Take charge of your own introduction

On two recent occasions when I was the main speaker, I provided my own introduction in writing, in advance, to make it easier for the chairman, and to ensure that I was properly launched.

On the first occasion, the chairman printed my introduction in the day's programme and introduced me like this: "Our next speaker is Phillip Khan-Panni. You've got his details in the programme, so I'm not going to read it out. I'll just leave it to him. Phillip." I had to warm up the audience myself. 200 professionals who had never seen or heard me before.

On the second occasion the Chairman Skyped me to say, "I think I'll shorten your introduction a bit and put it in my own words." I said Please don't. He did not do a good job of reading the introduction I sent, so I shudder to think what might have happened if I'd agreed to let him do it his own way.

The purpose of an introduction is to warm up the audience, building up expectations, and launch the speaker with the full endorsement of the Chairman (who represents the organisation running the event). Most Chair persons neither understand that nor make the effort to prepare a proper introduction, so the speaker should always write and send their own introductions, taking along a spare copy on the day in case the chair person has left it at home.

Here are some guidelines.

Some Dos

What should an introduction consist of? It should:

• Engage the attention of the audience
• Raise their expectations, but not too highly
• Launch the speaker
• Mention his/her name several times
• Establish the speaker's expertise or qualifications
• State what the speaker will be talking about (speech title)
• Be brief
• Create a good impression of the speaker

Some Don'ts

Needs no introduction …The why make one? This is just lazy talk.

Without further ado …First of all, it's old fashioned. Secondly, have you considered what it means? Do really intend to say that it has been a bit of a nuisance talking about the speaker, so let's quit now? "Ado" means "difficulty, bother or fuss". Think of "Much ado about nothing".

The speaker gave me this …This undermines the speaker. It says, in effect, "I'm not taking responsibility for the good things I'm about to tell you about the speaker" and implies that the speaker is immodest.

Good lady wife …The phrase is so cringe-making. Does he have a bad wife as well? Sometimes people say "good lady" or "better half". Don't be one of them. It's a shibboleth that demeans the lady and you as well.

Put your hands together …In prayer? It's one of those dreadful clichés that have been popularised by ill-educated game show hosts on TV.

None other than …It's all a bit unnecessary, and reminds me of the introduction song to Donald Duck cartoons, which ends, "No one (pause) but Donald Duck!"

Heard he's good …Sounds like a challenge. "Heard he's good, so let's see if it's true!" It places an unfair burden of proof on the speaker, and raises the audience's expectations to an unreasonable level.

HOW to do it right (Chair person)

Consult the speaker beforehand
Obtain only Relevant info for the occasion
Consider your Opening/maintain good Order
Present speaker's Credentials
Give the Speaker/Guest Kudos
Do it with Enthusiasm
Give Title -- speech / Speaker / Topic

Finish on speaker's name, with a rising flourish: John (pause) SMITH!

EXAMPLE of correct Speaker introduction:

Our next speaker is well known to you all. I won't say he needs no introduction, because it is always a pleasure and an honour to introduce Les King, a man of many parts. He is witty, humorous, and a fascinating raconteur. When Mike Silverman appointed him Area Governor, Les said that it was proof that Mike has a sense of humour. Among his many interests is a fascination with computers and with the Internet, which he uses to communicate with Toastmasters everywhere. This evening he is going to show us how easy it is to cope with the complexities of the Internet. The title of his speech is, "Talk is cheap, but the Net is cheaper."

Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a friendly and warm welcome to our Area Governor,
Les (pause) KING!

PKP