Your Bio!
Your audience doesn’t care how many children you have, where you went to college, or the fact you collect stamps.
Unless those facts are relevant to your presentation, they should not be included in your Introduction.
Unfortunately, most of the time, they are. It happens because the person introducing you, or the individual in charge of the event has grabbed your bio from your website, LinkedIn page, or other social media site and printed it for the emcee to read.
Example: “Our speaker, Fred Miller, is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he received a BS in Business. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife; has two children, three grandsons, and likes to travel.
The title of his talk this evening is, ’How to Craft a Great Elevator Speech, Floor-by-Floor, with – NO SWEAT!’ Help me welcome him!” (Clap! Clap! Clap!)
Now you know why I was chosen to deliver this talk, correct? – Not!
Your Introduction is an integral and important part of your presentation and it is your responsibility, as the speaker, to write it.
The Introduction sets the stage for what follows next – your presentation. It is the equivalent of the king’s trumpeters blowing their horns announcing his highness will soon be arriving. Your audience should be pumped and excited you will soon be taking the stage. Your Opening will start to legitimize their expectations.
Your audience is investing:
Time
A precious commodity that can’t be recovered when it’s gone.
Money
Their own, or someone else’s.
Opportunity Cost
They could be doing something else rather than attending the event.
Often, they were not involved in choosing you as the presenter. Many times it wasn’t their decision to attend your talk. Perhaps their boss or someone else made that call.
The audience should be asking themselves why you were chosen to speak on this topic. What credentials and life experiences do you possess that give you the right to speak to them?
An Introduction should answer three questions.
Why this Subject?
The topic should be something the majority of your audience has an interest in.
Why this Speaker?
Your credentials should be noted here. They may include education, personal experiences, awards, and other facts relevant to you and the topic.
Why Now?
This part should finalize in your audience’s mind why they will benefit from your message now.
Example: We have a Guest Speaker today!
Many people find climbing the career ladder, or succeeding in one’s own business, usually means doing some speaking in front of groups. It’s a huge credibility builder.
However, because of the Fear of Public Speaking, it’s an activity many dread.
It consistently ranks as one of the most common fears people share and holds many back from reaching their potential.
If you have this fear, or just want to be a better presenter, our speaker has a message for you.
His books. . . More of this Introduction is HERE
When chosen for any “Speaking Opportunity” make it clear to your contact it is your responsibility to write the Introduction and you will provide it in a timely manner. Don’t let them, or someone else, invest time and energy writing one or you could be undermining their efforts.
After writing your Introduction, it is important to get it into the hands of the person who will be introducing you at a reasonable time before your speech.
Your Introduction should be in large type with any specifics, such as pauses and inflections, clearly noted.
Review, and even coach the master of ceremonies prior to his presenting you. Your goal is to make that person notable because this is a “Speaking Opportunity” for them.
Follow these guidelines for writing your Introduction and the next time you are introduced, this part of your presentation will be – NO SWEAT!
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About the Author Fred E. Miller is a speaker, an international coach, and the author of the books, “NO SWEAT Public Speaking!” and “NO SWEAT Elevator Speech!”
Businesses, Individuals, and Organizations hire him because they want to improve their Networking, Public Speaking, and Presentation Skills.
They do this because they know: Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
They also know:
We perceive really great speakers to be Experts, and we like to work with Experts.
He shows them how to: Develop, Practice, and Deliver ‘Knock Your Socks Off Presentations!’ with – NO SWEAT!
Services:
Keynote Speaker
Workshop Facilitator
Breakout Sessions
Personal and Group Public Speaking and Presentation Coaching
Topics:
Lessening The Fear of Public Speaking with – NO SWEAT!
Crafting Your Elevator Speech, Floor by Floor with – NO SWEAT!
Speaking Opportunities are Business, Career, and Leadership Opportunities.
We are All Self-Employed!
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