Don’t risk a bad intro
Have you ever appeared on HBO and The Late Show with David Letterman but actually didn’t? Honestly, I was flattered, but that was the last time I let someone bring me on stage without providing them with an intro cheat sheet.
I was about to headline a private party for my friend’s company, and he wanted to do my intro. I told him a couple things he could say: winner of the National Lampoon Collegiate Comedy Pop-Off, opened for Jay Leno and Bill Cosby, and performed in comedy clubs from LA to Boston. Trusting in my friend’s ability to remember all that, he did pretty well until about halfway through. His memory faded and he figured he would just add some fictional appearances on the tv programs mentioned above. The audience didn’t know any different, but I did. A couple things:
In any public speaking (keynote, small presentation, training), it sure is nice to have someone introduce you to the group if it’s their first time seeing you. The person doing the intro (host, emcee, meeting organizer) is likely someone the group knows or works with, and it relieves a lot of pressure from you having to go in and start cold.
Make sure your intro person has a hard copy of what you want said and the order in which you want it said. The title of your remarks, the purpose you’re there and why you’re qualified to be giving them that message. I carry a 3x5 card with three bullet points of intro material and the very last thing I want them to say is my name. “Please welcome Jeff Birk!”
Some people are great at remembering what you want said in your intro, but most aren’t. Don’t take a chance on a bad intro. If you do, you just might fictionally appear on HBO and Letterman like I did. 😎