How Comedy Teaches Us to Get on People’s Good Side

In sales, getting on someone’s good side is everything. You can have the best product in the world, but if you don’t connect with your prospect, the deal won’t land.

That’s why sales teams can learn a surprising amount from stand-up comedy. Comedians are masters at winning people over quickly, reading the room, and turning scepticism into trust. Their success depends on it — and the skills they use on stage are the same ones sales professionals need in every client interaction.

Why do comedians know how to win people over?

Because they have no choice. If a comedian doesn’t connect with an audience within seconds, they’ve lost the room. That pressure forces them to master three skills that salespeople also rely on:

Reading the room — picking up on mood, energy and body language
Adapting delivery — shifting tone, style or content on the fly
Building trust fast — showing authenticity so people lean in, not away

Sound familiar? These are the same skills that top-performing salespeople use every day.

What lessons can sales teams learn from comedy?

Start with warmth. A smile, a funny observation, or a humanising detail can lower defences instantly.
Find common ground. Comedians thrive on shared experiences; sales teams can do the same by empathising with customer challenges.
Handle objections like hecklers. Comics don’t get defensive — they diffuse tension with humour. Sales teams can adopt the same mindset when handling tough questions.
Make it memorable. Laughter creates emotional resonance. Prospects may forget the numbers, but they’ll remember the story that made them feel good.

Which comedy speakers are good for sales teams?

Marc Hogan – Known for combining stand-up with sales insight, Marc shows how humour builds rapport and drives results. 3M UK & Ireland praised him for “the perfect combination of a light-hearted, funny and amusing speech related to our sales teams and our business needs.”

Beth Sherman – Emmy Award-winning comedy writer and keynote speaker, Beth delivers Pitch Perfect: How to Sell With Relevance, Impact and Personality. She teaches sales teams how to sell with authenticity and flair.

Cally Beaton – Sharp, professional and witty, Cally uses her corporate leadership background to show how humour makes leaders and salespeople more relatable.

Alfie Moore – A former police officer turned comedian, Alfie draws parallels between policing, problem-solving and persuasion. Perfect for client-facing audiences.

Dr. Phil Hammond & Dr. Kwame Asante – Both practising doctors and comedians, they show how humour helps teams communicate under pressure and build trust.

Angie Belcher & Bennett Arron – Experts in storytelling and communication, they help sales teams see how to make complex messages simple, engaging and impactful.

Toni Kent – Turns everyday experiences into witty, relatable lessons on leadership, culture and growth. A fantastic speaker for audiences who need energy and perspective.

Papa CJ – Internationally acclaimed comedian who blends humour with insights into communication and leadership. Especially relevant for global, multicultural sales teams.

Nigel Risner – Not a stand-up comic, but his keynotes are jam-packed with one-liners, humour and straight-talking wisdom. Nigel specialises in showing sales teams why some brands and products fly, while others flop — always with humour that keeps audiences laughing and learning.

Why book a comedy speaker for a sales event?

Because sales isn’t just about numbers — it’s about people. The ability to get on someone’s good side, to connect quickly and authentically, is often the difference between winning and losing a deal.

At The Speakers Agency, our Comedy Speakers give sales teams practical tools to read the room, build trust, handle objections and leave a lasting impression. And because they deliver those lessons with humour, they stick.