Know your audience. Consider the people who will be hearing your joke and make sure it is appropriate for their tastes and sensibilities. Avoid jokes that may be offensive or hurtful to certain groups or individuals.
Be sensitive to context. Pay attention to the setting and mood of the situation before attempting to tell a joke. A joke that might be funny in one context could be completely inappropriate in another.
Keep it clever. Make sure your jokes are witty and well-executed. A poorly told joke can land flat and leave you embarrassed.
Don't overdo it. Don't try to tell too many jokes in a row or dominate the conversation with your humor. Let others have a chance to contribute and give your punchlines time to land.
Be careful with sarcasm. Sarcasm can be misinterpreted, so use it sparingly and make sure it is clear that you are joking.
Don't laugh at your own jokes. This can make you seem insecure or desperate for approval. Let the audience react to your jokes on their own.
Don't take yourself too seriously. If a joke does backfire, don't make a big deal about it. Simply move on and try not to let it bother you.