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This Thursday I’m giving a speech about how to create your own introduction.
Key points: you provide the introduction to the MC (or Toastmaster). The introduction should meet these three criteria:
Set the Stage
- What does your audience need to hear?
- How will they be helped?
- What can they expect?
Establish credibility
- Why you?
- Why now?
Avoid the irrelevant
- Titles and certifications that don’t apply
- Self serving
- Extraneous information
If you are the one providing the introductionm remember these points:
Don’t improvise
- Use what the speaker gave you
Don’t surprise
- Make sure the speaker knows what you plan to say
Don’t upstage
- Avoid “I” stories (i.e. “I saw him speak and…”)
Conclusion: Put together an introduction for every presentation you give. Even if it’s not used, it will help you focus your presentation and plan for what the audience needs.
