Tip of the Week

When you are the Toastmaster for a meeting, you will be called upon to introduce speakers in the prepared speech program. Your role is not only to welcome the speaker but to perk the audience's interest in the presentation and to help the audience relate to the speaker. Remember to focus on the speaker in your introduction. It is not about you.

When you introduce a speaker, answer the following questions:

• Why this speaker? 
• Why this topic?    
• Why this audience? 
• Why this time?      

Keep your introductions brief, interesting and relevant. A rule of thumb for length is about 10% of the prepared speech time. Your role is to set the stage for the speaker; establish a connection between speaker and audience; and provide a warm welcome. When you have finished the introduction, always end with the speaker's name and lead the applause. When are you doing your next introduction? Give it a try!