How to Introduce a Speaker Without Looking Silly
It can be nerve wrecking to have to introduce a speaker, especially one that is highly sought after and expensive. If you have spent months planning and coordinating their appearance for months on end, how can you ensure your composure? Nerves set in and anxiety take over… what now?!
Here are 3 way to make sure you never sound ridiculous when you introduce someone, whether a high class speaker or a colleague:
In five sentences or less, tell the audience why this particular speakers is relevant to them. Answer the question: How will listening impact my life/career? When you do this, people will be primed to listen intently and get the most out of the speaker.
Everyone loves a personal story that ties in with the theme of the next speaker. The key is to make your story lighthearted, relevant, and short. Don’t get too serious with your story as it could upstage the speaker. Make sure it seamlessly fits into the program. Keep it short! No speakers like to walk on stage after a long winded introduction because then they have to bring the audience back to focus.’
Make sure you know how to pronounce their name correctly, use phonetic devices if necessary. Another huge factor in saying their name is with the right intonation. The key here is to avoid a inflection at the end of their name. This can make their name seem like a question. The best way is to say their name and lower your voice as you reach the last name. This gives a sense of awe and reverence to the speaker.
It can often be nerve wrecking to introduce a speaker. Following these few tips will ensure that your speaker feels honored and your audience is interested. When done correctly, introducing a speaker correctly can exemplify your event and the people that made it happen.