Introducing You as a Speaker

Why do it
Before a speaker approaches the speaking area, the audience should have a sense of the purpose of the speech. It is the speaker's responsibility to provide information that the introducer can use to set up properly the speech. When you are a speaker, prepare your introducer. Thus, you will increase your likelihood of communicating clearly with your audience.

When to do it
Always prepare an introduction for yourself. A few days before the speech, give a copy of your introductory script to the person who will introduce you. Also bring a hard copy with you on the day of the speech.

What to include
Here are some things to have your introducer say about you before your speech:

• The name of the speech manual and project on which you based your speech and the time length allotted for the speech
• The objectives of your speech project (unless that is printed on the agenda)
• Something about you that relates to your speech topic. Your experience. Your reason for interest in the speech topic.
• A few words that lead into your speech topic and get your audience ready to hear you speak. This could be a question of, or a challenge to, the audience.
• Your speech title, your name, your Toastmaster designation and/or credentials.

Perspective
Write your introduction from the introducer's perspective so that the introducer can tell the audience about you. Refer to yourself in the third person by using your name.

Example:
Today, Sue is presenting speech number xxx from the xxxxxx manual. This is a x - y minute speech. The objectives are: (1) xxx (2) xxx (3) xxx Have you ever wished there were more hours in a day? Our speaker today has often wished for more time. At times, Sue has struggled to stay focused on items that have the highest priority. That experience has motivated her to share with us what she has learned about priorities. Please join me in welcoming Advanced Toastmaster Silver, Sue Smith, as she presents her speech "The Time of Your Life".

Introducing a Speaker -- Some Do's and Don'ts

• DO be brief - but adequate - remember you are introducing them, not giving the speech!
• DO be accurate - make sure you have your facts about the speaker correct - the most important one being the pronunciation of their name!
• DO be sincere - you must show the speaker and the audience that you are looking forward to the talk.
• DO be aware of the occasion and the audience - e.g. if you want to add humor, make sure it's appropriate.
• DO show by your manner that you are looking forward to the speech.
• DON'T go overboard in your praise.
• DON'T give the speaker's life story.
• DON'T give the speech yourself.

Introducing a Speaker -- Five Basic Guidelines

1. Address the audience -- grab their attention.
2. Refer to the speaker -- tell the audience who the speaker is and prepare them by giving some background on the speaker's experience, qualifications or special interest in the topic.
3. Refer to the topic -- this is of great interest to the audience. It's what they've come for. Explain how the topic is relevant to them and how they stand to gain from listening.
4. Make the audience clear on what is to follow -- for example any housekeeping items such as time for questions, handouts, note-taking.
5. Welcome the speaker and lead the applause -- indicate for the speaker to approach, step back and lead the applause, welcome the speaker (possibly with a handshake or some other form of acknowledgement), wait for acknowledgement from the speaker, then leave the speaking area and sit down.

WHY Have an Introduction:

• Provides transition
• Sets mindset
• Gives authority

HOW to Give an Introduction:

• Planned vs. wing it
• Brief - 30 - 45 seconds, 2 minutes max
• Minimally gives 3 things to audience:
  • Speaker's Name
  • Topic
  • Title
• Other information that should be included:
  • Speech Manual and Project #
  • Objectives
  • Time allotted
• End with N.A.T.S.L.:
  • Name of Speaker
  • Applaud
  • Turn to Speaker
  • Shake Hands
  • Leave the Stage

DO's for Giving an Introduction:

• Friendly environment
• Put on speaker's shoes
• Sense of anticipation
• Interest and curiosity
• State Speaker's Name - Clearly
• Lead applause

DON'Ts for Giving an Introduction:

• Hold speaker's name until last
• Flowery prose
• Upstage speaker
• Steal speaker thunder
• Give away speech
• Surprise/embarrass speaker
• Over-praise speaker skills
• Use cliché's (e.g. 'needs no introduction')
• Anecdotes about yourself
• Give opinions
• Turn to speaker to speak

SPEAKER's ROLE for an Introduction:

• Provide introductory info
• Information about speech
• Special needs (such as equipment)
• Answer introducer questions

ETIQUETTE for Giving an Introduction:

• 50% is writing the introduction
• 50% is delivering introduction
• Professionally delivered intro
• Walk away from speaker, not in front of or behind the speaker
• Show speech involvement (if visible to audience)
• Optional 30-second summary/comment at the end