No two events are alike, which is why emcee scripts shouldn’t be too.
It’s kinda like following a recipe. You have an overall structure to follow, but there’s plenty of opportunity to put your distinctive spin on things or quickly adapt if something goes awry.
Crafting the perfect event script can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a lot of work for the event organiser as well as the chosen conference emcee.
Our team of expert emcees is here to help! We love crafting event scripts with our clients almost as much as we love watching them succeed. Here are some tips that can make all the difference between a standing ovation and a dreaded, awkward silence.
Know Your Audience
It can be difficult, if not downright impossible, to connect with someone you don’t know. Although no audience is homogeneous, they are likely to have many things in common, like shared interests, being in the same industry, and what they want to get out of the event.
By first taking a step back and going through your attendee list, you can identify some key points about your audience and get an idea of what they’re about. Then, you can craft key messages and pique their interest, establishing a relationship and aligning the script with the event goals and brand values.
Do Your Homework
Behind every successful event that looks and feels flawless, there are countless hours of hard work put in behind the scenes. Take the time to research and understand the nature of the event, whether it’s a Dinner and Dance or another type of gathering, the industry the client is in, the brand you will be representing and its values, and each speaker and VIP.
The more information you have in your arsenal, the more relevant and personal you can make your script. An audience might listen politely to a one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter script, but when you drop a few anecdotes or details that they can truly relate to, that’s when they start paying some serious attention.
A few examples to ask would be:
- What’s the main goal of the event?
- What is the main goal of your audience? If it is a varied audience, can you relate to everyone?
- In your client’s organization, what are the last few milestones, and how do they affect the audience?
- Are there any controversial or sensitive topics to avoid?
- With each speaker or VIP, are there any funny stories or anecdotes that can be shared?
Script Each Segment
Break your script down into individual segments and have several transitions prepared for each. Be sure to include intros, outros, filler content, as well as any bridges you might need to throw in. Time each segment precisely and stick to it.
Leave Time For Interaction
Some things are out of your control, like a guest’s answer to a question or an improvised panel discussion during a webinar, public outreach, or even a family day event as examples. Err on the side of caution and be sure to leave plenty of time in these sessions. It is always simpler to fill the spare time with a juicy nugget of information or a tasteful joke than it is to cut someone off.
Use Cue Cards
Never read from cue cards if you can help it, but you can always quickly glance at them when the attention is off you. Don’t write cues in full, lengthy sentences, but make them short and easily understood (by you!).
For example, your notes on a speaker could read something like:
“John Doe – TEDx alum, golfer, launched 3 startups, 2 daughters, 5, 7.
Be sure to use a clear font and formatting big enough to read on the fly.
Plan Contingencies
If you don’t already know, events are shining examples of Murphy’s Law at work, even for the most meticulous of all clients. From tech glitches and late speakers to last-minute script changes and delays, you won’t just need a plan B, you’ll need a plan B to Z.
Be sure you have a few things up your sleeve of varying durations. Quizzes with some prizes are great time fillers in the event of a tech glitch. You can always terminate the quiz after the current question once the issue has been resolved.
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
Practice makes perfect, so once you’ve drafted your script, rehearse it thoroughly, edit and fine-tune it, then rehearse it again. You can never be over-prepared, and the last thing you want is to be seen reading off your notes. Aim to sound natural and polished, and don’t be anything less.
There you have it! Follow these tips and you’ll have the perfect event script in no time. Good luck, and we wish you great success in your event!
