Isn’t it mesmerizing to see emcees run events with the audience hanging on their every word, ready to instantly respond and engage? It might seem effortless, but this kind of magic doesn’t happen overnight.
Sure, it takes some talent, but beyond that, it takes years of experience, hard work, and loads of preparation.
A decent emcee will keep your event flowing and your guests happy, but a great one is the singular force that will drive it towards meteoric heights. More than just a voice on stage, the emcee is the thread that holds the entire event together.
Whether the event is a gala dinner, product launch, conference, seminar, or awards night, there are a few qualities that every great emcee must have, and here they are!
Charisma and Personality
Let’s face it. No one’s paying much attention to an emcee with the energy of a screensaver. Being an effective emcee depends greatly on your stage presence. Some have a natural talent and ooze charisma and personality, while others need to work a little harder to cultivate it.
Great corporate events emcees are naturally extroverted, charming people who sincerely want to connect with the audience and help everyone have a good time. You can’t fake these things, and an emcee that feels uncomfortable on stage and in the limelight isn’t likely to be successful.
Emotional Intelligence
Emcees should be highly sensitive to the feelings of the audience, whether as a whole or individually. For example, emcees need to sense the room’s energy and adapt their approach accordingly.
If a full-day conference or a public outreach event is getting the audience bored and tired, an adept emcee will quickly introduce something fresh and new to shake things up, like an interactive poll. Or if some panel speakers show signs that they are about to start on a heated discussion, a skilled emcee can quickly redirect the conversation into a more neutral topic and head off the impending disaster.
Likewise, if an attendee feels awkward or is uncomfortable being singled out, an emcee can smoothly gloss the moment over and turn the crowd’s attention elsewhere.
Articulation and Voice
An emcee reading from a prepared script in a flat, monotone voice isn’t likely to command much attention. Think about the difference between a good radio DJ and a great one. An authoritative, balanced voice can be hypnotic, drawing attention and helping to maintain the audience’s attention and curiosity, especially when you’re choosing an emcee for a special event to elevate your occasion.
In addition, crystal-clear articulation is non-negotiable. If an audience can’t hear or understand the emcee, you’ll lose their attention, FAST. If you like listening to your emcee during meetings and on the phone, chances are, your audience will too.
Adaptability
“Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” – Murphy’s Law
Just like many other situations, this law is immutable in the event’s world. Regardless of how meticulous you are in planning contingencies, hiccups are inevitable. From small issues that constantly pop up to large issues that could jeopardize your entire event, your emcee will be your greatest ally.
Inexperienced emcees often get caught by little surprises like tech glitches or unexpected interruptions. Like a deer in the headlights, they might freeze, leading to a lengthy, awkward pause or confusion and causing the audience to lose trust.
A skilled emcee knows how to roll with the punches and can recover instantly from any surprise, so smoothly that the audience might not even notice. A great emcee will take things one step further and turn a negative situation into a positive one, like introducing a new, fun activity if a speaker is late, or conducting an ice-breaking session if there’s a tech glitch.
Preparation and Organizational Skills
Regardless of the type of event, a million things are happening at the same time. Not only do the organizers have to stay on track, but the emcee has to be remarkably organized and maintain the event’s structure with razor-sharp accuracy.
A segment that runs 5 minutes late might not seem like a big deal, but multiply that by 10 segments throughout the day, and you’ve got an event that’s running almost an hour late. Remembering the name of the guest-of-honour might be simple, but the names of 10 different speakers taking the stage throughout the day are a whole different ball game.
A great emcee should work diligently at preparing for the event and making sure the event flows perfectly. Hesitating and consulting notes while announcing the next speaker is a strict no-no.
There you go, all the qualities you’d want to look for in your next emcee. Good luck planning your event or wedding, and we hope that it is a resounding success.
P/S: Give us a shout if you could use some help!
