Introducing a speaker

As the toastmaster of the day, my challenge had been to find an appropriate theme, and then introduce the speakers and their topic in relation to my theme.

I also noticed introduction were an afterthought hastily thrown together, at the last-minute by someone who really did not know the speaker, the speech or its value for the audience. Yet it is very critical for the success of a speech.

It is the introduction that establishes the credibility of a speaker, so it has to be carefully crafted, well-delivered. These were some things that helped when I remembered to follow them.

Goal: of an introduction is to prepare the audience and get them excited for what they are about to hear. That would mean we essentially address three core questions.

• What is the topic?
• Why is it important for this audience
• Why is this speaker qualified to deliver this talk.

These three questions motivate to listen. And the speakers’ credibility is re-established.

Prepare and practise.

We tend to take this very lightly, oh! I am just introducing the speaker, so I don’t need to prepare, I just share what I know. But a good idea would be to write out the full introduction and check it with speaker.

Minimize notes still better memorize.

When we speak without notes it adds to our authority, our recommendation carries more weight. That is listening to my speaker. If not the entire introduction at least memorize the last line.

Be positive and enthusiastic.

The introducer sets pace for the listening, if we are enthusiastic about our guest, our voice, gestures and facial expression would convey these.

Know the speaker if you don’t the person personally then Google, and get information, so that you can relate on a personal level.

Pronunciation gaffes are something that one really has to take care of, mispronouncing something, would weaken our credibility.  Particularly the guest’s name or the key words. Ideal thing to do would be check their name with them.

Accuracy is as important as the pronunciation, maybe even more, so precise, years, facts or details. When we make an error, then many speakers feel compelled to correct us, this would result in their speech opening to be disturbed and their momentum going off.

The title of a speech is usually carefully crafted, so while we introduce the speaker it becomes mandatory that we do not alter the title.

Humor should also be used with discretion, though ideally not at all when we introduce a speaker there might be occasions that would justify it. If humor is being used, it should be in the beginning leaving the more thought-provoking content to the climax.

Outline of the speech is not for us to share as introducer. We could be sabotaging the speaker. We do not share speech contents unless requested by the speaker.

Usually speakers are charismatic people and multifaceted. We stick to the relevant expertise when we introduce the speaker. This would also include their personal history and educational qualification. We only refer to the relevant. This happens so often in academic conferences or when a person is a guest speaker.

Keep it short lengthy introductions are bad, and boring. Don’t go into the biography, the three basic questions need to answered

• What’s the topic
• Why does it matter
• Why is the speaker credible?

Cliches!!! –”This speaker needs no introduction” well every speaker does, it’s kind of reference to context. Just keep it brief for a home hero!

Hype?? – are for the advertisements. Building enthusiasm is fine, but let’s not cross the line to go overboard. A talk on tax planning would help us understand and grapple with our tax issues, but it is not the magic wand that would solve all financial trouble.

Building a climax to ensure that the audience will definitely applaud is the challenge. The vocal variety needs to command this. One way to do it is to end with the speaker’s name say “Toastmasters, lets welcome, toastmaster Jarvis”.

Transitions here are physical ones. We turn to the speaker as we finish, so that we can greet them, wait for them to arrive, shake hands that is symbolically handing the floor before we leave. It would be a good idea to check with the speaker if they have a special entry planned, then we will have to work a successful way to support them.

Do try them and let me know how you fare.

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