Meeting Planners take a great deal of care hiring the ideal speaker for their event. They have "set the stage" by coordinating details such as room set-up, lighting and the speakers audio and visual aid needs. Yet a final detail that is often overlooked is one that also aids in the success of your event: provide the speaker with a great introduction!
Q) Why is it important to introduce your speaker well?
Tips:
- Warms the audience to the speaker
- Establishes the speaker's credibility
- Tells the audience why this speaker and this topic is relevant to them
Q) How to ensure a great introduction
Tips:
- Ask the speaker to supply a written introduction well in advance.
- Give a copy to the introducer and to an event coordinator in case it gets lost or forgotten.
- To deliver the introduction, choose a person who is comfortable in front of an audience.
- Have that person practice reading the introduction verbatim. Practicing will familiarize the introducer with the material and allow them to maintain eye contact with the audience while glancing down at their page periodically as they read the introduction.
- Have the introducer practice speaking into the microphone. This will allow for the correct volume to be set, and the appropriate placement of the microphone for their height.
Q ) The Introduction... Tips for the Introducer
Tips:
- Meet with the speaker beforehand and ask how to correctly pronounce his/her name.
- Take a deep breath before you begin speaking; relax and smile.
- Walk to the lectern confidently, stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
- Hands to your side until you need them for gesturing; do not hang or hold onto the lectern.
- Avoid distracting the audience with either noisy jewelry, loose coin in your pocket, playing with glasses or leaning on the lectern.
- Learn the name of the materials you are working with, for example, a lectern is the stand on which you place your notes; a podium is a platform on which you stand.
- Following the introduction, enthusiastically ask the audience to please welcome... (Speaker’s name)... and lead the applause. Remain at the lectern to greet and shake speaker's hand.
