Stand-up Speaking Coaching
What Stand-Up Comedy Can Teach You About Speaking & Presenting
Ever wished you could structure your message for impact, create funny moments, recover gracefully after a misstep, or deal more more confidently with tough questions? Turns out, stand-up comedy might be your secret weapon.
In my sessions I explore what stand-up comedians know about storytelling, humour, human connection, timing, and bouncing back from awkwardness that everyone can use in work and life.
I’ll dive into powerful tools from the world of stand-up comedy — including misdirection, rule-of-three, recovery lines and comic framing — and how they can be applied to real-life scenarios like presentations, public speaking and pitching.
I will explain how to structure a story, how to write and deliver funny lines, why playfulness is a powerful antidote to tension, how a well-timed joke (or even just a lighter tone) can defuse conflict, and how comedy helps us handle hecklers – both literal and metaphorical. I’ll also shares practical ways to rehearse dealing with difficult questions, build confidence, and find your voice — all without having to step onto a comedy club stage.
Whether you're a team leader, a creative, a coach, or simply someone who wants to communicate more effectively, listen more actively, and recover when things go wrong, this coaching offers surprising and valuable takeaways.
Below hear me on two podcasts discussing how comedy skills can be superpowers in all kinds of speaking and presenting.
ONE TO ONE COACHING
What my One-to-One Clients Say
One-to-One Speaking Sessions
FREE 15 mins Session
ON ZOOM This is an introductory chat for me to find out your needs and for us to discuss how I can help you. I will also offer some practical tips within this session too.
BOOK
Speaking Session
ON ZOOM I help speakers in all sorts of contexts hone their message and their delivery, including business presentations, science talks, book tours and TEDx talks. You can send me script/video in advance.
Hour session:
£75
Rehearsal Session
IN PERSON If you want even closer attention to your delivery with a rehearsal in person, I can book sessions in London or Stroud, Glos. I can also come to you. Please contact me to discuss.
CONTACT
Podcasts
What You'll Learn
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How to structure a story, a joke, a message for maximum impact.
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You don’t have to be confident and charming to use humour.
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Recovery lines help you bounce back when things go wrong.
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Naming the awkward moment can win the room.
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The three-repeat rule keeps you calm and in control.
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Zoom meetings work better when you treat them like real conversations.
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Lightness can be your secret weapon in tough situations.
This is for you if you are looking to improve your communication skills, navigate difficult questions, handle conflict with more ease, or become a more engaging public speaker.
Speaking Directing
I have directed many talks and shows for speakers. I can direct you too!
I directed Caroline Goyder on the content and delivery of her TEDx talk that now has over 10 million views. See the still from the video where Caroline points to the heart!
I directed author Kieran Setiya ahead of a book tour where he was speaking about his book "Life is Hard: How Philosophy Can Help Us Find Our Way".
I directed stand-up mathematician Matt Parker in multiple talks and performances, including the show tying in with his best selling book, Humble Pi.
I can direct you too! What does it entail? This blog explains how I work with writer/performers and this applies to all kinds of speakers too.
Corporate Speaking & Writing Workshops
Business Training
I deliver unique workshops for business that coach your team to be authentic, humorous and inspiring in speaking and pitching.
I also coach comedy writing for creatives. And your team can learn stand-up for incredible speaking skills!
Practical and immediately useful training. My business clients include The & Partnership, McCann, Channel 4 and BBH.
Image: Me arriving to deliver a pitching workshop at Superheroes Agency, Amsterdam. (They seemed to have a robot receptionist!)
Carter Jackson,
DigitasLBi
"Briefed to bring presentation tips, insights and a bit of levity to our global meetings, Chris just delivers in spades. He's a great communicator and eminently clever - easy to brief and completely reliable. He thoroughly impressed middle and executive management alike - and that makes me look good!"
Martin Reed,
BBH
"Chris put together a great afternoon stand-up comedy workshop for the student group I work with. He showed an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of comedy and his wisdom will do so much to help build confidence in the young people I work with. So much energy and positivity in the room, everyone responded really well to his guidance and exercises. Hoping to book him again soon. Thank you Chris, an unforgettable afternoon!"
Telefonica workshop attendees
"Really enjoyed today's session: certainly a very different way of looking at presenting and engaging an audience. Simple concepts which are memorable, and good fun also."
"How would I imagine that comedians’ techniques could help me communicate more effectively? Great session and very different but relevant"
"Loved it! More please!!"
