Allow Me To Introduce

I saw this in the blog by Allan Stevens. It is good advice for Rotarians when we introduce our weekly speaker.

 Introducing a speaker sounds the easiest thing in the world. However, there are some simple guidelines which make things much more professional and efficient for everyone concerned. Here are some do's and don'ts if you are called on to make an introduction.
Don't:

• Mention their name until the very end
• Give away their best story
• Use slides
• Mis-pronounce their name or title
• Read out a long. rambling introduction
• Act as though you've never heard of them

Do:

• Ask the speaker in advance how they would like to be introduced
• Let the speaker know who you are
• Prepare a brief note, on a card, of the key points
• Organise a technical rehearsal
• Walk through the movements on stage
• Smile
• Make sure that the last thing you say is the speaker's name. e.g. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please give a warm welcome to our main speaker - Alan Stevens"

A good introduction is brief, gains the attention of the audience, and prepares them to listen. Your job as introducer is to be a catalyst, not a performer.