Tips for Introducing a Guest Speaker (2023)

Tips for Introducing a Guest Speaker

(Video) Example of Introducing a Guest Speaker

If you’re slated to introduce the guest speaker you should make a point to introduce yourself to them first thing in the morning to ensure you have the proper pronunciation of their name and tell them that you’ll be introducing them. If you wish you can join the speaker at the head table to give you an opportunity to get to know them a little better. Never try to give a speech of introduction strictly from memory, always make notes.

The introducer’s job is to

1. Remind the audience why the topic is important to them

2. Establish the speaker’s qualifications to speak on the topic

3. Get the presentation off on a high note by establishing an up-beat tone

(Video) Examples Of Introducing A Guest Speaker to Captivate Your (Virtual) Audience

4. Make the speaker feel especially welcome

All of this can be accomplished in no more than a couple of minutes.

Most introducers think their job is either to entertain the audience by being funny, or to make a speech of their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. The audience didn’t come to hear the introducer; they came to hear the featured speaker.

Here is an example of an appropriate and effective speech of introduction:

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. It’s a great pleasure for me to introduce our speaker today, who is going to talk to us about the ten most common personal financial planning mistakes. This is a subject in which we should all be deeply interested because it’s by avoiding financial mistakes that we can best ensure our financial futures. Our speaker, although having spent almost his entire career advising people on their finances in places like New York, Los Angeles and Toronto, grew up about thirty miles from where we are right now. He is an award-winning professional accountant who has specialized in personal finances and taxation for over twenty years, and has guided the financial affairs of some of this country’s best-known athletes, entertainers, entrepreneurs and executives. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming home, Steve Robbins!”

(Video) How To Introduce Any Speaker

When you arrive at the lectern to perform the actual introduction, remember these ten rules.

1. Stick to meeting the four objectives of a speech of introduction; avoid the temptation to make your own speech, either on the topic or anything else

2. Never try to introduce a speaker from memory; have good notes

3. Never tell a joke. There are no circumstances that justify telling a joke during a speech of introduction

4. Keep the introduction as short as possible

(Video) How to Introduce a Guest Speaker Like a Pro!

5. Be up-beat and enthusiastic

6. Avoid clichés such as “a person who needs no introduction” and “without further ado”

7. Look at the audience, not at the speaker, during the introduction; turn toward the speaker only at the very end of the introduction

8. Start the applause

9. Wait at the lectern and greet the speaker with a hearty handshake

(Video) Introduce a Guest Speaker and Hook Any Audience

10. Go sit down

Remember, when introducing or thanking a speaker, you are not the star.

Source: Lyman MacInnis, https://lymanmacinnis.squarespace.com/journal/2010/1/17/introducing-and-thanking-speakers.html
Rev. Jun’17

FAQs

What is an example to introduce a guest speaker? ›

I am so pleased to be with you tonight and to have the chance to introduce our guest speaker, (say speakers name). He / She is the (say speaker's positions in relations to why they're speaking). He / She has been one of the main proponents of this program for several years, and it a true stand out in this field.

What is a fun way to introduce a speaker? ›

Anecdote. Instead of just stating out the speaker's credentials and bio, make your introduction engaging by adding a short anecdote of the speaker. Talk about a time you met the speaker or an interesting story you read about her in a publication.

How do you introduce someone in a creative way? ›

State the name of the person you are making an introduction to.
...
2. Inform them of your intent
  1. "I would like you to meet..."
  2. "It's a pleasure to introduce..."
  3. "I would like to introduce..."
  4. "I would like to present..."
  5. "May I introduce..."
  6. "May I present..."
  7. "This is..."
  8. "My name is..."
5 days ago

How do you introduce and welcome a guest? ›

Best practices for greeting guests in your hotel
  1. Dress to impress. ...
  2. Ask questions. ...
  3. A smile goes a long way. ...
  4. Offer to help. ...
  5. Be cordial even if you're busy. ...
  6. Make guests feel special. ...
  7. Indicate points of interest within the hotel. ...
  8. Anticipate the questions guests will ask and answer them before they do.

What are good introduction starters? ›

5 Ways to Write an Introduction [Summary]
  • Start with a quotation.
  • Open with a relevant stat or fun fact.
  • Start with a fascinating story.
  • Ask your readers an intriguing question.
  • Set the scene.
Sep 8, 2017

What do you say when you introduce someone? ›

“I'd like to introduce…,” “May I introduce…,” “I'd like you to meet…” are all good options. “May I present…” is the formal version. Use preferred names and titles. In more formal situations, or when there's an obvious age difference, it's best to use courtesy titles and last names: “Mrs.

How do you transition to another speaker in a presentation? ›

Transition to Another Speaker

The abrupt way to do this is to simply have one person stop talking, and then have the other person start talking. It is much smoother, however, to pass the verbal baton to the next speaker (X): To talk about our next topic, we have X … I'll pass the microphone to X who will describe …

What expressions were used for introductions? ›

10 English Phrases for Introductions
  • I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm… [your name]
  • I don't think we've met before. My name's… [your name]
  • This is…
  • I'd like you to meet…
  • Have you met… ?
  • I'd like to introduce you to…
  • Nice to meet you.
  • It's a pleasure to meet you.

How do you start an introduction speech example? ›

Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name is ______ _______, and I am going to be speaking to you today about _______. To begin, _______ is important because…”

How long should a speaker introduction be? ›

Don't steal the show by making the introduction too long (60 seconds or less is sufficient), or by speaking on a topic that is in no way related to the speaker. Briefly mention the topic the speaker is addressing, but don't reveal too much about his or her speech. Establish the speaker's authority and expertise.

What is the introduction of a speaker? ›

A speaker introduction involves establishing the person's credibility, motivating audience interest, and saying what the speaker could not say. Not many speakers will jump to the stage and share their list of accomplishments, as this would appear arrogant and could quickly turn off an audience.

How do you introduce a fun way? ›

20 Creative Ways to Introduce Yourself
  1. “I'm shy, please come say hi.” ...
  2. A name is worth a thousand conversations. ...
  3. Highlight something that makes you unique. ...
  4. Start with a pop culture reference. ...
  5. Confess your nickname. ...
  6. Let the way you dress reflect who you are. ...
  7. 7. Make a T-shirt. ...
  8. 8. Make a “business” card.
Aug 23, 2022

What do you say when welcoming guests? ›

Some suggested Some suggestions include; Hello, welcome; Welcome, good morning; Hello, good afternoon, welcome. Introduce yourself by name making sure your communication is professional, yet personal. “Great to meet you, I'm Nikko”. If occupied with another guest, it is important to acknowledge arriving guests.

How do you welcome a guest professionally? ›

Here's how to ensure that those first impressions are positive ones.
  1. Project professionalism. ...
  2. Greet all visitors loud and clear. ...
  3. Ask visitors whom their appointment is with. ...
  4. Ask for the visitor's name and note the pronunciation. ...
  5. Keep the visitor informed. ...
  6. Offer refreshments. ...
  7. Know the lay of the land. ...
  8. Keep your cool.
Feb 1, 2023

What is the most important factor to show in greeting guests? ›

Warmly greeting guests with a smile, asking appropriate questions, and getting them on their way are all very important factors in how a visitor is treated.

What 4 Things Should an introduction? ›

Some things an introduction can do

Set out the main idea of the essay. Outline how the essay title will be interpreted. Define important terms e.g. 'This essay will use Professor Bloggs's definition of X which states that…' Explain the methodology to be used in the essay and why it's being used.

What is 1 example of a good introduction? ›

Posing a question, defining the key term, giving a brief anecdote, using a playful joke or emotional appeal, or pulling out an interesting fact are just a few approaches you can take. Use imagery, details, and sensory information to connect with the reader if you can.

What 4 main things should go in the introduction? ›

In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement. Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay.

What is a good sentence for introduce? ›

Example Sentences

Let me introduce myself: my name is John Smith. They have been slow to introduce changes in procedure. The designer is introducing a new line of clothes. He introduced several issues during the meeting.

How do you introduce informally? ›

In informal situations give your first name. The other person says: “Pleased to meet you.” or “Nice to meet you.” or “Good to meet you.”

What is an example of an introduction in a panel discussion? ›

Sample Intro

My name is Sean Lyden, and I am [insert role I'm serving for the Conference]. Today, we have an amazing panel on “The Future of Expedited Trucking,” where we'll be talking about the big trends we need to keep our eyes on that could directly impact your business.

What are good panel questions? ›

25 Questions to ask your panelists about the discussion:
  • What perspective will you bring to the discussion?
  • What do you think is the most important issue we will discuss?
  • What do you think our audience would like to know about this topic?
  • What are some of the most common misconceptions about this topic?
Oct 16, 2022

What are some good transition sentences? ›

Transitional expressions
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIPTRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Exception/Contrastbut, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Orderfirst, second, third, … next, then, finally
8 more rows

What are some good transition words for a speech? ›

And, in addition to, furthermore, moreover, besides, than, too, also, both-and, another, equally important, first, second, etc., again, further, last, finally, not only-but also, as well as, in the second place, next, likewise, similarly, in fact, as a result, consequently, in the same way, for example, for instance, ...

What are some examples of transition sentences? ›

Transition words and phrases
TypeExample sentenceTransition words and phrases
CausalBecause Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany.because, therefore, consequently, if, provided that, so that, to
3 more rows
Jun 9, 2020

What do you say at the beginning of a presentation? ›

Welcome to “Name of the event”. At the beginning of each presentation, you should welcome your audience. Depending on who you are addressing, you should extend a more or less formal welcome. ▧ Let me briefly introduce myself.

How to begin a presentation? ›

How to start a presentation
  1. Tell your audience who you are. Start your presentation by introducing yourself. ...
  2. Share what you are presenting. ...
  3. Let them know why it is relevant. ...
  4. Tell a story. ...
  5. 5. Make an interesting statement. ...
  6. Ask for audience participation.
Jul 21, 2022

What is an example of a greeting for a presentation? ›

Welcome Your Audience & Introduction
  • Welcome to [name of company or event]. My name is [name] and I am the [job title or background information].
  • Thank you for coming today. ...
  • Good morning/afternoon ladies and gentlemen. ...
  • On behalf of [name of company], I'd like to welcome you today. ...
  • Hi everyone.
May 1, 2018

What are the 4 types of introductions? ›

There are four different ways of writing an introduction to an academic essay. These include; funnel, quotations, dramatic, and the turn-about form. A funnel introduction runs from background information to a more focused thesis. Quotation introductions use quotes to lead the reader to the thesis statement.

What is a short introductory expression? ›

What is an introductory phrase? An introductory phrase is like a clause, but it doesn't have its own subject and verb; it relies on the subject and verb in the main clause. It sets the stage for the main part of the sentence.

What 3 things should be included in a speech of introduction? ›

A good introduction needs to get the audience's attention, state the topic, make the topic relatable, establish credibility, and preview the main points.

What is the best speech opening? ›

Telling a story is a popular way to open a speech because it can quickly build that all-important human connection with your audience. If you have a message that's personal, or if you're trying to influence your audience to make a change, a story is a great place to start.

How do you greet a audience when presenting a speech? ›

Greeting Your Audience
  1. Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone.
  2. Welcome to [name of event]. Sample sentence: Welcome to our 3rd Annual Sales Leadership Conference.
  3. First, let me introduce myself. I am [name] from [company].
Aug 20, 2022

Do you introduce the most important person first? ›

A person of high rank or special prominence is named first and receives the introduction. The lesser rank is introduced to them. When introducing family members to others, the other person's name is generally said first if the people being introduced are of roughly the same age and rank.

How do you introduce a simple keynote speaker? ›

The Introduction

Start with a short introduction on the topic or message the Speaker is going to talk about. Only then say something, very short, about who the Speaker is, where they are from, etc, because who the Speaker is less important than what they are going to talk about.

How many words should my introduction be? ›

The introduction and conclusion should both be approximately 10% of the overall essay word count. For example, if you write a 1500 word essay, your introduction and conclusion will be around 150 words each.

What are the 5 parts of an intro to speech? ›

In this section, we are going to explore the five remaining parts of an effective introduction: linking to your topic, reasons to listen, stating credibility, thesis statement, and preview.

What are the four parts of the introduction public speaking? ›

You must:
  • Capture the audience's attention.
  • Establish your credibility/ethos.
  • Reveal the topic of the speech and relate it to the audience.
  • Preview the body of the speech.

What is an example of a speech introduction? ›

Hello, everyone. Thank you for having me. My name is ______ _______, and I am going to be speaking to you today about _______. To begin, _______ is important because…”

How do you introduce a new speaker sample? ›

Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: "Now Sarah will talk about the prevalence of social anxiety." Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: "Sarah". The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: "Thank you Nick."

How do you introduce a guest speaker on Zoom example? ›

To Introduce a speaker on Zoom:
  1. Prepare in advance by knowing all the necessary information about the speaker.
  2. Ensure everyone is present and start the meeting.
  3. Welcome all the attendees.
  4. Introduce yourself and your role.
  5. Introduce the speaker by mentioning their name and title.
Jan 24, 2023

What are four steps of a speech introduction? ›

The Four Tasks of the Speech Introduction
  • Capture the audience's attention.
  • Establish your credibility/ethos.
  • Reveal the topic of the speech and relate it to the audience.
  • Preview the body of the speech.

What is a good sentence for speaker? ›

Example Sentences

He is an excellent public speaker.

What are some examples of presenting effectively? ›

  • How can you make a good presentation even more effective?
  • Focus on your Audience's Needs.
  • Keep it Simple: Concentrate on your Core Message.
  • Smile and Make Eye Contact with your Audience.
  • Start Strongly.
  • Remember the 10-20-30 Rule for Slideshows.
  • Tell Stories.
  • Use your Voice Effectively.

What is a good introduction for a presentation? ›

It is polite to start with a warm welcome and to introduce yourself. Everyone in the audience will want to know who you are. Your introduction should include your name and job position or the reason you are an expert on your topic. The more the audience trusts you, the more they listen.

How do you start a guest speaker reflection? ›

Your reflection paragraph should: 1. Summarize the main purpose of the speaker's presentation and their name (including title) and where they work 2. Be supported with at least three specific facts/details that the guest speaker provided related to the main topic.

Videos

1. How To Introduce A Guest Speaker - Who Should Write A Guest Speaker's Introduction Script?
(Wendy Westwood)
2. Introduce a guest speaker with this sample script (in 3 steps)
(Markus Presents)
3. INTRODUCING A GUEST SPEAKER
(Teacher Joann's Channel)
4. Introducing a Guest Speaker to the Audience
(Cel Amade)
5. Stop Beginning Your Speeches with Good Morning and Thank You and Start with This Instead
(Deborah Grayson Riegel)
6. Example of Introducing a Virtual Guest Speaker
(Cel Amade)
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