How to Introduce a Speaker?

To introduce a speaker is an important skill in our professional lives. Are we comfortable when asked to introduce a speaker? It is more likely that we are nervous and a bit uneasy about what is expected out of us.

In formal gatherings it is often necessary and helpful to introduce the main speaker. With the right preparation, one can make the event more successful.

The introduction serves the two purposes:

1) It grabs the attention of the audience.

2) It prepares the audience to listen.

For informal gatherings 30-45 seconds is plenty. For formal events, the introduction should vary according to situation.

What Should the Introducer Say?

Introduction should not be boring rather it should be interesting, fun and can be witty. Dale Carnegie in his book, EFFECTIVE SPEAKING gave the guidelines that can be really helpful for all of us. This is known as T-I-S formula.

1. Stands for the TOPIC. Start your introduction by giving the exact title of the speaker’s talk.

2. I stands for IMPORTANCE. In this step, you talk about why the talk is relevant for the audience.

3. S stands for SPEAKER. Here you list the speaker’s outstanding qualifications, particularly those that are related to his/her topic. Finally you give the speaker’s name distinctly and clearly.

From this point we can use our imagination. Applying the formula to the information that we have gathered, take no more than 30-45 seconds to introduce the speaker. Make it short, and make it count.

Sample Introductions

Example One:

Our speaker today is Patricia Nelson. Ms. Nelson is the Librarian at the Business Link: Business Service Centre. In her job she deals with small business owners and those thinking of starting a business to help them find the information they need to start or run their businesses. In her spare time she has served as a Board Member with Edmonton Community Network, and as a volunteer trainer teaching people how to use the Internet and create web pages.

Based on her knowledge, enthusiasm and experience she is eminently qualified to speak to us today about Business Resources on the Internet. Ladies and Gentleman, please welcome, Patricia Nelson.

Example two:

We are delighted to have a very special person with us today to give us a presentation. Jeff Singh is a Professional Engineer, a graduate of the University of Alberta. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard in 1995. Upon graduation from the University of Alberta, Mr. Singh worked for the Alberta Energy Department as an energy supply analyst. He then moved on to a position with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers as a policy analyst involved with negotiating royalty rates with the provincial government. Following that Mr. Singh has worked with Amoco Oil in numerous locations around the globe. He has worked on several international committees analyzing petroleum production and supply trends and forecasts.

We are delighted to have Mr. Singh with us today to present his findings about royalty payment options in various countries and world forecasts for supply and demand in the coming decade. Please help me welcome Jeff Singh.

And to add a little more fanfare show delight on your face once you have said the speaker’s name and look to the speaker. It will create a good impression on the speaker and keep the audience interested in listening to the guest.

As soon as you are finished, exit the stage and sit down to enjoy the presentation, knowing that you did your part to make it a positive experience for everyone involved.