| Imagine your are about to give a speech. You've | | | | five minutes long. Worse, it basically told the |
| done months of research. The meeting room is | | | | audience, "I'm smart. Your dumb. Listen to me." |
| filled to capacity. You wait anxiously as the Master | | | | That hardened the audience against him, before |
| of Ceremonies (MC) begins to introduce you. | | | | he even took the stage. |
| The MC says, "Ladies and gentleman, I'd like to | | | | Here are 7 key tips (and some bonus advice) for |
| introduce our next speaker. I don't know much | | | | writing an effective speaker's introduction: |
| about him. But, I think his speech has something | | | | 1) Your introduction should be written word for |
| to do with public speaking skills." | | | | word to make it easy for the MC to read |
| Imagine how you feel as the speaker. What might | | | | 2) It should be less than 1 minute long (that's less |
| be going through your mind as you take the | | | | than 120 words) |
| stage? How do you think the audience feels? | | | | 3) It should start with your name and speech title |
| Does it make a good first impression? | | | | 4) Include how to pronounce your name, if it's |
| The words used during your introduction need to | | | | difficult to say |
| create a positive first impression. | | | | 5) Briefly list a reason why you have credibility on |
| Don't leave that introduction to chance. Take | | | | your topic. For example, "Author of...", "Experience |
| control and write a powerful introduction for your | | | | in...." or "Past clients include..." |
| speech. By writing a proper introduction, you | | | | 6) Briefly list one personal item about you. For |
| make it easy for the Conference Organizer or | | | | example, "Mike recently got married to the |
| Master of Ceremonies to introduce you. | | | | woman of his dreams." |
| The purpose of an introduction is to give the | | | | 7) End with your name again, and speech title. For |
| audience a few key points about yourself, and | | | | example, "It's my pleasure to introduce Mike Aoki, |
| create enthusiasm for your presentation. | | | | who will give us secrets to, 'Designing and |
| A speaker's introduction is not a "bio." It shouldn't | | | | Delivering Persuasive Presentations.'" |
| tell your entire life story. I once saw an MC tell | | | | Bonus advice: |
| several humorous life stories about their friend, | | | | 8) Send your intro to the MC in advance so they |
| the speaker. By the time the MC was done, there | | | | can study it ahead of time |
| was only 30 minutes left in the speaker's original | | | | 9) Take a copy with you, in case the MC forgets |
| 45 minute time slot. But worse, the MC used | | | | their copy |
| several stories the speaker was planning to tell | | | | 10) Ask the MC to read it word-for-word from |
| for himself! | | | | your printout. That will avoid any awkward or |
| A speaker's introduction is also not a "resume." I | | | | unnecessary ad-libbing by the introducer |
| once saw a speaker submit an "intro" filled with | | | | Use these tips to create a great first impression |
| every company, every degree/designation and | | | | before your next speech. |
| every minor award, they had ever earned. It was | | | | © Copyright 2010 Reflective Keynotes Inc. |