Published on May 13, 2025 5 min read

Make People Laugh: 6 Simple Steps for a Great Funny Video

Humor is a curious thing. What cracks up one person might leave another staring blankly. But that’s the beauty of it—there’s no perfect formula. Still, if you want to make a funny video that actually makes people laugh and not just click away out of secondhand embarrassment, there are a few steps to guide you. It’s not about chasing viral fame. It’s about getting your ideas to land and creating something you're proud to share with friends. Let’s dive in.

How to Make a Funny Video in 6 Proven Steps

Know Who You’re Trying to Make Laugh

Humor doesn’t work in a vacuum. What’s hilarious to a group of high schoolers might fly straight over the heads of your coworkers. So, before hitting “record,” think about who the video is for. Is it for your friends? Online viewers? A family group chat? Each group has its own inside jokes, references, and tolerance for chaos. Tailor your humor accordingly.

This doesn’t mean you need to play it safe or stick to a checklist. It just helps to have a sense of your audience’s humor style. Dry? Go subtle. Slapstick? Go big. Don’t try to cover every style at once—nothing kills a joke faster than trying to please everyone.

Start with a Solid Premise, Not a Punchline

A funny video isn’t just a joke on camera. It needs structure—yes, even if it’s only a minute long. The best humor builds from a clear premise. That could be something as simple as “What if dogs ran job interviews?” or “Trying to make a smoothie with random stuff in the kitchen.” You’re not chasing perfection here. Just a single, strong idea that feels like it could go somewhere interesting.

Jot down a few quick thoughts before filming. Nothing elaborate—just something to keep you on track. Even improv comedians have a direction. You’re not trying to write a script for a movie, but having a general idea will save you from blank stares later when you’re editing footage that leads nowhere.

Timing Is Everything (And So Is Trimming)

There’s a strange truth in comedy: even the funniest idea can flop if it drags too long. Timing makes or breaks a joke. That includes pauses, reactions, and even how you cut the scenes.

While recording, don’t rush the delivery. Give moments space to land, but keep an eye on the rhythm. Think of it like music—if it feels offbeat, it probably is. When editing, be ruthless. Cut anything that doesn’t serve the joke or slows down the pace. A video that feels snappy will always be funnier than one that drags, even if the punchline is the same.

And here’s a little tip most beginners miss: leave a tiny bit of breathing room after the joke. A second of silence gives viewers time to react. It’s subtle, but it works.

Use Reactions—Real or Fake

A big part of what makes a funny video actually feel funny is how people react. That might be a confused glance, a double take, or an over-the-top scream. Reactions don’t need to be realistic; they just need to match the tone you’re going for. If you’re the only one in the video, use your own reactions to sell the joke. This could be a silent stare into the camera, a sigh of defeat, or even a slow clap. These small touches act like punctuation. They tell the viewer, “Yes, this part was meant to be funny.” Without them, even a great punchline can feel flat.

Of course, don’t overdo it. If every five seconds has you gasping or flailing, the whole thing starts to feel like a skit that doesn’t know when to end. Subtlety goes a long way—even in comedy.

Play With the Unexpected

Funny videos thrive on the element of surprise. If the audience sees the joke coming from the first second, it loses its spark. The twist doesn’t have to be huge—just enough to shake things up.

Maybe the prank doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to. Maybe the confident chef in your sketch ends up making a mess. Maybe a serious how-to video is interrupted by a squirrel in the background. These little moments of unexpected turns make people laugh because they break the routine.

One way to build surprise into your video is by asking: “What’s the most normal version of this idea?” Then, go in the opposite direction. Turn it upside down, exaggerate it, or throw in something totally unrelated but oddly fitting. Just make sure the surprise fits your tone. Random doesn’t equal funny. But a well-placed twist can steal the whole show.

Don’t Aim for Perfect, Aim for Watchable

Here's the part a lot of creators get stuck on: overthinking. You want it to be funny, so you keep tweaking, trimming, and re-recording. Suddenly, what was supposed to be a goofy afternoon project is now a stress pit of second-guessing. Let it go. Funny doesn’t mean flawless. Some of the best moments in videos come from things that weren’t planned—an awkward silence, a cat walking into the shot, or a weird facial expression. Leave a little room for imperfection. That’s what gives a video personality.

Focus on making something you would actually want to watch yourself. If you laugh while editing—even just once—that’s usually a good sign. If it feels boring, cut it. If it feels confusing, simplify it. But don’t waste hours trying to polish it until it’s “perfect.” Funny videos aren’t paintings. They’re disposable, shareable, and better when they feel human.

One Last Thing: Know When to Stop

This isn’t a bonus tip—it’s the part most people miss. Knowing when a joke is done is just as important as knowing how to start one. A video that ends on a high note gets shared. One that drags on and on with the same joke loses steam and gets closed before the end.

So, wrap it up while the laugh is still fresh. Whether that's with a punchline, a facial reaction, or a quick cut to black—end it clean. It leaves people wanting more, not checking the time.