65 tips that can make anyone an expert MC

1. Be courteous and professional at all times.
2. Develop an interest in a wide range of subjects.
3. Be abreast with current affairs so you have relevant things to talk about.
4. Study human relations.
5. Study other MCs.
6. Study presenters, politicians, pastors and comedians.
7. Study marketing.
8. Study negotiation techniques.
9. Use stiff, high quality paper for your business cards.
10. Always have a stock of business cards.
11. Volunteer to MC events for your family, friends and charity even if you are a corporate MC.
12. Post information about your event on social media.
13. Start a blog and update it at least once a week.
14. Avoid accepting to host 2 events around the same time with the view to finishing one early to attend the other.

BEFORE THE EVENT

15. Schedule a meeting when you are contacted to host an event.
16. Ask lots of questions at the pre-event meeting.
17. Agree with the organizer on who your unique contact person shall be for the event.
18. Confirm all points after the pre-event meeting is over with an email.
19. Get a copy of the draft program as soon as possible.
20. Research the speakers.
21. Visit the venue before the day of the event.
22. Set out your outfit and your notes the day before the event.

ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT

23. Get up early and visualize your event as being successful.
24. Dress formally.
25. Avoid dairy products and hot beverages on the day of the event.
26. Set out early and plan to arrive at the venue at least one hour ahead of the start time.
27. Introduce yourself to the venue manager, IT support, DJ, caterer, ushers and other partners.
28. Refer to your partners by their names and not ‘Madam Usher’ or ‘Mr DJ’.
29. Confirm if there are any changes to the program and speakers.

DURING THE EVENT

30. See yourself as the person in charge of the event.
31. Introduce yourself to the guests as they enter the venue.
32. Start on the event on time.
33. Nervous? Breathe in and out deeply and slowly.
34. Walk on the stage, look at the audience for 30 seconds and smile without saying a word.
35. Stand erect and look into your audience’s eyes when you’re speaking.
36. Speak directly into the microphone.
37. Use a quote, proverb or thought-provoking question as your first words.
38. Tell the audience you’re going to have a good time together.

39. Tell your audience the purpose of the event.
40. Tell the audience where the exits, washrooms and parking areas are located.
41. Make sure the speakers are present before you call them onto the stage.
42. Practice pronouncing unfamiliar names.
43. There’s no need to panic if you fluff your lines once in a while.
44. Make your Speaker Introductions brief.
45. Look at the person you’re introducing and smile just before you say their name.
46. Stay by the podium until the speaker is about to talk.
47. Have a glass of room temperature water near the speaker.
48. Listen attentively to the speaker.
49. Lead the applause when the speaker makes an important point or ends the speech.
50. Thank speakers for specific things they say or do.
51. Be the solid bridge between two speakers by thanking the previous speaker and building anticipation for the next one.
52. Resist the pressure to tell jokes.
53. If you must crack a joke, laugh at yourself.
54. Avoid talking down to your audience.
55. In a large venue, speak slower than usual and pause longer between sentences to allow the sound of your voice to reach those at the back.
56. Know when to stop talking.
57. Promote upcoming items on the program without revealing full details.
58. Think a few steps ahead of the program so you can maintain the flow of the event.
59. Deal with unexpected changes to the program in a calm manner.
60. Make your audience happy to have spent their time at the event.
61. Wrap up by mentioning your name.

AFTER THE EVENT

62. Interact with guests at the end of the event.
63. Thank the organizer and ask for new business or the names of 2 people who could use your services.
64. Call the organizer the following day, the following week and the following month.
65. Maintain regular contact with your clients through texts, email, phone calls or personal visits.

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