How to Introduce a Person to Speak in Front of a Group

Introducing the speaker lets your audience know what they can expect to hear.

In some situations, someone else must introduce the person who will speak to a group of people. If this job falls to you, it is important to prepare a solid introduction without writing an entire speech for yourself. The goal is to let the audience know who the speaker is and on which topic he will speak. Your introduction should shift the focus to your speaker instead of allowing the focus to linger on you.

Instructions

1. Tell your audience briefly which topic the speaker will cover. You don't want to give the speech yourself, but you should clue your audience in on the general topic so they will know what to expect.

2. Let your audience know why the topic is important to them to encourage them to give the speaker their full attention. This can be especially useful in a school setting.

3. Keep your tone upbeat and positive to build the interest of your audience. If you speak in a monotone voice with a straight face, the audience will have a more difficult time getting excited about the speaker. Smile and use inflection in your voice.

4. Avoid using humor unless you know the speaker well or he requests you to use it. Poorly placed or inappropriate humor can ruin the speech for the speaker.

5. Include identifying information about the speaker. This information should include the speaker's name, his company and title, and his level of expertise on the topic. The speaker himself will often provide you with this information ahead of time to help you build an introduction. Using the speaker's name at the end serves as his signal to come forward and begin speaking.

6. End the introduction with a phrase such as "Please welcome (speaker's name)" or "I am pleased to present (speaker's name)." Stand aside after this concluding phrase, smile and applaud. When the speaker steps up to the podium and thanks you, this is your cue to sit down.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice so you don't mispronounce a name or other important word in your introduction.

• Keep your introduction short and to the point. A long introduction can easily lose the audience for your speaker.

References

• Washington State University Extension Master Gardener Program: Introducing Speakers
• Tulane University Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: Introducing a Speaker
• Six Minutes: How to Introduce a Speaker: 16 Essential Tips for Success
• Learning for Life: How to Introduce a Speaker