The best way to make an audience relax is to use a bit of humor.
Everyone enjoys a good laugh as long as it's actually a good laugh.
There are some guidelines to follow when incorporating humor into public speaking.
Ask any comedian, jokes aren't always funny, but when they are, it's a hit! It's easy to incorporate humor and the first place to start is personal experience.
Perhaps you have a story that relates to what you are talking about but it doesn't have to be the funniest thing that's ever happened to you.
It just needs to bring a smile to the face and in turn relax the audience.
Try your joke out on a smaller audience before you give your speech.
If they don't find it funny, it may be an issue with delivery or timing or it may be that it's just not funny! You need to be comfortable with whatever joke you are giving.
Delivering a joke nervously takes away from its effectiveness.
The audience will be more concerned with your anxiety level and less concerned with what you are saying.
Make sure the joke has something in common with the topic you are speaking about, don't just tell a joke for the joke's sake.
The audience may laugh, but then they'll probably spend some time thinking "where was he going with that" during the rest of your speech.
Don't set your joke up.
If you tell the audience you are about to tell a funny story, it can create added pressure for them to laugh.
Disingenuous laughter can often be just as bad as no laughter at all! Make sure the joke is short.
Long winded and super detailed jokes are often lost.
People don't want to have to take notes to get the punch line.
Jokes should just be quick piece added support.
Humor is just another tool in making effective speeches so use it to your advantage but make sure it flows effortlessly and naturally.
Over time, the use of humor will get easier.
Start out with just a little humor and build from there an eventually you may find yourself being the next Jerry Seinfeld!