How to Introduce Guest Speakers

An introduction can make or break a speech. Guest speakers rely on your interesting introduction to engage your audience. A good introduction requires research into the speaker’s qualities. Write the speech to explain what the audience will get when they listen. By memorizing your introduction and giving your presentation enthusiasm, you can make any guest speaker look great.

Table of Contents

Research on speakers

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Ask the speaker what they want you to say. In most cases, the speaker will prepare and give you an introduction. Even if they don’t, they can provide information for your use. If you can’t get to the speaker, talk to people who know them, such as their mutual acquaintances or colleagues. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If the speaker provides an introduction, use it. You should read through it a few times and be prepared to give a lively and enthusiastic presentation.

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Find out what the speaker will talk about. You can ask questions to know the focus of the speech. The speaker or event organizer can tell you. This way, you’ll be able to refine your speech to introduce the speaker’s topic. The introduction should give the correct information that the audience might want to hear. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For example, the speech will talk about encouraging young girls to learn computer programming. You shouldn’t take the time to explain how speakers can teach these skills to adults.

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Look up the speaker’s biographical information. Research the speaker’s profile online. Newspapers, interviews, and websites related to the speaker will provide this information. You can type their name into the search bar and sift through the details relevant to the speech. Usually, you’ll find the right facts for the intro. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

For example, a professor’s profile on the school’s website might tell you, “Miss Nhung used her scientific research to identify 10 new bird species.” Try to find information relevant to the topic they will cover.
Articles and interviews will also provide helpful background facts, such as “Miss Nhung spent last summer building schools in Africa.”

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Avoid using sensitive or embarrassing information without consent. Remember that your introduction is meant to highlight the speaker. Issues like legal troubles, health problems, or family problems are complicated. They waste time and create a negative image. It would be inappropriate to refer to the public criticism or controversy that others have made about the speaker. Talking about their family is also not a good idea.

Always ask the speaker’s permission before you use these details. Make sure you can explain why it’s important with the introduction.

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Find other speeches the speaker has made. When you find a keynote, pay special attention to the introduction. Look for any speaker details you can use. Read the speech out loud and look for well-written parts. You can adapt these sections to improve your intro. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Don’t use the speaker’s speech to write your introduction. Maybe they’ll give a different speech this time, so you’ll create false expectations for the audience.
Be careful if you are using information from another speech as it is copyrighted material and cannot be used without the consent of the speaker.

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Include a surprise detail if it matches the intro. You can find a detail that helps define the speaker’s personality but is less well known. That detail could also be information shared between you and the speaker. A pleasant surprise detail does not detract from the focus of the speech. In many cases, it can be used to make fun of the audience or celebrate the human qualities of the speaker. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

For example, you met a speaker while working at a dog adoption center. Introduce this connection at the beginning of your speech. End by affirming, “I know Ms. Nhung will inspire you to work better with schoolgirls—as well as your dog.”

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Correct pronunciation of the speaker’s name. Make sure you learn the correct pronunciation. You can find it online. If that’s not possible, contact the speaker, anyone they know, or the event organizer. Wrong pronunciation makes your introduction seem unprofessional. It confuses and hurts the reputation of both you and the speaker. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

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Check any speaker titles. Introducing speakers with appropriate titles shows professionalism and adds credibility to them. Refer a doctor as Doctor A. Refer a judge as Judge A. It is possible that the speaker has titles that you are not aware of, such as Sir or Dame for someone who is titled by British Royal. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Speakers can tell you how you should introduce them. This information can also be found online or from other people.

Write an introduction

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Limit intros to less than 3 minutes. Remember that your job is to introduce the speaker. The intro shouldn’t take up much of the event’s time. A few short paragraphs are enough. This is enough time to mention the quality of the speaker and capture the interest of the audience. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Explain the speaker’s qualifications. The goal of the introduction is to explain why the speaker was chosen to speak. Relevant reputable information will be said here. Highlight the speaker’s professionalism on the topic. Examples of qualifications include published work, work experience, and success stories. Show your audience that the speaker is authoritative, but keep the information short and relevant. ^{[9] X Research Source}

If the speaker is going to talk about improving teamwork, say that the speaker has changed the working environment at several Fortune 500 companies.
If the speech is about knitting at home, you don’t need to list all of your Fortune 500 degrees, awards, or work experience.

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Tell your audience what they will get by listening. Your task is to attract the attention of the audience. To do this, say that the audience will get a lot out of the speech. The knowledge should be relevant to the speaking event. For example, if the topic of a speech is public speaking, the audience wants to know what they can learn for their lives. ^{[10] X Research Source}

For example, you could say, “Today, Mr. Son is going to prove that anyone can speak in an engaging way, and a little bit of nervousness isn’t always bad news.”

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Include a short personal story if available. Chances are you were chosen to speak because you’ve already interacted with the speaker. You don’t need to know the speaker well to do this. When the speaker gets close to you, the audience will notice. They will be interested in you and want to hear the speech.

You might say, “Twenty years ago, I met a man and he challenged me to be better. He has become a good friend.”
You can also come up with a short story, such as “I heard Mr. Son speak in Miami and it moved me,” or, “Dr. Son shared his idea with me this morning. And I guarantee you will like it too.”
Be careful not to exaggerate as it can increase speaker expectations. It can lower your speaker’s confidence if you brag too much.

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Humor limited. Humorous stories take time and are often embarrassing or irrelevant to the speech. However, sometimes they also work. You’ll need to be careful when it comes to humor. In some cases, such as after a sad or tiring event, the audience needs to have a good laugh. ^{[11] X Research Source}

For example, you could say, “Brother Son inspired me to boldly build a cabinet. It fell apart in just 5 minutes/ And when I listened to his speech again, I learned so much that I could even open a closet store.”

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Introduce the last speaker’s name. The last word is for applause. Write a speech towards that goal. This is when the audience needs to show enthusiasm for the speaker. It is the only part of the speech where you introduce the speaker’s name and title. ^{[12] X Research Source}

For example, say, “Please join me in welcoming Dr. Son!”
You can also give the topic of the speech if necessary. This comes in handy during large events, when people come from different locations or have different speakers.
You can also introduce speakers at the beginning of your speech and repeat their names throughout the introduction. This helps create familiarity with the audience.

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Read the speech out loud. Complete your speech, then read it again. Listen to how it is. The tone of the introduction should be appropriate for the hall. Please change, remove unnecessary details or words. You can also try a timer. A good speech should sound fluent without being wordy. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Think about how you would respond to the introduction if you were the audience.

Presentation of speech

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Practice the introduction. A good introduction should be carefully prepared. Take time to rehearse before presenting. Relying on stage notes will distract the audience. Instead, make sure you memorize the words and can speak naturally. Your introduction should be fluent and enthusiastic. You can practice introducing yourself in many ways, such as recording yourself or speaking in front of people you know. ^{[14] X Research Source}

When stage fright is an issue, try memorizing the introduction while looking in the mirror. Once you feel comfortable, rehearse in front of family and friends.
Recording your intro is a simple way to listen to yourself when you’re alone. Listen again and look for areas that need improvement.

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Occasionally rehearse the introduction before going on stage. While waiting for your turn, you can review the intro. Practice a few times is fine, but avoid pressuring yourself with lots of rehearsals and memorization. Let yourself feel secure from the practice and enthusiasm for the speaker. It helps that the intro doesn’t sound like a script reading.

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Introduce yourself as you get started. It’s helpful to introduce your name and title if someone in the audience doesn’t know you. Keep it short so you can finish the rest of your introduction. Remember that you are introducing the speaker, so there is no need to elaborate on who you are. If someone has referred you before, you can skip this.

Say, “Hello audience. My name is Nguyen Hung and I am the organizer of this event.”
When people already know you, for example you are the teacher introducing the speaker to the class, you do not need to do this.

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Show enthusiasm when speaking. Because of practice, you will be ready to read the introduction with enthusiasm. Keep your energy levels high. Stand up straight. Boost your energy as you read the introduction by adding a little volume and confidence. Remember how you want your intro if you’re in the audience. You’ll want it to inspire attention in the speaker. ^{[15] X Research Source}

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Speak loud and clear. Many speakers become nervous or overly eager. They speak so fast that they cannot hear well. You should calm down. This ensures that your audience can clearly hear your every introduction. You should realize that every word is loud and can reach the people at the back of the room.

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Lead the applause. When it comes to the end, stay where you are. Emphasize the last words. Be the first to clap. As a presenter, you are supporting the speaker. The audience will follow your lead, and for a speaker, there’s nothing worse than faint applause. ^{[16] X Research Source}

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Turn toward the speaker as they step up. You should turn your body toward them, your feet toward them, and look them in the eye. Give the speaker a sincere smile. Stay where you are and keep clapping until they come close to you.

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Shake hands with the presenter. Shaking hands is a positive gesture. The audience will notice that. It is a friendly greeting that shows the relationship between you and the speaker. Continue to look at the speaker until they come to your place on the stage. Shake their hand and then confidently walk off the stage. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Advice

Get the speaker’s consent for the introduction you’ve written.
Forget stereotypes, such as “This person needs no introduction.” Instead, you should focus on making the intro unique and lively.
Ask the speaker to review the introduction provided if you feel it is not appropriate for the audience.

Steps

Research on speakers

Write an introduction

Presentation of speech

Advice

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