Maybe. I like to watch. I really like it. I ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/10/motivational-speaker-exposes-himself-as-voyeur/ Finally, We Figure Out if the Glass is Half Full or Not? I stayed up all night, did some measurements, checked the humidity, the dew point and the rate of evaporation. Then, in the face of the pseudo science, I just decided: The glass IS half full. So, go turn that smile ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/05/finally-we-figure-out-if-the-glass-is-half-full-or-not-who-needs-a-speaker/ One of my favorite corporate comedians or comedian speakers is Kansas City comedian Mark Mayfield. He, like me, is a motivational humorist, but got his start in comedy. And it shows on stage... he is REALLY funny. I've known Mark for years since we did a showcase together. ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/09/01/corporate-comedians-are-lazy/ As I've mentioned before in this space, I've recently returned from San Diego, California where I attended the National Speakers Association national convention. Check out this cool photo of two of my friends (and fellow motivational speakers) and I in between break out sessions. It's motivational ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/08/30/did-you-hear-the-one-about-the-three-motivational-speakers-who/ I'm back for speaking for the Tallahassee Community College, which is in (surprise!) Tallahassee, Florida. I spoke for the non-classified staff; pretty much every employee who is not faculty. This group was feeling depressed, suspicious and nervous because the budget for the college was dropping. They were worried about a ... http://www.bradlaughs.com/2007/08/27/florida-motivational-speaker-jokes-his-way-through-change/