I don’t know about you. But 2016 has been one heck of a shit-head. I’m really sorry for cursing. I literally never swear but seriously what the heck just happened. From family illnesses, surgeries redundancies you name it, 2016 you’ve been a blast (and yes I’m being ironic!)
But whilst al this crap (sorry last curse word) has been going on, one thing that has remained has been my humour and my positive outlook on life. Seriously I think the Universe just wanted to test that I was as badass and headstrong as I told it I was. Hoping the bad stuff will leave me alone for a little while so I can go gung-ho in 2017.
When I was about 11 or 12, when all my girlfriends where starting to devour boys and make-up and shopping. I was over there in the corner thinking… “I don’t even like boys, they smell!”
Then I got all spotty and then I felt like the ugliest person in the world. No confidence, quiet, introverted. So quiet my teachers were totally gobsmacked that I managed to pass an exam to go to a good school.
I needed a tool in my arsenal to get through what at that time seemed like the rest of my life. I am fortunate to come from a family of subtly witty relatives. Not the extroverted stand on a stage and make people belly laugh, but the more, humble uplifting witty one liners. I seemed to have this gene. I could make people laugh in such a way that they almost didn’t realise I was the one making them laugh.
It’s in the name Beth Hewitt – Be Th[e] He Witt
Translated in to Be the one full of Witt!
HAHA
Sometimes I would get annoyed because I would say something, (not quite loud enough) and then the class clown would pick up my one liner, say it louder and take all the credit.
Grrrr!
Anyway, as I got older and my spots started to drop off, my humour stayed with me. As I went from job to job, new places and met new people, my humour muscle grew stronger and stronger. Learning to not just be funny, but knowing when and where to use it.
Back to today and I’m currently working through my Leonie Dawson shining life planners; focusing on the areas of my life that I to bring to the fore so I can be my most authentic self. I’ve learn that when I (and others) interject humour and true authentic voices into our content we get the best engagement.
After all, we only know how to be ourselves, so when we do that 100% of the time, we are our best shining selves.
And so in 2017 YOU WILL see more of the funny Beth content, interspersed with great information, and positive uplifting stuff that runs through my veins.
Anyway you came here to find out why you should inject humour into your blog posts so here comes the science…
Leigh Anne Jasheway is a stress management and humour expert and she’s written a really great post over at writers digest about how to mix humour-into your writing.
Leigh writes:
“You may think that when it comes to writing, humor is best used only in fiction or satire. But while we think of comedy in terms of exaggeration or fabrication, effective humor can be just as much about creative misdirection—engaging readers by taking them someplace they don’t expect to go—and subtly choosing metaphors and words that make readers giggle without even knowing why. And a smiling reader is one who’s paying attention and eager to read on.”
So the goal here is to create smiling eager readers! As a sociologist (I have certificate with my name on it to prove it!) Laughing can serve two key human functions. Helping to create a sense of ‘Tribes’ and ‘Community’ and reducing stress!
As bloggers, this is exactly what we should be trying to achieve. Creating communities of followers who know like and trust you.
You might also be trying to relieve stress and anxiety, by creating content that helps people understand something better. Content that shows your readers how to do something. Humour also makes things more memorable and helps you to stand out from the crowd which is a bonus for bloggers.
So why does humour work in blog posts?
Humour, makes people lower their defences and it catches people off guard. In a world where we are saturate by ads; humour breaks down those stuffy marketing practices. Plus, humorous blog posts have a greater chance of being shared by your readers. Think crazy cat video’s, memes, and gifs!
Marc Ensign over at Smart Blogger shares some great information about making an unexpected connection in a funny blog post. Being funny out of content is a great way to hold you audience’s attention and can even help when trying to make a serious point!
Marc says:
“When you mention something seemingly out of place, it brings with it a whole bunch of emotions and associations for free. It works great with lists where you have a few related points and then the last one is from another place entirely. The brain’s normal reaction to this kind of surprise is to find it kind of funny”
Here are my top tips for creating funny blog posts
- Make it match your audience – There are different kinds of funny. Your audience is used to a certain kind of you, so include your funny stuff at appropriate times. But remember to be tasteful.
- Make fun of yourself – Laughing at yourself is a sure-fire way to make people appreciate you even more. It takes a special kinda person to rise above failure or even bigger atrocities.
- Include memes and funny pictures – Use imagery, memes, gifs, video, sounds to make your content come to life. (If you want see a good example of how I did this check out my finest funny post here)
- Use made up words – I love making up words to get my message across. Its shows creativity and individuality.
- Have catchy headlines – A few of my own blog posts titles have included How to Catch a Giraffe, Holy Guacamole, and the Tomato Technique.
- Don’t go crazy silly! – Using humour in the appropriate places works well but If do need to have an all-out crazy blog post – get it all out in one big blow, then tame it down for a few weeks!
Most of all have fun and enjoy the process. If you find it funny others will too. Let me know what you enjoy most funny blog posts. Who are your favourite funny bloggers?
December 12, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Hello Beth!
I love this post girlfriend! Your tips for creating funny blog posts were interesting.. Made Up Words HUM?
Yeppers may have to give a few a try..
Thanks for sharing..
Chery :))
December 16, 2016 at 7:46 pm
So glad you enjoyed it Chery 🙂
December 18, 2016 at 5:16 pm
Hi Beth,
I agree, everything is better with a smile and the more the better 🙂
Love your list of tips and wishing you to be the happiest yourself in 2017.
December 18, 2016 at 5:39 pm
Hi Beth,
I enjoyed your article, particularly the part about your witty family and the one liners. That is definitely my sense of humor too! I come up with an idea and others share it. This is a little thing I saw on Auras that fits me to a tee ” These playful characters have a great sense of humor. They love to laugh and to make others laugh. They believe life is to be enjoyed. They like to live life freely and spontaneously. With a perpetual smile on their face, they remind people to not take themselves or their problems too seriously.” Great article.
December 18, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Great tips! Humour is a brilliant way to connect and engage with your audience. Thanks for the reminder and the tips.
December 19, 2016 at 5:41 pm
Hi Beth,
I love this post! 2016 was not so good to me when it came to health issues in my family and myself. Don’t you hate it when things like that slow you down? It can make you get all depressed, but with humor, we can just turn it around. Humor is a Godsend to me. Without it, I would be under the covers in my bed.
I do think that writing funny blog posts can do two things; keep things light and fun and also reach another human being.
I like the idea of made up words. David did that in a blog post and it was one of his best ones!
Looking forward to having some fun in 2017 with ya,
-Donna
December 19, 2016 at 9:57 pm
Hi Beth,
We all talk about readers engagement. Funny blog posts are really helpful in great way to make the user stick with the post till the end and engage.
Adding funny text lines, pictures and even videos can boost the user engagement. I really appreciate your tips.
December 20, 2016 at 9:55 am
Thank you Gaurav, I am glad that you enjoyed my posts about funny blog posts. I hope to see you here again.
Beth 🙂
December 20, 2016 at 9:56 am
Hi Donna,
Sorry to hear you’ve had a not so good 2016 as well. So many people are saying the same thing. Looking forward to having more fun with you too in 2017.
Love to you and David at Christmas time.
Beth 🙂
December 20, 2016 at 10:10 am
Thanks Ruth, and thanks for stopping by. I’ve just visted your site, looking forward to reading more of your posts. If you liked this one, feel free to join me in my blogging community https://simplebloggingnetwork.com/join-the-community
December 20, 2016 at 10:12 am
Hi Kathryn,
That sounds like me down to a Tee s well. Life certainly is to be enjoyed. Thank you for stopping by again. I hope you and your family have a wonderful festive season.
Beth 🙂
December 20, 2016 at 10:12 am
Hi Emi,
Thanks for your comment and wishing you a wonderful festive season also.
Beth 🙂
December 20, 2016 at 10:18 am
Hi Chery,
So glad that you enjoyed this post. Yes might make a list of made up words in 2017 lol! Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Beth 🙂
December 21, 2016 at 10:59 am
Interesting tips for creating funny posts. I agree with you, Beth Hewitt. Every blog should have a category for jokes or the blogs should have at-least a few funny posts. Because user enjoy reading funny stuff and it will also make the users to spend more time in your blog. Even adding funny and interesting titles can direct more traffic to the websites.
December 23, 2016 at 9:07 am
Hi Beth!
I love this post ! Your tips for creating funny blog posts were interesting.
Thanks for sharing..
December 27, 2016 at 7:03 am
Awesome tips…………! Humour is a brilliant way t to connect audience. Thanks for the reminder and the tips.
December 28, 2016 at 4:23 pm
Hi Beth, love this post! And I love the idea of injecting humour into your blog posts. And you are so good at it. It can be a bit dry sometimes, ploughing through seriously written posts, it’s refreshing to have a bit of a laugh at times. I love it when I unexpectedly come across an amusing anecdote in the middle of a post.
Enjoy the journey!
December 28, 2016 at 4:26 pm
Ok, so now I have a question about your theme and commenting. Firstly it won’t allow a surname, only a first name, which seems a bit odd, but wondering why no-one’s commentluv links are showing, apart from yours. I ticked the box that asks whether to show commentluv and it hasn’t shown it, yet (I do realise this might happen in a few minutes) but I can’t see any commentluv links for anyone else either and I’m sure some of them have it…odd.
Enjoy the journey!!
December 28, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Forget that last bit, commentluv now showing…how bizarre!
Enjoy the journey!
December 28, 2016 at 8:08 pm
Hi Mandy,
I’m sorry you’ve had a problem with my theme and comments. I’m really not sure what is wrong! I’ve updated everything and made sure there’s nothing out of date that might be clashing. Think I might have to find a new theme for the new year. Please let me know how you get on next time you are here.
Beth
January 2, 2017 at 4:04 am
Hi Beth:
Happy New Year.
Humor is so very important
In our lives
More so in the
Stress filled world that we live in
But writing posts that
Are humorous
Is not at all easy
BUT you have shared
AWESOME TIPS
On how to write humorous posts
Thanks for sharing.
Best wishes and regards.
Ved
January 2, 2017 at 5:36 pm
Beth I love this post. It put a smile on my face. I remember when I was being trained to blog and market online everything was so serious. It felt so stifling. I recall information that includes humor and/or analogies. The message comes through for me and I feel like I am getting to know the writer and how he/she thinks.
January 3, 2017 at 5:41 pm
Hi Lydia,
I am so glad that my post resonated with you. I think it’s really important to have a chuckle. It makes things less of a chore and more fun if we are building a business.
Beth
January 3, 2017 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Ved, for your kind words. All the best for your 2017. Not sure if you are aware but I also have a free blogging community that you are welcome to join if you’d like to be around likeminded bloggers https://simplebloggingnetwork.com/join-the-community.
Beth
January 7, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Hi Beth,
If we’ll look for it, there’s always a funny bit among the wreckage.
As writers, we’re mandated, yes… M-A-N-D-A-T-E-D, (not a gender slight), to flush out those parcels of humor that make life on Earth so bittersweet.
In other words, ‘show us the damn sociologist certificate’! Loved your post & look forward to more… Edward
January 8, 2017 at 10:34 pm
Totally fun post. If we have more fun than our readers will have more fun too 🙂
January 8, 2017 at 10:42 pm
Hi Beth,
Yes 2016 was a downer for lots of people – including me.
So…. I really welcome the idea of humorous blog posts from you and others.
I’m not great at humor myself – I just tend to ramble on – but I’ll give your tips a try. It would be good to ring the changes.
Joy – Blogging After Dark
January 14, 2017 at 2:30 am
Hi Beth,
I, too, am an introvert, often quiet but I am a very confident person. And if I broke out and wrote a ‘funny’ post, everyone would know that I had someone else write it.
January 16, 2017 at 1:46 am
Beth,
I read this post a few weeks ago and said I would write a funny post. Haven’t done it yet, but I will when I feel inspired. Making people laugh is wonderful and keeps them interested too.
Warmly,
Erica
January 25, 2017 at 8:57 pm
Hello Beth,
I have experienced in my life that when you are happy half of your problems gets solved naturally. If not, still those problems don’t look big when you ar happy.
I wrote a few funny posts, and got amazing response because everyone wants to laugh. 🙂
I always stay happy 🙂
Thanks for your tips as well.
February 1, 2017 at 9:40 pm
Hi Atish,
Thank you for your comment and it’s great to hear you have had a great experience writing funny blog posts in the past. I just visited blog and left a comment on your unblocking websites post. Great info. Not sure if you are interested but I run a free blogging community for bloggers if you ever wanted to join us. https://simplebloggingnetwork.com/join-the-community
Thanks again,
Beth 🙂
February 2, 2017 at 7:58 am
Hello Beth,
I will check the community soon.
December 31, 2017 at 7:58 am
Hi Beth,
It’s great to read your post. I was busy with my projects, that’s the reason I was inactive a bit, specially reading & commenting was completely off.
But Anyways, Thanks for the interesting & informative read. Keep up the good work and enjoy the holidays.
A Very Happy New Year Beth! Cheers
~ Donna