How to Introduce a Guest Speaker

An introduction can make or break a speech. The guest speaker relies on your engaging introduction to capture the audience's attention. A strong introduction requires thorough research into the speaker’s qualities. Craft your speech to explain what the audience can expect to gain from listening. By memorizing the introduction and presenting it with enthusiasm, you can make any guest speaker shine.

Ask the speaker what they would like you to say. In most cases, the speaker will have prepared an introduction for you. If they haven’t, they can provide information for you to use. If you're unable to meet the speaker, try talking to people who know them, such as mutual acquaintances or colleagues.

• If the speaker provides an introduction, use it. Read through it a few times and prepare to deliver it with energy and enthusiasm.

Understand the topic the speaker will address. You can ask questions to learn the focus of the speech. The speaker or the event organizer may provide this information. This allows you to tailor your introduction to align with the speaker's topic. The introduction should provide accurate details that the audience will find relevant.

• For instance, if the speech is about motivating young girls to learn computer programming, avoid wasting time explaining how the speaker might teach these skills to adults.

Research the speaker's biography. Look for the speaker's information online. Articles, interviews, and relevant websites will provide insights. You can search for their name and sift through details related to the speech topic. Often, you'll find noteworthy facts suitable for the introduction.

• For example, a professor’s biography on the university website might mention, “Dr. Nhung has used her scientific research to identify 10 new bird species.” Try to focus on details related to the topic they will present.
• Articles and interviews can also provide useful, basic facts like “Dr. Nhung spent last summer building schools in Africa.”

Avoid using sensitive or awkward information without consent. Remember that your introduction should highlight the speaker positively. Legal troubles, health issues, or family matters are complex and detract from the focus of the speech. It’s not appropriate to mention public criticism or controversies others have raised about the speaker. Discussing their family is also not advisable.

• Always ask the speaker’s permission before including such details. Ensure you can explain why they are relevant to the introduction.

Look for other speeches the speaker has given. When you find one, pay close attention to the introduction. Look for any details about the speaker that you can use. Read the speech aloud and identify well-written segments. You can model your introduction on these parts to improve your own.

• Don’t use the speaker’s speech to write your introduction. They might be presenting something entirely different this time, and you could mislead the audience with incorrect expectations.
• Be cautious when using information from another speech, as it might be copyrighted and can’t be used without the speaker’s permission.

Include a surprising detail if it fits the introduction. You may discover an interesting but lesser-known fact about the speaker that helps define their personality. This could be something shared between you and the speaker. A surprising detail that doesn't overshadow the speech's focus can often be used to engage the audience or highlight the speaker’s human qualities.

• For instance, if you met the speaker while working at a dog adoption center, you could mention this connection at the beginning of the speech. End by saying, “I know Dr. Nhung will inspire you to do better work with the young girls – and your dog!”

Pronounce the speaker's name correctly. Make sure to learn the proper pronunciation. You can find this information online. If you're still unsure, reach out to the speaker, anyone they know, or the event organizer. Mispronouncing the name makes your introduction seem unprofessional. It creates confusion and damages both your and the speaker’s credibility.

Verify the speaker's titles. Introducing the speaker with their correct title demonstrates professionalism and enhances their credibility. For example, refer to a doctor as Dr. [Name] or a judge as Judge [Name]. The speaker might have titles you're unfamiliar with, such as Sir or Dame, which are awarded by the British royal family.

• The speaker may inform you of how they prefer to be introduced. This information can also be found online or through others who know them.

Keep the introduction under 3 minutes. Remember, your role is to introduce the speaker. The introduction should not take up too much time during the event. A few short paragraphs are sufficient. This time is enough to highlight the speaker's qualities and grab the audience's attention.

Explain the speaker’s expertise. The introduction should explain why the speaker was chosen to speak. Share relevant, credible information here. Emphasize the speaker's professional background on the topic. Examples of expertise include published works, work experience, and success stories. Present the speaker as an authority, but keep the details concise and pertinent.

• If the speaker will talk about improving teamwork, mention that they’ve transformed work environments at several Fortune 500 companies.
• If the speech is about home knitting, there's no need to list all their degrees, awards, or Fortune 500 experience.

Inform the audience about what they will gain from listening. Your role is to grab the audience's attention. To do so, let them know what they will take away from the speech. The information should be relevant to the event. For example, if the topic of the speech is public speaking, the audience will want to understand how it can be applied to their own lives.

• For instance, you could say, “Today, Mr. Son will prove that anyone can deliver an engaging speech, and a little nervousness doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.”

Share a brief personal story, if appropriate. It’s likely you’ve been selected to speak because you’ve had some interaction with the speaker. You don’t need to be closely acquainted to do this. When the speaker seems relatable, the audience will notice. They will connect with you and look forward to the speech.

• You could say, “Twenty years ago, I met a man who challenged me to become better. He’s become a great friend.”
• Alternatively, you can share a short story like, “I heard Mr. Son speak in Miami, and it moved me,” or “Dr. Son shared his thoughts with me this morning, and I promise you’ll enjoy them too.”
• Be cautious not to over-exaggerate, as it may raise expectations too high. This could lower the speaker’s confidence if you boast too much.

Limit humor. Funny stories can be distracting and sometimes cause awkwardness or seem irrelevant to the speech. However, they can be effective in certain situations. You'll need to judge when humor is appropriate. For example, after a somber or tiring event, the audience might appreciate a lighthearted break.

• For example, you might say, “Mr. Son inspired me to confidently build a cabinet. It fell apart in just five minutes. But after hearing his speech again, I learned so much that I could now open a store selling cabinets!”

Introduce the speaker’s name at the end. The final words should be for applause. Write your speech with this purpose in mind. This is the moment when the audience should show their enthusiasm for the speaker. It’s the only part of your speech where you mention their name and title.

• For example, you might say, “Please join me in welcoming Dr. Son!”
• You can also introduce the topic of the speech if necessary. This can be helpful at large events where people come from different places or when there are multiple speakers.
• Alternatively, you can introduce the speaker at the beginning and mention their name throughout the introduction. This creates familiarity with the audience.

Read your speech aloud. Once you’ve completed your speech, read it out loud. Pay attention to how it sounds. The tone of the introduction should be suited to the venue. Make adjustments as needed, removing unnecessary details or words. You can also time yourself. A good speech will flow naturally without being too long.

• Consider how you would respond to the introduction if you were in the audience.

Practice the introduction. A good introduction should be carefully prepared. Set aside time to rehearse before you present. Relying on notes on stage can be distracting to the audience. Instead, ensure you memorize the words and speak naturally. Your introduction should flow smoothly and with enthusiasm. You can rehearse in various ways, such as recording yourself or practicing in front of familiar faces.

• If stage fright is an issue, try memorizing the introduction while looking in the mirror. Once you feel comfortable, practice in front of family and friends.
• Recording your introduction is an easy way to listen to yourself when alone. Play it back and identify areas that need improvement.

Occasionally rehearse before stepping on stage. While waiting for your turn, you can review your introduction. A few quick rehearsals are fine, but avoid putting too much pressure on yourself with endless practice and memorization. Let the comfort from your practice and enthusiasm for the speaker ease your nerves. This will help the introduction feel more natural and not like reading from a script.

Introduce yourself at the beginning. Introducing your name and title can be helpful if someone in the audience doesn’t know you. Keep it brief so you can get to the rest of the introduction. Remember, you’re introducing the speaker, so there’s no need to go into lengthy explanations about who you are. If someone has already introduced you, feel free to skip this.

• You could say, “Hello, everyone. I’m Nguyen Hung, the organizer of this event.”
• If people already know you, such as if you're a teacher introducing a speaker to a class, this step isn’t necessary.

Show enthusiasm when speaking. After practicing, you’ll be ready to deliver the introduction with enthusiasm. Keep your energy levels high. Stand tall. Boost your energy while speaking by raising your volume slightly and speaking with confidence. Think about how you’d want the introduction to sound if you were in the audience. You’ll want it to inspire attention toward the speaker.

Speak loudly and clearly. Many speakers become nervous or overly excited, leading them to speak too quickly for the audience to hear. You need to calm down and make sure every part of your introduction is clear and understandable. Each word should be spoken clearly and loudly enough to reach even the people sitting at the back of the room.

Lead the applause. When you reach the end of your introduction, stand still and emphasize your final words. Be the first to clap. As the introducer, you are setting the tone for the audience. They will follow your lead, and for the speaker, nothing is worse than weak applause.

Face the speaker as they step up. Turn towards them with your feet pointing in their direction and make eye contact. Give them a warm smile. Stand your ground and continue applauding until they reach the stage near you.

Shake hands with the speaker. A handshake is a positive gesture that the audience will notice. It’s a friendly greeting that reflects the relationship between you and the speaker. Continue to look at them as they approach you on stage, offer a handshake, and then confidently step off the stage.

• Ask the speaker for their approval of the introduction you've prepared.
• Avoid using clichéd phrases like 'This person needs no introduction.' Instead, focus on making the introduction unique and engaging.
• If you feel the introduction doesn’t suit the audience, ask the speaker to review and provide feedback on it.