Many people who send out promotional email, or have a publication

such as an online newsletter, will ask if they should include

'humor". Well, there is no easy answer to this question.

Some will say that "humor" lightens things up a bit, and lets

people know you have another side to your personality. They feel

it is a refreshing break from the serious message you are

delivering. Others say it is distracting and should never be

used.

So where do you "draw the line"?

Humor can be used in two places. It can be within the body of

the article or as a "stand alone" item.

Let's first examine "humor" within the body of the article. This

can be the most risky. Unless you have a good sense of humor and

good writing skills, you should probably avoid its use. Some of

your readers will not have a sense of humor, and could easily

take offense at what you say. Especially avoid sarcasm as people

may think it is directed at them.

You should also avoid the use irony, where you use words to

convey the opposite of their literal meaning. Some will not

recognize it as irony, and will think you are proposing what the

words actually say. This can get you in a lot of trouble.

If you use "stand alone" humor, give it a title such as "Joke of

the Day", which clearly separates it from your article. Once

again, you have to be careful. Remember, your online publication

is on the "world-wide web", and will be read by people who may

have far different opinions of what is funny and what is not.

Things to avoid in all humor:

Never point your humor toward a specific group. What might be

funny in a "one-to-one" situation where you know the person,

could be highly offensive to someone else.

Never use vulgarity - especially the seven dirty words that

George Carlin used in his comedy sketch - they are anathema!

While adult jokes may indeed be humorous, they have no place in

an online publication where you have no control over who sees

it.

While vulgarity offends good taste or propriety, crudity, which

shows a lack of tact or refinement, runs a close second. A word

or phrase having a double meaning, especially when the second

meaning is risqué, should also be avoided. A double entendre can

actually spell double trouble.

So what kind of "humor" can you use?

This will, for the most part, be a judgement call on your part.

A good criteria that could be useful, is to make believe your are

talking to your local PTA, and want to tell a joke to put

everyone at ease. The teachers are there as well as the parents

and children of your child's classmates. If you can tell it

there without embarrassing anyone, it is probably a good bet for

you publication.

The best advice about the selection of humor, is that if there is

any doubt in your mind at all, don't use it.

Bob publishes the free weekly "Your Business" Newsletter

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