Comedy is a serious business. It has the purpose to entertain and make people laugh. And it isn’t as easy as it sounds. The comedians work hard to prepare for a gig. They put countless hours crafting their scripts and practicing them. In the end, it all comes to the moment on the stage. The curtains open, the lights are on and it is just the comedian, the microphone, and the audience.

To make it as a comedian a person must be very passionate about it. The same is the case with entrepreneurship. Comedians must be devoted to the job to make it work. Same comes for entrepreneurs. In both cases, it doesn’t all come to talent, but it comes to drive and passion.

Comedians are great public speakers. They must be. Even if they are not natural talents, they have managed to tame the stage fright. Entrepreneurs can learn a lot about public speaking from comedians and here are the three most important things we can learn from the masters of humor.

Preparation is the key!

Comedians spend months to work on a single gig in order to make it just right. They prepare not just the words, but also the whole presentation. They work not only on what they are saying but how they are saying it. How to stand, how to move on the stage, how to breath, where to pause – nothing of what we see on the stage is a coincidence. It is meant to be this way.

When you prepare your next investor pitch, practice everything – your tone of voice, your posture, your movement. The best way is to record yourself and watch and listen to the video after. It will help you see yourself in a different perspective and will allow you to make better adjustments in your presentation.

The first impression is everything!

“A smooth entrance makes for a smooth show”- Jerry Seinfeld

Comedians value strong starts. They know that if you don’t grab the attention of the audience from the beginning, you are up for a long and difficult ride. It requires time and a lot of experience to master the perfect way to make an appearance on a stage.

The way you start your presentation will determine the results from it. The investors want to see energy, passion, presence. It is important to practice your entrance. If you have the chance, explore the stage before the event begins. If you don’t have this opportunity, watch the presentations of the other entrepreneurs and see what you can do better. In the end, it is all about improvement!

Stay focused!

Have you ever seen a comedian who goes on the stage with a bunch of notes? Well, I doubt it. Comedians memorize their gigs but are also ready to improvise when the situation demands it. They tend to rely mostly on storytelling, not on dry jokes. You, as a pitcher, have an advantage! You have your presentation on the screen. But this does not mean that you should read everything that is written on it.

Make sure that the information you give the investors complements the information on the screen. Don’t put so much text in the slides – it will confuse the investors. They may just focus on the reading and to miss what you are saying. You need to be laser-focused on the presentation, so ditch all notes, stay away from the lectern and be natural.

Cover photo source: Coleen Simon / opensource.com