Stage Fright Part 2

How to Write a Solid Introduction
(Part 2)

Suppose you were asked to introduce President Barack Obama at your organization’s special event. What would you do to prepare your introduction?

I’d be willing to bet, that “winging it” wouldn’t be in your vocabulary. You would find the time to do the research, contact his administrative assistant, collect important facts, and ask colleagues for their advice. You would make sure that the microphone on site works, and other logistics are handled professionally. You’d be so excited that you couldn’t sleep? Ten bucks says that you would be a great host for this special speaker!

Got you thinking?

All speakers, not just celebrities, require this kind of attention.

How to Write the Introduction

If you are the one who volunteers, or is volunteered, to introduce a speaker at an event, you might want to keep a copy of this column.

Scripting the introduction shouldn’t happen “on the spot”, nor should you be writing it on the back of a crumpled piece of paper like a grocery bill. I’ve developed a template that may help you in your preparation. Let me know if you find this useful.

The “Introduction” has three main elements, all beginning with “C”.

1. Character
2. Credentials
3. Connection

“Character” refers to the speaker as a person. Who are they? What is their personality? This opening portion is the “hook” for the audience.

“Credentials” refer to the qualifications of the presenter. What are the main points - not all the points - which apply directly to the audience’s understanding of the speaker as an expert on this subject?

“Connection” provides the presenter and subject link to the audience. What is the focus of the presentation and how does this affect the listeners? What can the audience look forward to hearing, seeing, doing and taking away from the time spent together?

Here’s an example of this template:

Our presenter, Maggie Chicoine (Chic Win’) claims that she is more than a seasoned speaker….she’s marinated!

Maggie’s company, The Idea Sculptor, was formed in 1986 and is based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. As a professional speaker, Master Coach and writer, Maggie’s clientele has a broad scope – from tribal chiefs in Ghana, Africa, to the boardrooms of Australia and the US, to Northern Ontario’s volunteer organizations and entrepreneurs. She delivers thought provoking and practical content with her trademark: “a twist of ingenuity”.

Maggie is a founding director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and one of Northern Ontario’s most influential women. She is the Lead Facilitator for Leadership Thunder Bay.

This evening, she is sharing her experience as a Master Coach with you. Maggie is the expert in knowing how to turn a bad situation into a solid path for our leaders at XYZ Corporation. Her examples are so relevant that her guarantee is: no one sleeps.

Please welcome.... Maggie.


Sixty seconds: Character. Credentials. Connection.
Applause.....

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Maggie Chicoine is a skilled presenter who coaches members of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the National Speakers’ Association (USA) in Master of Ceremonies skills. Reach her at 1 800 587 1767 or

How To Write A SOLID Introduction

How to Write a Solid Introduction
(Part 2)
Part 1 appeared January 26, 2009...See the Archive at http://www.theideasculptor.blogspot.com/

Suppose you were asked to introduce President Barack Obama at your organization’s special event. What would you do to prepare your introduction?

I’d be willing to bet, that “winging it” wouldn’t be in your vocabulary. You would find the time to do the research, contact his administrative assistant, collect important facts, and ask colleagues for their advice. You would make sure that the microphone on site works, and other logistics are handled professionally. You’d be so excited that you couldn’t sleep? Ten bucks says that you would be a great host for this special speaker!

Got you thinking?

All speakers, not just celebrities, require this kind of attention.

How to Write the Introduction

If you are the one who volunteers, or is volunteered, to introduce a speaker at an event, you might want to keep a copy of this column.

Scripting the introduction shouldn’t happen “on the spot”, nor should you be writing it on the back of a crumpled piece of paper like a grocery bill. I’ve developed a template that may help you in your preparation. Let me know if you find this useful.

The “Introduction” has three main elements, all beginning with “C”.

1. Character
2. Credentials
3. Connection

“Character” refers to the speaker as a person. Who are they? What is their personality? This opening portion is the “hook” for the audience.

“Credentials” refer to the qualifications of the presenter. What are the main points - not all the points - which apply directly to the audience’s understanding of the speaker as an expert on this subject?

“Connection” provides the presenter and subject link to the audience. What is the focus of the presentation and how does this affect the listeners? What can the audience look forward to hearing, seeing, doing and taking away from the time spent together?

Here’s an example of this template: (Reminder: large font makes this easier to read when you are nervous or the lighting at the lecturn is dim...)

Our presenter, Maggie Chicoine (Chic Win’) claims that she is more than a seasoned speaker….she’s marinated!

Maggie’s company, The Idea Sculptor, was formed in 1986 and is based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. As a professional speaker, Master Coach and writer, Maggie’s clientele has a broad scope – from tribal chiefs in Ghana, Africa, to the boardrooms of Australia and the US, to Northern Ontario’s volunteer organizations and entrepreneurs. She always delivers thought provoking and practical content with her trademark: “a twist of ingenuity”.

Maggie is a founding director of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers, and one of Northern Ontario’s most influential women. She is the Lead Facilitator for Leadership Thunder Bay.

This evening, she is sharing her experience as a Master Coach with you. Maggie is the expert in knowing ... how to turn a bad situation into a solid path for our leaders at XYZ Corporation. Her examples are so relevant that her guarantee is:... "no one sleeps".

Please welcome.... Maggie.


Sixty seconds:

Character. Credentials. Connection.



Maggie Chicoine is a skilled presenter who coaches members of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the National Speakers’ Association (USA) in Master of Ceremonies skills. Reach her at 1 800 587 1767 or www.theideasculptor.com. Her column, The Tuesday File, appears at Lake Superior News - www.lakesuperiornews.com weekly.

Stage Fright?

How Not To Introduce A Speaker

What three word phrase should be locked into the vault when introducing a speaker? Before I reveal the answer, let’s go behind the scenes.

Whether the event is a large convention or a small gathering of like-minded colleagues waiting for their CEO to deliver the annual report, the introducer has a responsibility to shine the light on the speaker. Allow me to repeat that last phrase: “shine the light on the speaker”.

The purpose of an introduction is to set the stage for the speaker’s presentation. The audience needs these opening words to warm up to the speaker, not the introducer. No matter how funny the joke may be, or how thrilling the experience could be, it’s the speaker who needs to be connected by a strong thread to the people filling the chairs.

What NOT to do as an introducer:

1. Scratch notes on the back of your grocery bill as you drive to the event.
2. Ignore the speaker’s bio, and just wing it
3. Talk about how much you personally also understand the subject at hand
4. Not bother to stand or use the microphone as you make your opening remarks
5. Tell jokes that everyone else also received in their emails
6. Arrive late enough that you do not have a chance to connect with the presenter
7. Let your own ego preside over the meeting

So, what should you do?

A. Prepare in advance. Ask the speaker for a bio, and then edit the information into your own language - the way you speak. If there’s a difficult multi-syllable word that trips you up, find a synonym. Transcribe your notes into a final copy, and print it out in 16 point font on card stock. Make a duplicate copy.
B. Ask the speaker for their own personalized introduction. Do not change it without their permission.
C. Arrive early for the event. Be the host of the presenter. This may seem like common sense, but the more welcome the speaker feels, the better their presentation to your group.
D. Get comfortable standing behind the lectern and using a microphone. Learn to manage the stress of speaking. Hire a coach, or take in Toastmasters.
E. Choose your humour wisely.
F. Get over yourself. Keep your ego in your pocket.

Finally, let me share the words that make most professional speakers wince.

“Without”
“Further”
“Ado...”

Please, no more further ado’s. You can substitute: “We are excited to hear from... please welcome...”. Try: “And now, Ms....”.

Then turn to the speaker, and get eye contact. Smile. Shakes hands, a sign of a warm, sincere welcome which puts your presenter in the limelight once more.

Sit back, enjoy.

Next week: Part 2 “How to write an introduction.”

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Maggie Chicoine is a professional speaker and charter member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers. Maggie coaches people who are terrified to speak - and creates ease and eloquence for everyone at the podium.

She is also a professional member of PWAC, ICF and IAFF. Reach her at 1 800 587 1767 or www.theideasculptor.com