Watch this keynote introduction! I control how I am introduced because it sets the energy tone for my speech opening!
What if you can ensure high energy, engagement, intrigue and laughter even before you start speaking?
In regards to professional speaking, our speech introduction sets the energy tone before we even start.
YES, this is possible because it's purposeful. As a professional speaker, you have to understand that you must do what you can to control every aspect of your speech that includes what happens as you are being introduced!
If you're pursuing professional speaking, do you have an incredible speech intro that makes the audience laugh, like you and plant seeds of intrigue?
I've learned over the years that my speech introduction can differentiate me as much as my speech!
Think about it ... whoever is introducing you is likely NOT a professional speaker. They are either in high leadership for the company, a vendor who paid to be the Keynote Sponsor, or someone on the planning committee.
I had a presentation earlier today, a virtual presentation tomorrow and another in-person presentation at lunch ... all of them are receiving a customized speech introduction.
For some groups, the person introducing you does not speak well NOR do they want to speak. So unless you control your introduction, you will not be introduced well.
For other groups, even if the person introducing you speaks somewhat, that doesn't mean you'll be introduced the way you need to be. See below.
Regardless who introduces you, if you're not introduced well then you cannot start speaking as well as you'd like either.
Most speakers have horrible, boring, vanilla speech introductions. Eekkkkk ....
So "what if" you can ensure high energy, engagement, intrigue and laughter even before you start speaking?
You can! Watch my examples below.
This is the essence of professional speaking. Professional speakers who are serious about the business of speaking and earning consistent PAID speaking engagements understand that intention and strategy comprise a great speech.
My speech introduction sets the audience and energy tone before I even start speaking. How about you? Do you have a systems approach controlling how you are introduced?
Here's what I do for every single speech:
let the meeting planner know I have a customized introduction with slides.
include a clause on all speaking contracts that I will send them a customized introduction.
type up a customized introduction that's tailored for their event and audience. Although I have a sample introduction on my website, it's always tailored.
send introduction to them in advance and also bring 2 printed copies onsite. If it's virtual, there's additional requirements (see below).
on the introduction document, I also include directions and tips on the introduction. For example, "Read introduction in full. Slides accompany introduction. Pause where :) emojis are indicated because the audience will be laughing, etc."
meet with the person introducing me beforehand to remind/confirm all of the above.
include slides for my introduction before on my presentation slide deck.
I control the slides with a slide advancer during the introduction.
If above sounds like a lot, it's not. It's my system that is quite simple. Once you have a process for anything, it's easily replicable.
If you want to speak professionally, you must control your environment as best as possible. How you start will likely dictate how you finish.
So start strong and have a process for how you are introduced.
For me, I start speaking with "Don't Stop Believin" as my walk up music. I have this music embedded in the darn presentation! See below.
So before I ever start speaking, I've got my audience laughing and intrigued.
Within 60 seconds of me taking the stage or being in front of them (no stage), I've got "most" every one of them waving hands, smiling and singing out loud to "Don't Stop Believin."
It's not as hard as you might be making it.
And of course, a great introduction is not as important as an even greater speech.
Below is one sample introduction from last week. You can't hear the audience well but they were chuckling and laughing throughout the introduction!
And here's another... In this speech I even explain why the introduction is unique. You can see my slides better in this video. Within 60 seconds I had 1/2 the audience standing up on their feet!
To receive a FREE, autographed PRINT copy of any of my books above, make a donation in any amount to my walk team, Snyder’s Changemakers, for the upcoming Walk For HOPE annual event. After doing so, then send an email to Kevin@KevinCSnyder.com and include your address and which book.
If your donation is $100 or more, we will send you all 3 books! The Foundation of HOPE provides seed grants for ground breaking research studying mental illness. Same year this amazing organization was formed is the same year I started receiving treatment as a 12 year old boy diagnosed with depression. I just recently found out that my mental health counselor is one of the faculty studying mental health through seeds grants provided by the Foundation of Hope. Yet another reason why I'm so passionate about their cause, purpose and mission.