Effective Emcee-ing! June 22, 2007
Posted by Gary in Effective Emceeing (Tips!), Events & Experiences, Public Speaking, The Shy Speakers' Guide, Thoughts and Reflections.trackback
I’ve learnt a great deal during my stints as Emcee over the last couple of months… and here are some insights for anyone who wishes to be an effective emcee or are just starting out emceeing themselves.
Role of the Emcee
As the Emcee, (or Masters of Ceremonies), you are the bridge between the audience and the “Stars”. These are usually the contest participants (if you’re hosting a contest), or the speaker/trainers (if you’re hosting a seminar, workshop or lecture).
You are the star maker, not the star! You are the grease that lubricates the flow of events of the programme. You are not there to hog the limelight, or steal it from the main characters of the night.
The role of the Emcee is to facilitate the event and ensures that programme materializes without a hitch (or minimise those hitches that come up).
Responsibilities of the Emcee – Remember T.I.M
Time – As Emcee, you are the king of the programme. You are the one in charge of the time and sequence of events. You are in CONTROL! You are responsible for ensuring that events start and end on time.
Introducer – Members of the audience may or may not know the speakers/participants as well as you do. Yet, the success of the entire event is very much dependent on them knowing the credentials of the speaker or background of the participants. This background knowledge is crucial in establishing credibility and rapport between the speakers and participants respectively.
Do your job well and the next person who follows will have a much easier time saying their piece. The event will move on smoothly. Otherwise…
Mood Setter – As Emcee, you are the participant’s leader. You have to lead them in applause and appraisal. You are their guide and you’ve to win the crowd over with your enthusiasm! Your enthusiasm is extremely contagious, and if you work it correctly, the audience will follow your cue at reacting and appraising the speaker/participants.
Some things to do as Emcee: 1 A 5Bs
Be Enthusiastic – Your Attitude’s Contagious! Infect the crowd with it!
Be Proactive – As the Programme Controller, you’re IN CHARGE! You’re the bridge between everyone (audience and speaker, speaker and organiser, organiser and timer etc). Know what has to be done and make sure it gets done.
Be Early – Reach the event venue before the first guest arrive so that logistical and technical (ie: microphone tests and the sound system) matters can be ironed out. Also, meet and discuss your concerns (if any) regarding anything that you think needs to be done. Arriving early will also give you time to settle down and observe and analyse the crowd to help you adapt your style later.
Be Professional – Do not eat, drink, or smoke on stage. As the Emcee, you’re part of the face for the event. The audience will not get a chance to see the backroom staff and technical assistants. As mentioned, you are the glue for the event. Maintain the decorum and leave a positive image for everyone to carry home. If you’ve got to eat, drink, or smoke, do it where nobody can see you!
Be Prepared – Know the programme and prepare notes if you must. Memorise the sequence of events if you need. No. It’s best if you memorised it! You’re allowed to hold some cards or the programme sheet or cue cards in your hand. But do not attempt to read from the script which you’ve prepared the night before!
Handling Apologies – Understand that mistakes may (and WILL) occur from time to time. Apologise and move on. Keep your cool and get on the with the programme. There’s no need to freeze or apologise profusely. The audience aren’t there to hear you apologise, they’re there for the programme!
* * *
There you have it!
Some tips and strategies for effective emceeing!
It’s my first post. But don’t count on it being the last!
i like it
ill be hosting a program on a dance drama presentation ..pls send me sample lines to my e-mail
hey folks…i never regreted the day the browsed this site and ask a help from gary…it was all about my hosting on a certain program…i asked his help about delivering the program well..he sent me his suggestions and i gladly considered them…as a result , the program turned out a great success..thanks again gary…
am lester siscon from phils.
you’ve got very informative site.. i hope to receive more helpful lines and tips in successful emceeing. thanks and more power.
hi!
I’ll be emceeing a 3 day seminar-workshop for newly hired teachers. This is my first time to do the assigned task. Could you please help me with some helpful lines in preparing my script?
Thanks and more power!
hi! this is helpful, I will bo emceeing in a national conference (1st time, hopefully not the last) amd I haven’t done any emceeing in a long while. I hope I could get more on emceeing tips (do’s and dont’s re language, humour and attire). I’m freaking out! Help!
this is mary ann medillo from compostela national high school.I will be emceeing a big affair which is the visit of US Peace Corps volunteer, i would like to ask some help in preparing a rough draft like this one.Hoping for a positive response.
hi,
this is mary ann….i have learned lots of things from your site, could you please give me a script or helpful lines because i will be emceeing a wedding affair.
THAKS AND MORE POWER!
Hi Mary Ann,
do you have a rough draft of the program for the national conference?
Hi Mary Ann Medillo its a pleasure to me to see your name on the net…
I just say thank you for we have the same family name…
Im Jun Medillo from Mindanao,Phil…but now living in Ulaanbaatar,Mongolia….in between China and Russia.
I give you my email add: mongol_2006@hotmail.com
More info. about our family..Pls. feel free to email me.
I count this a blessing….thanks
Jun
Hi Gary, this post is awesome! =)
I’m really inclined to learn to speak well and host events too! Thanks! Hope to learn more from you!!
Natasha ^.^
Hi! I’ll be hosting/emceeing our Philippine Independence Day celebration 2 weeks from now. I haven’t emceed for a while now and I’d like to ask advices and suggestions or tips from you regarding opening a program . I’d like it to be a lively one as we will be opening the program with a dance number. A rough draft would be very helpful.
Thank you so much.
hi gary! i hope you can help me in the same manner you’ve helped the others. just need some tips on emceeing 50th bday party of my boss. it’s my first time. it’s just a short program which includes giving of token, an AVP and a live band.
hope to hear from you!
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We will have our seminar tomorrow and I was chosen to be the emcee. I don’t know what to do! I mean I can speak in front of the people but my problem is I do not know how to open the seminar, to inject humor..etc… I think I’m gonna die.
Hi Jehan,
one full-proof way you can use to open the seminar is to talk about the significance of the event and what it can do for the audience.
The key of an emcee is to facilitate a programme – that means introducing the seminar, it’s components and the speakers who will be speaking.
Be positive and seek to elevate/heighten each segment by explaining the significance of each segment. Having ample background information helps!
That said, remember this: your PRIMARY objective’s to facilitate. Humour is an advanced tool’s that good to have.
Let’s work on the fundamentals considering the short time you’ve got to prepare.
All the best!
Gary
hi I’m ralph
you really help me. This page help about our incoming seminar of being a good emcee, your page really helps tnx
hello!
Im maria from cebu. this site is so cool. to the creator of this site, would you please please please send me samples of the format for an event an/or samples of what’s usually written sa cue cards. kudos!!!!!!
hi gary
tnx for ur tips, this site really helps/encourage me to do my first to emcee a seminar. dont have any idea how to start doing emcee. hope as others you could assist me for nice lines and tips for my script, thanks so much in advance.
hello. i need your help. can you give me a special tips on emceeing a pageant.is that rigth to put some jokes on it bec its a school affair?pls repz as soon as possible.godbless you
hi!
i got the best clue from u..”saludo!”
but, can u give me an example of a script to be used on literary musical contest?…’am gonna be the emcee in our town this oct. 3…help me please…thanks a lot.
God bless you…
Kindly send it on my mail…thank you again.
good afternoon, sir! i’m farida from philippines. i would be emceeing in our upcoming national seminar which has the theme “soar high: boost your best asset in pursuing a career”
can you help me, sir? you know, providing a draft regarding this please. thank you so much!
thank you very much, really for this site that i have found… the tips had helped me so much… i made to think before hosting a program that i have to follow those suggested tips to make the program successful…and, i was too glad….many people were impressed of it….thank you very much…God bless and more power!
mericel, from iloilo, philippines
thank you very much for the tips!..
i will be emceeing on wednesday ,.NUrses Week
could you please send me samples of the format or a draft on how to conduct such program,..thank you very much….
hi, I’ll be emceeing this coming friday and i’m a bit worried on how to do it since it will be my first time to host a program… i’m scared i might forget some words or worse thing is i might experience stage fright… please give me some tips on what are the most commonly used words in emceeing… i’ll be hosting an upcoming retirement program of our school principal… HELP!
Hi Gary,
It is a great pleasure to found your really informative website. I have tried to search for such website, but I found out yours is more helpful and make sense.
2 more days, I will be the chairperson to a seminar, and this is my first time. It would be a great help if I can get a sample or draft for the event. thank you v much.
siti, my
Dear Sir Gary…
hi! i’m Knoll from tagum city.. i will be hosting our convocation program on November 24, 2008… can you please enlighten or give me some format on a proper hosting of a program for all government officials and employees of davao del norte..thanks..
Hello Gary,
I am thankful that I have found an informative site. I have some ideas on the basic tips on how to maintain composure infront of the audience.
If you can extend your help, please send me a sample of script of an emcee during formal program during the burning of evidence activity with the presence of judges and law enforcers(How to introduce the guests,the purpose of the activity, thank the guests,etc). The event will be scheduled two days from now.
I hope I can count on you.
Looking forward,
Gail
very informative for beginners like me! kudos
Thanks honey!
im glad i found this.. im emcee-ing in 2 days.. but still i need more tips…
Hi!This is a nice website. I usually work as an emcee for Christmas and New Year’s Party in hotels here in Phuket Thailand. The tips here are very informative.Thanks.
hi gary.., im a newbie in the world of emceeing..my friends and i just built a team for events coordination. we coordinate kiddie parties, debuts, weddings and other events w/c includes hosting services. last year i have been chosen to be an emcee for friend’s wedding and i got kudos afterwards. but i know there are still a lot of rooms for improvement. i want to be a better emcee… a lively and bubbly emcee!..esp for wedding receptions. our first client booked our team to coordinate her wedding and chose our package with me as the emcee this may 24,2009.. i hope u can give me tips or a sample script that i can use as a guideline..appreciate it a lot!!!! thanks so much.
—CHERRIE
Hi,
Would appreciate to get some tips on emceeing for golf tournament to be attended by VIPs. What are the words to be used, to be avoided, jokes to be shared as I am not a golfer but requested to be an emcee.
Thanks in advance
Regards
Mathilda
helpful tips. i will be doing an emcee job this coming saturday for the induction of officers.
can u send some samples or a flow of how i will start on it.
Thank you
hi gary! i had a great time reading this site. i gives me motivation and learned so much from it.
i’m going to host a research presentation next week in our hospital, can i request a sample script or advice particularly in the introducing our speaker in the welcoming remarks, announcement and awarding of the winners and for the closing remarks?
i strongly believe in ur capability and it is my fervent hope that u can help me on this.
thanks so much!
ian
Hi! Thanks for the tip. It would really help in our next team building.
Do you offer a workshop on this?
Hi Gary,
I read several of your posts, and they really make me appreciate the opportunity to speak in front of audiences. It’s a privilege rather than something to be scared of. However, off course the fear of public speaking does not that easily go away. No perfect, but we can make progress.
Cheers
Gary,
Thank you so much for sharing this site. Its very helpful. Im one of those people who have stage fright but im force to emcee as it is part of my job. and your site greatly help me. i hope you can post sample words transition. I often say “now to give us an inspirational message….or..and now for the intermission” i notice the audience get bored with my “nows”. i hope you can email me some of your transition words or perhaps a sample of your script as my guide.
Thank you in advance.
More Power!
remia
Gary,
Thank you so much for sharing this site. Its very helpful. Im one of those people who have stage fright but im force to emcee as it is part of my job. and your site greatly help me. i hope you can post sample words transition. I often say “now to give us an inspirational message….or..and now for the intermission” i notice the audience get bored with my “nows”. i hope you can email me some of your transition words or perhaps a sample of your script as my guide.
Thank you in advance.
More Power!
remia
hi!i am hoping you will help me, i will be an emcee of a one day seminar about family medicine and my participants are health care professionals . hope you can send me a sample draft.
thank you so much!
Thanks for this, Great post.
hi,there! I think i really need your help. i’ll be hosting an event regarding our foundation day, could you please send me a samples of script on how to start the program. honestly speaking im really clueless when it comes to emceeing. i really have no background about it. and if God permits this will be my first ever doing the said task. i hope you could help regarding this.
thanks and Godbless!
THANK YOU FOR A VERY WONDERFUL WEBSITE CREATID FOR EMCEE’S LIKE US……….
THANK YOU FOR A VERY WONDERFUL WEBSITE CREATED FOR EMCEE’S LIKE US……….
Wow ! This is very informative. Thanks for the tips.
Hello! Have a nice day! Thank you so much for sharing this worthwhile information.It’s so nice and a great help. Hope to read more informative and enriching tips from you. God bless you and more power.
Hello! Have a nice day! Thank you so much for sharing this worthwhile information.It’s so nice and a great help. Hope to read more informative and enriching tips from you. God bless you and more power.
Gemma