Don’t Tell Me How Funny You Are

"Comedy Club從零開始" used courtesy of 南宮博士

For all I know you’re reading this and you’re HILARIOUS, but in my experience, most people who have to tell you how funny they are just aren’t funny. Did George Carlin talk about being funny? No. He told jokes (satirical observations actually, but let’s not split hairs here). For me, build-ups run the risk of missing their payoff.

That doesn’t mean I haven’t encountered a bunch of funny people in my life who aren’t doing it professionally. I’ve met a bunch. Since I started with social media, I’ve met an unbelievable amount of witty, hilarious people who make me laugh every day. But the people who say they’re funny tend to strike me as trying really hard to live up to a label they’ve given themselves. I would have been the most popular guy at my school if I could get away with that trick (here’s a hint as to how that one turned out: I played Dungeons & Dragons and took “friends” to prom).

Is there anything worse than listening to the “act” of someone who claims to be the life of the party? It’s agonizing. I would rather watch Phantom Menace on a loop than sit through an amateur Shecky Green open mic night set. You can label yourself all you want, but in the end your actions will speak far louder than your words. You just can’t fake it. People like you for who you are, NOT who you think you are.

*SPOILER ALERT* – I’m about to tie it in to business (See? I am a nerd. I totally own it, though, so it’s cool.)

It’s the same way for businesses – instead of coming in claiming to be an “expert”, just show me your expertise, and then you won’t have to label yourself as such, because I’ll do it for you, which is WAY more powerful. Just concentrate on being yourself; the things you know and the attributes you have are going to show through. Demonstration trumps Talk(iation) every time. If you find ways to demonstrate excellence online, people will notice, tell other people, and you’ll be neck deep in a social media for business love-fest before you know it.

Trust me – I’m a hilarious expert who acts as a knowledgeable guru to top minds. Also, I TOTALLY have a hot date for prom. She lives in Russia.

Tags: Comedy, Social Media