● It can help you get the attention of the audience.....a well told funny story will get their attention. If 10% of your audience are not paying attention and the other 90% start laughing, you'll have the attention of the entire group.

● To sell yourself. You appear more confident and persuasive when you use humor.

● To sell your message.

● Humor relaxes the audience.

● It will create an air of expectancy. Anticipation of fun.

● It increases retention.
Most people will forget exactly what you said, but they will remember you for how you said it...with humor. If you have a point to make and you use humor to make your point, there's a better chance that they will remember your point.

● Humor can be used to make a point.
Make your point to the audience, then tell a story that backs up the point and then go back to the point again. Even if your joke doesn't get a laugh, you act as if you are only telling the story to make the point.

● Humor helps you relax.
In the process of getting the audience to relax and be comfortable with you, you calm down, and reduce your tension and nervousness.