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Connect Using Humor and Story

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Create Connection with your Audience without Hoping or Guessing.

Imagine how you would feel when people are cheering, applauding and saying ‘wow’ after your presentation.

What if you could give a speech and an audience member comes and says, “I felt you were just talking to me”.

Multiple Award winning speaker, Ramakrishna Reddy, presents the secrets, tools and devices that helped him create 18 laughs 3 applauses in a 7-minute persuasive speech in his 5th book ‘Connect with Humor and Story’. This is not theory. It’s absolute content based on his research, his experience and his testing.

In this book, you’ll learn:

How to convert a real world experience into a humorous story that can be delivered in a speech
How to synergize a story and speech structure by using SST technique
How to open a speech with a story in ‘the right’ way (many get it wrong all the time)
A proven thesis to maximize and virtually guarantee your success to create humor
Seven humor devices that you MUST know to leverage the humor creation process (if you know this, you can derive humor out of anything)
The best-kept secret to create the persuasive effect in the audiences mind (you might know what it is but you'll learn how to use it)
How to craft a message that does not look preachy yet persuade your audience (do this and you are going to Rock on stage)
What it takes to create applause during the course (not after) of the speech
Eleven Editing strategies that nobody teaches
Twelve Execution strategies that is rarely talked….
Buy this book NOW to create a connection with the audience through story and humor

Pick up your copy today by clicking the BUY NOW button at the top of this page

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Published January 1, 2016

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About the author

Ramakrishna Reddy

12 books7 followers

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5 stars
32 (30%)
4 stars
38 (36%)
3 stars
21 (20%)
2 stars
12 (11%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Joe.
44 reviews6 followers
January 17, 2020
Don't waste your time or money on this one. There are numerous other books that are written better and have better information (check my speech writing shelf). This book is a very specific self-analysis of one speech the author gave. There are some parts that break down how to use humor and in that regard are informative, but you can do better. I usually don't point this out, but mechanically it is not written well, containing numerous grammar errors. Very distracting.

Not sure how I was directed to this book. Probably an automatic Amazon recommendation. Rest assured, I will pay closer attention to those in the future.
2 reviews
April 15, 2024
This is a book written by a contest-winning speaker from Toastmasters, an international organization that teaches speaking and leadership skills. The author breaks down one of his contest winning speeches and shows the reader how to write and deliver their own speech. If you apply what he teaches, you'll be able to develop your own contest-worthy speech. I have read other books on speaking that aren't as clear and succinct and geared specifically towards writing and delivering a contest speech.
Profile Image for Jevgenij.
531 reviews13 followers
July 24, 2018
Good things in this book:
1. It's short and to the point.
2. There are examples to illustrate every point.
3. Some ideas are quite useful.

Bad things in this book:
1. It's written around pre-writing and _lots_ of editing. There is almost nothing regarding improv speaking.
2. All examples are taken from one story and often it feels that the advice was written around the story and not vice versa.
Profile Image for Melanie Wilson.
27 reviews14 followers
March 4, 2018
Some good information but hard to discern

Paragraphs aren’t separated, the English isn’t native, and the examples of humor don’t translate. I have no doubt the author is hilarious and there are good tips here, but much work is required to pull them out.
Profile Image for Helfren.
898 reviews10 followers
April 9, 2020
This book is insanely informative. People always write speeches but the author have something better in mind, this is what an expert of speeches look like. Inspiring to read especially the rule of three, expected, repetition of the expected and finally the unexpected.
Profile Image for Kathy Jo.
58 reviews20 followers
May 21, 2017
Tackled the audiobook version. Good content and tips. Narration was so-so.
Profile Image for Jason Deuman.
36 reviews2 followers
October 11, 2018
Decent overview

This text is a decent primer for integrating humor into public speaking opportunities. I would encourage readers to check it out, but don’t stop here. Keep reading.
Profile Image for Rick Chua.
1 review
June 11, 2019
Great book!

Enjoyed reading this book very much. It really touches on area to create an impact on humor. Good job Rama. Thank you!
Profile Image for Johnson Kandi.
2 reviews
May 3, 2022
This books has some very powerful techniques on creating laughing lines and using stories to engage and connect better. Highly recommended
Profile Image for Alvaro.
153 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2025
To learn how public speaking

The book is a catalog if Interesting tools on how to make a better speach with humour and being persuasive.
Profile Image for Don Gerstein.
750 reviews99 followers
January 10, 2017
Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author.

Mr. Reddy presents his topics in an easy-to-learn style, starting with easy tasks and progressing toward the more difficult aspects of creating a persuasive speech. He has great ideas and anyone wishing to put in the time can improve their skills by using the advice in this book. There are also links in the book. The author gives away a free audiobook, “Public Speaking Topic Secrets,” and another link will connect you to a video of the author giving the speech he talks about in the book. I believe it is good for all aspiring speakers to watch this video, as Mr. Reddy’s presentation is as powerful as his speech.

If I could have wished for anything, it would have been for more examples. I realize that the author wished to concentrate on the “Magic” speech, but the constant use of the same lines and passages got old quickly. Mr. Reddy talks about Toastmasters and contests, so I would imagine he has other speeches prepared that he could have used.

Additionally, for a book that deals with the proper use of words, I am not sure why there are so many errors. If I had to guess, I think that the book was translated into English but was not edited after the translation was completed. There were many instances of words missing (“My name in passport say…” or “Few weeks ago…”), and the punch line of one of the jokes would have fallen flat (After saying the author’s full name – Ramakrishna Reddy Veerappa Narayana Reddy – the customs agent said “Sir, it seems you have used all the alphabets in English language”). Substitute letters for the word alphabets, and it makes sense and would get a laugh. Unfortunately, this joke was repeated at least five times throughout the book.

To be fair, I understood what Mr. Reddy was trying to convey, and he did offer some good points that I plan on using. Because there is value, I recommend the book for anyone who wishes to become better at speaking in front of people. I also hope that Mr. Reddy edits his book and reissues it in the near future.

Edited after the review was submitted: I sent an email to the author telling him if he edited the book, I would be willing to take a look at it again. He replied that his editor had pointed out all the grammatical issues, but because that's how the speech was originally given, Mr. Reddy felt he would be "...manipulating the speech for the sake of the book." It's hard to fault someone for being ethical, and because I took off a star for the perceived grammatical errors, I felt it was only right to edit the review and add one star. Raised from three to four stars.
Profile Image for Venky Iyer.
Author 3 books7 followers
May 22, 2016
This is a review of the book Connect Using Humor and Story: How I Got 18 Laughs 7 Applauses in a 7 Minute Persuasive Speech by Ramakrishna Reddy.
I did not buy the book, but got an Advance Review Copy from the author. I am considerably late with the review because of compelling personal reasons.
This is my first interaction of any kind with the author, who gratified me by requesting me for a review about a month and a half ago. I have no dealings with him other than this particular request of his to review his book, and my acceptance. I gain nothing whatsoever from reading the book or writing this review, and I would have lost nothing from declining to read or review.
The book is about becoming a better speaker, a better communicator, by incorporating stories and humor in presentations. The book talks about techniques that enable to presenter to make the story gripping, and techniques that enable the presenter to make the humor subtle and appealing.
There is no doubt that the book is written by a man who is at home in his subject. It is written in depth: the passion in the author shows through.
However, I have two issues with this book.
One, the writing is rather disjointed, and terminology is used that compels you to often leaf back through pages to remind yourself what a particular term means. This lacuna could have been sorted out by including a glossary.
Two, the writing is straightforward, but lacks the humor it sets out to describe, except, of course, in references and citations. The book might be even better if the author had imparted some humor across its length.
All said and done, was the read worth it?
A definite yes.
31 reviews
January 14, 2017
Step by step Guide to improving your public speaking technique
This is an easy to digest book, which shows examples of
using persuasion and humor in public speeches and how to connect them
seamlessly together. For example, don’t introduce a humorous anecdote by
flagging it up and saying, “Let me tell you a funny story”. You need to segue
effortlessly from one thing to another to be a sophisticated speaker. In the
very important chapter entitled, ‘Twelve Execution Strategies, he lists the
following essentials in connecting with story and humor in persuasive speech:
Warm Up Your Audience; Be Clear with your Laugh Lines; Never Say it’s Coming;
Internalise the Content; Be Intelligible; Keep Listener in Visual Mode;
Modulate your Voice; Internal Excitement; Be Cool with Hecklers; Gaining Back
train of Thought; Turn Distractions into Humor; Review to Improve.
23 reviews1 follower
January 18, 2017
This is not just another ‘how to’ give good speeches book. The book in itself is a really good speech. When I listened to(read) the speech that got him 18 laughs and 3 applauses. I said to myself ‘Wow, I want to be like him!’. His tips on how to successfully combine humour, story and persuasion into speeches are really something to take home. Famous words: ‘habits create magic”.

The book is simple, clear and well written. The ideas behind it is coming from an experienced author. This is evident, not just from the number of awards he has won but also based on the points he broad out. It is clear that this guy knows his stuff. Based on his build up in the book, you cant help but to have confidence in him and want to follow his prodding. The video at the end was a huge plus, watching him in action.

Great book! Great pointers! Great Speech!
Profile Image for Archie.
422 reviews5 followers
January 4, 2017
Humor is speech is the basis of the book as I understand. The author seems to have mastered the craft and have poured in, many tips and techniques with examples to help readers create a funny speech in an enduring way. Being funny is no easy task, and this book takes steps and is informative to help make this task a bit easier.
The step-by-step approach taken by the author helps in following the concept and the flow of the book. Additional examples and videos is a bonus. The book intends in some way addresses various audiences and settings from the large crowd in the auditorium to the small setting of the coffee table. All in all easy to read and example oriented book that is inspiring and informative.
191 reviews2 followers
January 8, 2017
The author’s aim with this book is to show public speakers how to successfully combine humour, story and persuasion into their speeches. The book is easy to read, set out in clear chapters covering the various components of successful public speaking. The author clearly knows what he is talking about as he has won various public speaking competitions. The only drawback, I find, with a book about humour is that sometimes the examples of humour are not very funny. Unfortunately, I found this to be the case with this book. My sense of humour is obviously not the same as Ramakrishna Reddy’s! Never mind – there are very many useful tips in this book and he includes a taped case study speech video link at the end to fully illustrate his points.

Profile Image for Payal Sinha.
Author 7 books23 followers
January 3, 2017
Connect Using Humor and Story is very informative and inspiring piece of non-fiction. The writing style of the author is great and connects instantly with the readers. I have read several articles on dialogues and speeches, and found Reddy's work really good. He has done his homework well and compels his readers the same way that he claims to do his listeners, that is enthrall them. Reddy also shares many secrets of his successful career and as a conscious reader I hope to learn some of his tricks.
Profile Image for Daniella Araujo.
40 reviews3 followers
March 29, 2017
Quite an impressive amount on content packed into a tiny and easy to read book. It delivers exactly what it promises. I am glad I read it and highlighted useful passages for later reference.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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