Recently I’ve been working with team on presenting coaching to prepare for a major showcase. One person who didn’t need extra input was the MC. A natural communicator, his experience and ease of presenting shone through. We just needed to keep him on track – awareness of timing and mindful of Q & A cues. Being a professional, he welcomed the extra tips.
Often the in-house marketing manager, public relations, sales manager or someone closely connected to the business, is asked to be the master of ceremonies at the company’s conference or award night. If that is you, I’m sharing these few tips to help you be prepared as there is nothing worse for your personal brand authority, than “winging it”.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be a compere, or emcee for various events over the years. The MC role for me at any event is always enjoyable – one reason is because it is not about “me”.
As one of my presentation coaching clients said, “I’ve been stepping more into hosting roles and need to be more prepared after one bad experience which derailed me. I feel scared of doing it in front of a big audience.”
I helped her overcome her nerves to feel more confident about the next event she hosted. Here’s a brief summary of the topics we covered, which I hope will help you to have spotlight confidence if asked to be an MC.
1. Stage management. You are not necessarily responsible for the stage management or production of the event. Generally, an event planner or the organiser will be arranging that and provide you with a run sheet. However, you are the director and there to oversee the proceedings go smoothly and to time.
Familiarise yourself with the run sheet, the amount of time at the beginning and in between each introduction. Know the meal and entertainment breaks and what are the main housekeeping rules that need to be addressed. Know who the speakers are and introduce yourself to them beforehand if possible.
Make sure you have a handy time piece available to keep track of time and know which side people will enter and exit the stage. You may also be on hand to assist someone on the stairs and help adjust the microphone height if necessary.
2. Humour. Don’t try to be funny or tell jokes if it is not your style. Some of the best MC’s and television comperes are comedians and naturally witty. If the event calls for a comedian – they will hire one.
The event doesn’t want someone dour and uninteresting though. Be yourself, but be the lively, upbeat version of you. Smile and relax into it and perhaps some gentle humour will shine through.
3. Forget I and ego. It’s not about moi, moi. It is about the other speakers. When people ask if I get nervous being an MC, I say, “Not really because I know people aren’t focusing on me”. My job is to make the other people look good and highlight the real stars of the show – or event.
Often you will be provided a written introduction to the speakers but if not make sure you have researched who they are and have some bio points on hand. Do introduce yourself at the beginning and set the scene for the event.
4. Notes. Be well prepared. Have your runsheet, the notes you have written out, introductions, announcements and all items together. Some MC’s prefer it all on iPhone or iPad and others written out on cue cards. Do what works for you and make sure you can see everything clearly.
Listen to the speakers and make mention of pertinent points as you segue from them to the next speaker or next part of the program. Just in case the next speaker is not ready or something goes wrong in the proceedings, have a filler prepared. It could simply be to say what the rest of the evening/day entails or if you are more experienced, an activity that gets people engaged can also work.
5. Engagement is the key. The beginning is when you need to impact the audience immediately with a strong opening and set the tone for the day or evening. This is also when you introduce yourself and it will most likely be the one time when the focus is on you. Make this moment count with well thought out content and preparation. The closing of the event is when you thank the relevant people and again if you can, finish on an uplifting and memorable note.
Being a confident presenter is essential for your personal brand authority. If you would like to elevate your confidence and brand sign up for my free eBook, The Secret to Your Personal Brand Revolution. Get Your Free eBook Now!
Sue Currie is an image entrepreneur who guides and empowers business leaders and entrepreneurs to have “Spotlight Confidence”. She is passionate about helping professionals elevate their personal and professional brand through her speaking, coaching and training programs on Self Brand, Style and Speaking Skills, providing a multi-faceted approach to gain high transformation for her clients.
