This has got to be the most common comment that I’ve had when I’ve revealed that I’ve done a stand-up comedy turn. Closely followed by “Why?”

If public speaking is the number one most dreaded thing in the population (which it may be, I’ve not checked any stats) then trying to make people laugh whilst doing it has to at least triple the fear factor. Most people worry that the audience will laugh when they’re not meant to and that there’ll be a deadly silence when the presenter cracks a joke.

I get it. But when you do make people laugh, deliberately, it’s such a buzz.

There are many reasons why I make a dreadful stand-up comedian:

• I’m not great at late nights and don’t really drink that much
• I generally live a pretty normal life (you don’t get many laughs without trauma)
• I have a house, job, husband and a cat

But I didn’t let that stop me! I did a stand up course because even I’m bored of my presentations at work and this seemed like a good way to be able to jazz them up. Even if you decide not to perform at the end of a course you will still have a lot of fun along the way. It’s not all laughs though, you’ll get more out of it if you put some work into it.

If a course isn’t for you, there are many newcomers nights at venues so sign up and give it a go. Once you get your first laugh, you’ll want to go back for more.

To find out how I got on there’s a link here

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