2-Minute Tips: How to Introduce Yourself (and Other People) Before a Speech
TODAY’S TOPIC:
“How do make an introduction before a speech?”
Intros are important. They’re the first thing the audience hears about you. Don’t bore them with your résumé. Get them excited.
This month it’s all about the intro.
Why?
Because I’m tired of sitting through introductions that sound like the speaker is trying to impress his mom.
The audience cares about your topic; not every single article you’ve published since 2005.
Similarly, I don’t love it when the introducer is unprepared. I’ve got tips for when your boss tells you, “We’ve got a trainer coming in; introduce her and that’ll kick off the training.” Introducing someone else is a simple, easy, and straightforward process.
If you’re the introducer, and no one has provided you with any information to go on, find the speaker before start time, ask them for a few sentences, and write them down to use as the introduction.
Some introducers, when in a bind, will pull up the speaker’s website, and read from it. I’m not a fan of this method, as it reads as “unprepared.” Plus, with scrolling, it’s too easy to lose your place and fumble, thus setting a bad tone for your upcoming speaker.
And also, when you introduce someone - don’t wing it. Talk to the speaker. Get their name right. Write it out phonetically if you have to.
And don’t rely on your memory for a fun factoid. I was once introduced as “a comedian” because my introducer saw “Second City graduate” in my bio. (I’m not a comedian. I studied improv, not stand-up.)
Your speaker doesn’t want to take the stage and start with an explanation of why she’s not a comedian.
MEMO 1:
How to write your speaker introduction. Hint: It’s not your resumé.
Too often, speakers put everything into their intro. Your aim is to whet the audience’s appetite for your topic; not bore them with a list of every accomplishment. Here’s the right way to write your speaker intro.
Bonus: See/hear the time Randy Ford and I discussed writing a better bio (aka, your intro).
MEMO 2:
Speaker tip: Format your intro for the introducer
Speaking at a conference? Delivering a training to a roomful of strangers? Write your intro for the person introducing you.
Always write your own introduction. Don’t leave it up to the person who will introduce you.
Hear why, along with pro tips for the best way to format your speaker intro.
MEMO 3:
How to introduce a speaker, presenter, trainer, etc.
Your boss has asked you to introduce the consultant delivering today’s training. Or maybe you’re introducing your star employee before she receives a huge award at the all-hands meeting. Here’s how to do it right.
MEMO 4:
Get your facts straight (and the speaker’s name)
When you’re asked to introduce the speaker, make sure you talk to them first. Do you have the correct pronunciation of their name? What about the other bio points? Listen:
Need some coaching, but you don’t want to spend time commuting? Read on:
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