Introducing a speaker may seem like a no-brainer, but so many people don’t take it seriously. I remember being a speaker at a breakfast meeting. They assigned a person to introduce me. She read from the paper without any energy or interest. Could she have been more dispassionate? After the low-energy, boring introduction, I walked on and spoke. I could feel the air go out of the room and I had to summon all my energy to rev up the audience. That poor introduction made my job harder.
There’s a reason speakers are introduced. If a presenter walked to the front of the room and started talking, the audience would be confused. They’d be thinking, “Who is this person?” “What’s her expertise?” “What value does she bring?” They aren’t ready to listen.
Think of the introducer as your warm-up act. A good introduction sets the stage, creates anticipation, establishes a connection, and cites the speaker’s credentials.
What are the elements of introducing a speaker that leaves a lasting impact?
Research and Prepare
When it comes to presentations, it’s 90% preparation and 10% delivery. Do not read their biography. That can be printed and distributed but it is not an introduction and most biographies are boring.
Research the speaker’s background and if possible, speak to them to get a sense of their personality and stories. Review their biography, website, social media, and articles The goal is to showcase the speaker’s uniqueness.
Create a Captivating Opening
The first minute is vital to grabbing attention. Start with a startling statistic, a quote, a short anecdote, or thought-provoking question related to the topic or speaker’s experience. The goal is to create a hook that will draw them in and entice them to keep listening.
Establish a Connection
How do you make the audience care about the speaker and the audience? Look for common ground. Show how the speaker's expertise aligns with what’s important to the audience. By creating a connection or bridge, the audience will relate to the speaker on a deeper level and will be more receptive to the message.
Showcase the Speaker's Excellence
Here is where you spotlight the speaker’s accomplishments. This may include achievements, awards, and publications, as well as testimonials or statistics that highlight the speaker’s work. The purpose is to reveal their unique insights, create trust, and position them as a trusted authority.
Build Anticipation and Excitement
A good introduction should create excitement for the speaker's presentation. List the key topics or themes, and emphasize their potential impact on the audience. Tease the audience with interesting details or unexpected insights that will be revealed during the speech. Creating a sense of anticipation will generate curiosity and ensure audience engagement from the beginning.
Be Brief and Engaging
Keep the introduction concise and engaging. Don’t overwhelm the audience with all of the speaker's credentials. Select the most compelling aspects and leave space for the speaker to further establish their expertise during their presentation. The purpose is to set the stage not to give the speech.
Rehearse and Refine
Practice your introduction by rehearsing it out loud and time yourself. Focus on your tone, pace, and body language so that you have a smooth and confident delivery. Record yourself or ask for feedback from a trusted colleague to fine-tune your delivery. Rehearsing the introduction will increase your effectiveness as the event's facilitator.
In summary, introducing a speaker demands careful preparation and delivery. By conducting thorough research, crafting a compelling opening, establishing a connection, showcasing the speaker's excellence, building anticipation, keeping it concise and engaging, and rehearsing diligently, you can deliver a Knockout introduction that sets up the speaker for success.
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To learn techniques to overcome fear of speaking, read Chapter 3 of Knockout Presentations.
To Stop Playing It Safe In Front of the Room contact me DiResta Communications, Inc.