When you are the Host, Emcee (Master of Ceremonies) or Fundraising Auctioneer of an event, your role is absolutely vital to the success of the program – whether it’s for your company, a professional association or a nonprofit organization. A bad Emcee can ruin an event, while an excellent one creates a fluid and engaging experience in which speakers feel comfortable and the audience feels included from start to finish. Not to mention leaving guests feeling inspired to learn more!
“A great Corporate Event Emcee, Host or Auctioneer understands the mission of the event, sharing it with the crowd through interaction and engagement, making the corporate event seem seamless.”
There are common threads and key considerations to becoming the best Corporate Event Emcee, Host or Auctioneer you can be. I’ll list them below, and hopefully they give you some good insights!
- Clearly Define Why You Are There.
A Corporate Emcee, Host or Fundraising Auctioneer is a chameleon, wearing many hats, ranging from speaker introductions to developing the entire event script and run-of-show, as well as guiding the audiences on their event journey. Each occasion is unique, so working together with your event planner and the client to outline how to make that impact most effectively, is crucial. - Do Your Research.
Knowing everything about the event, the company, the speakers or the cause you are representing is the key to resonating with audiences. A great Emcee or Host will manage & engage with the speakers about the event theme, the mission, and discuss expectations about what they want to get out of the event with their messaging. Learn keywords and facts about the event mission itself, and ensure you know your audience demographic. Knowing who you are speaking to at a conference, event, gala or fundraiser is essential for a great Host or Emcee to adapt to tone and messaging! - Set the Stage.
The Host or Emcee is always the face of the event. You are the person that sets the tone right from the start with your energy, confidence and spirit. Coming right out the gate to engage with the audience in a fun, interactive and compassionate way will get them on your side. The bottom line is, if they don’t like you, it will throw a shade over their entire event experience! Be personable, informative and interesting. This takes practice, research and confidence! - Be Clear & Concise in Your Transitions & Introductions.
Short, clear and confident introductions go a long way for the Host or Emcee to set the stage for the heralded speakers. The feeling of respect and admiration for the person you are introducing has to come across to the audience, who in turn with edge closer on their seats, in anticipation of the next speaker. Build up the speaker in a subtle and informative way – no need to have a lengthy introduction when succinct and confident will do! - Keep to the Timeline.
I would say that if you are to learn anything from this article, keeping the run-of-show on time and running smoothly is it. I can’t count how many corporate events and seminars I have hosted and moderated, where one or two of the speakers was on track to go way over their allotted time, or simply to cause a delay to the flow of the show. To be honest, if this happens, it is not on them. It’s on you as the Emcee. Be sure to discuss with the Speakers and Event Organizers about the importance of their timings before the show. It will also give you an extra chance to develop that rapport with them – which will in turn be reflected when on stage together! Of course, there will be times, particularly in a Panel Discussion, when the topic of conversation is truly riveting the audience. This is when an Emcee is at his or her best – they know when to truly make allowances for time, and have already foreseen it enough in advance to still keep to the overall event schedule. It’s all about adaptation! - Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse!
Have you ever got up on stage at an event, not having been there before in your mind’s eye? I have, and it really affected my performance. It was when I was starting out as an Emcee & Corporate Host many years ago, and my youthful arrogance led me to not rehearse in the lead up to the event. Schoolboy error! I soon realized that I was unfamiliar with the sound system, the lighting direction, and, most importantly, I lacked the confidence of someone who has prepared!
From that day onwards, I made it my mission to always be prepared. That ability to know that when you go live on stage, you are ready – you have been there before in your mind. As a keen golfer, I apply the same logic before any shot I take. I imagine the flight of the ball, how I intend on hitting it, and where it will land. It is the same for being on stage. If you have rehearsed the day before, or the morning of the event, any potential obstacles or worries can be dealt with in time – without having to stress about it later!
- Keep all Eyes on the Stage.
Too many times will an Emcee, Host or Fundraising Auctioneer make the mistake of giving the audience a chance to be distracted. They may leave the stage too early, leaving a gap before the next speaker gets up. They may turn their back on the audience when speaking. They may pause too long. Audience’s patience and attentions spans are very short. As a Corporate Emcee, Host or Auctioneer, your job is to maintain engagement levels at all times, keeping the guests enthusiastic and focused.
The above are just 7 helpful tips to being a great Emcee, Auctioneer or Host. Look out for more articles on this exciting world of Corporate Hosting & Emceeing, and feel free to share your thoughts with me!
Jordan Campbell is a British Emcee, Host, Benefit Auctioneer & Speaker based in Atlanta, Georgia. He has hosted hundreds of events around the world, with big and small companies alike. His international experience, charisma and flair for professional presenting, makes his a much sought after on-stage presence for Corporates and Event Companies across Atlanta and the United States!
