The Importance of a Good Introduction
A speakers introduction can make or break a speech, especially a humorous speech. If the person delivering the introduction doesn’t deliver your intro well (as unfair as this may seem) the audience will react to your speech negatively. That is why it is important to get a copy of your introduction to the Master of Ceremonies, or chair-person, or whomever will be responsible for introducing you in advance. Ask them to rehearse it several times before they give it. Make sure they understand exactly how you want them to present it. This is a script and it should be followed. Quite often the content of your speech will refer back to the introduction and if they don’t follow the script it may leave you referring to something that was left out. I once had someone introduce me by starting out saying, “This is what George wrote about himself..” that wasn’t in the script and now it sounded like I was boasting. I had to use some self-deprecating humor to win the audience back. Another example, the MC made a comment about something in the introduction and again this underminds the credibility of the speaker. If this happens try to laugh it off and use self-deprecating humor to get the audience back where you want them. Never point out a bad introduction. You do not want to embarrass them as that might create a negative reaction from the audience.