Buzz
I'm not great at telling stories. If I have enough time to write, I can turn a personal experience into a decent narrative, but in person, I tend to fall apart. Every time I try to tell a 'funny story,' even when I follow Mytour’s storytelling tips, I watch my audience’s expressions freeze as the story hits its unsatisfying conclusion. So, I took advantage of my journalist status and asked a few comedians for free advice: How do you fix a joke that’s just not landing?
One thing I forgot about comedians: They spend so much time around other comedians that they hear endless ‘funny’ stories. And honestly, they’re over it. So their best advice? Stop trying so hard.
'The key is self-awareness,' says Nicole Drespel, a UCB instructor and writer for The Chris Gethard Show. She suggests acknowledging when your story isn’t hitting, which could help you win back your audience.
But she also shares that she’s spent too many nights at tables full of comedians, 'where arrogant people with status dominate the conversation like we’re all extras in the unaired pilot of their life. They might deserve for their story to flop.' So, if you notice you're rambling on too much, follow her advice:
Be ready to walk away from a bad situation. You’re not putting on a performance. Nobody’s paid to hear this. You’re just a person having a conversation, so don’t treat your audience like they’re trapped in a show they can’t leave. If they start resenting you, you’re never going to win them back.
Josh Gondelman, writer for stand-up and Last Week Tonight, also recommends quitting when needed:
If the story’s falling flat, cut your losses. Ask others questions instead! That’s the essence of good conversation – it’s not about being the funniest person in the room.
This answer might not shock you, given that Josh is a famously polite guy who’s so genuinely curious about others that conversing with him feels like an interview. When a professional “funny story” expert tells you ‘your funny story isn’t the center of attention,’ it’s probably time to take their advice.
I’m not usually a fan of “quick fixes” like ‘just stop doing that,’ but in this case, it feels like a relief. If you don’t have zany stories to tell, don’t force them—nobody’s going to miss them. Just ask other people questions until you find their great stories. But if you’re dead set on improving your own, check out our other advice and work on it until people are eager to listen.
