Whether professional, personal, or community-based, a well-planned and executed event is a fantastic way of bringing people together. Even in today’s fast-paced digital world, nothing beats participating in person, and even virtual events help you feel more connected than simply communicating with endless lines of text.
However, let’s face it. Events can cost a pretty penny, and there’s always the risk of failure. There’s nothing more disappointing than shelling out top dollar for an event only to see your guests milling around looking bored and uninterested.
That’s where a skilled emcee can come in.
Good emcees will keep your event flowing, but great emcees will be the force that pulls your event together and makes it brilliant.
If you’re looking to choose the perfect emcee for your event, this blog post can help! We’ll look at all the things you should look out for when selecting your emcee, but first, let’s determine what you’ll need.
What Is Your Event About?
The first thing to do is sit down, alone or otherwise, and figure out what you want out of your event. Here are some common goals and suitable events that can help meet them.
Branding – Corporate events, galas, charity dinners, fundraisers
Sales-Driven – Roadshows, product launches
Networking – Conferences, corporate events
Education – Seminars, workshops, online webinars
Team-building – D&Ds, retreats, sports days
Once you’ve pinpointed what you want your event to be, then you’ll know the appropriate tone you’ll want to set. From fun and lively events to formal and elegant, the vibe might influence your choice of emcee.
What To Look For In An Emcee
Now that you have an idea of what you want your event to be and the key messages to convey, you can shortlist some emcees and narrow them down based on your specific requirements. As a general rule, here are some traits you might want to look out for.
-
Charisma and Personality
No one’s paying attention to an emcee that reads flatly from a prepared script and has the personality of a doorknob. Charisma and personality cannot be taught, and it is usually acquired through years of experience as well as raw talent.
Look out for natural charisma and a winning personality that can keep your guests enthralled. Successful emcees are wizards at being subtle and charming, and if you walk away from your meeting full of confidence, you’re likely to have yourself a winner.
Adaptability
Any event organiser is a seasoned veteran of Murphy’s Law. From technical glitches, last-minute script changes, schedule disruptions, or all kinds of other unforeseen circumstances, a good emcee knows how to roll with the punches and keep the event flowing so seamlessly that your guests might not even notice.
A great emcee takes it even further and can turn a potential negative situation into a positive one. For example, making light of a technical glitch and quickly organising a 5-minute bonding activity, or pulling together an icebreaker if a guest speaker is running late.
Audience Engagement
Events aren’t a one-way street. Interacting with your guests can be what makes the difference between a good event and a great one, and a skilled emcee will know how to do just that.
Whether gently poking fun or gracious acknowledgements, they’ll keep the crowd entertained, your guests happy and engaged, and the overall vibe positive. After all, involving each guest is an incredibly effective way of connecting with them and etching your event into their memory for many years to come.
Experience
There are exceptions to every rule, but practice makes perfect, and a master of ceremony who has ‘been there, done that’ might sound more professional and polished. A seasoned veteran knows how to handle a wide range of audiences, manage unexpected challenges with calm and confidence, and maintain smooth transitions between segments.
They’ll have a deep understanding of the event flow, timing, reading the room, and crowd dynamics, keeping the energy and enthusiasm levels high. They also tend to be quick on their feet and are excellent problem-solvers.
Reliability
To us, this is seen as a given and non-negotiable, but we’ll list it anyway. Your emcee should be someone you can count on 100%, and not just on the day.
From helping with the planning stages, showing up prepared for meetings, and finally, on event day, your emcee should be with you every step of the way.
Your event is a deeply personal choice, and your emcee should reflect on your goals and values. Good luck, and we hope you find a wonderful emcee for your event!
P/S: If you don’t, give us a shout. We might not be perfect, but maybe we’ll be perfect for you!
