Q&A for How to Introduce a Guest Speaker

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  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest speaker in a classroom?
    Deb DiSandro
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens.
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Expert Answer
    Use a phrase like, "We have a special guest today, who I am excited to introduce you to." Of course, this all depends on the age of the students.
  • Question
    How do I introduce more than one guest speaker?
    Deb DiSandro
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens.
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Expert Answer
    Give each person the same amount of time in the introduction. But, don't make your introduction long-winded. Just say less about each speaker.
  • Question
    My guest speaker keeps insisting on introducing himself when I have been very clear that this cannot happen. How can I persuade him?
    Deb DiSandro
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens.
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Expert Answer
    If your speaker is a seasoned professional, listen to his reasons. He knows what he is doing. If he is new to speaking, you can explain that your introduction is meant to set him up for success. Then ask him what you can add to the introduction that will support this goal.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a former president of an association?
    Deb DiSandro
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens.
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Expert Answer
    It's best to acknowledge and thank them for their service to the organization.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest speaker on graduation day?
    Deb DiSandro
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens.
    Owner, Speak Up On Purpose
    Expert Answer
    Keep it brief. Graduations and graduation speakers are long enough! You don't want to go on and on, and share stories that are irrelevant to the graduates. It's their day! Let them shine.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest speaker in a graduation day celebration?
    Community Answer
    Follow the steps above. Make sure you know what the speaker has accomplished and what they'll be covering. Introduce them by stating how they impacted your life and what they can teach the graduates.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a speaker who is a doctor?
    Community Answer
    Follow the steps above. Remember to convince the audience that the doctor is an authority that has important information to convey. Don't forget to cite their doctor title when saying their name.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest speaker at a Valentine's party?
    Community Answer
    Introduce the person by explaining his or her background, interests and reason for attending the event. Briefly explain the reason you wanted this person to speak at the Valentine's party.
  • Question
    How do I welcome people to a party?
    Community Answer
    Welcome them with a smile showing your kindness and appreciation. Thank them for anything they may have brought. Then usher them to the party room, taking coats if needed.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest who is a minister?
    Terrence MacArthur
    Community Answer
    It depends on his position and official title. It might be The Reverend John Johnson, pastor of the Eastside Baptist Church. Or the Right Reverend Charles McIntyre (Episcopalian/Anglican). Or Father Bill Smith, parish priest of St. Michael's parish (Catholic) or Dr. Kevin Smedly, pastor of whatever church (for a pastor of a protestant denomination who holds a Doctor of Divinity degree). The official title will depend on which religion, then his name, then follow it with his position and the name of the church, parish, or whatever.
  • Question
    Should a guest speaker be the first one introduced?
    Community Answer
    The guest speaker should be introduced just before the speech. If the speech is the first event of the day or evening, he would be introduced first.
  • Question
    How is a speaker profiled?
    Community Answer
    Introduce the guest with passion and energy. Make him sound interesting.
  • Question
    Who usually introduces and welcomes a guest speaker?
    Community Answer
    Usually the person in charge of the event is the one who introduces a guest speaker, but it could be anyone who is appointed to do so.
  • Question
    Should a guest film maker be introduced before or after the screening of his film?
    Community Answer
    Usually they are introduced before the film.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a chairholder?
    Community Answer
    Keep your introduction the same as it would be for anyone else, for the most part. It should reflect the speech they'll give. If they're going to talk about a serious matter, such as business or academics, your introduction will most likely be a little dry. Try to keep it short and relevant and then turn the floor over to the chairholder.
  • Question
    How do I start a speech on corruption with a quote and also introduce myself?
    Community Answer
    Use a meaningful quote that is relevant to the speech subject. If you are giving the introduction for yourself, briefly explain the quote and use it to outline what you'll be talking about. You can then briefly express your qualifications on the subject.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a speaker at a wedding?
    Community Answer
    For a wedding, you can most likely afford to use a little humor. You probably have a personal connection with the speaker. Use it to briefly express the impact the speaker has had in your life and the lives of others.
  • Question
    How should I introduce a guest speaker in a coronation night?
    Community Answer
    You can note how it's a good night and you're glad to be here for this glorious event. Talk about why the speaker is here and what good will come out of what they'll say. This is a celebration, so you can approach it from that angle.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a student's speaker?
    Community Answer
    What do you know about the speaker? Follow the steps above and explain why they're worth listening to.
  • Question
    How do I introduce a guest speaker who has many distinctions?
    Community Answer
    You can list them one by one, preferably with a little bit detail about a few impressive ones so it doesn't seem like monotonous. For eg: Dr Jenny Ray has a PhD in biology, which is befitting for a firm environmentalist, a degree in law, a masters in... and so on.
  • Question
    How do you introduce a newly elected politician who has no track record to speak of?
    Ali Garbacz
    Community Answer
    In this case, focus more on their personality, passions, and any volunteer work or other relevant experiences they've had.
  • Question
    How should I introduce a guest speaker at a graduation ceremony?
    Ali Garbacz
    Community Answer
    Focus on their achievements and their connection to the people who are graduating. Maybe they're esteemed alumni or a big sponsor of the school or program. Go ahead and mention these things as well as any anecdotes you think are worthy of mentioning.
  • Question
    How do I say a guest speaker has experience in a field of study?
    Ali Garbacz
    Community Answer
    Mention their educational background (i.e., John graduated from [name of university] with a degree in marketing.), and note any of their notable achievements or experiences (i.e., John has conducted multiple studies on the psychology of consumers and has been published in many renowned academic journals.).
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