How to Give A Great Speaker Introduction

Summary

In this video, Devon Brown, a professional event MC, shares his '1+3 formula' for introducing speakers effectively. He emphasizes that most speaker introductions focus too much on the speaker's accolades, which doesn’t engage the audience. Instead, the introduction should center on what the audience will gain from the speech. The formula includes one big idea the audience will benefit from, supported by three points from the speaker's bio that establish their credibility. Devon demonstrates this approach through examples, making speaker introductions more dynamic and audience-focused.

Takeaways

• 🎯 The 1+3 formula is a method for introducing speakers by focusing on one big thing the audience will gain and three points from the speaker's bio that give credibility.
• 🚫 Most speaker introductions are ineffective because they focus too much on the speaker's accolades instead of the audience's interest.
• 🗣️ Introductions should be audience-focused, highlighting what's in it for them and not just listing speaker achievements.
• 💼 Devon Brown emphasizes that 95% of MCs use a traditional, ineffective method of reading long, irrelevant bios.
• 📚 The formula was created by Devon at a dental conference to simplify long, jargon-filled bios into concise, engaging introductions.
• 💡 The 'one big thing' is the main takeaway or benefit the audience will get from listening to the speaker.
• 📄 The three bio points should establish the speaker's credibility without overwhelming the audience with too much information.
• 👥 Speaker introductions should spark excitement and curiosity about the topic being presented to the audience.
• ✅ The formula can be applied to any event and helps the audience feel more connected to the speaker's message.
• 🎤 This introduction strategy works by framing the speaker as an expert while keeping the focus on the value for the audience.

Q & A

What is the main formula introduced in the video for speaker introductions?

The main formula introduced in the video is the '1+3 formula,' where the '1' represents the one big idea the audience will gain from the speaker, and the '3' refers to three points from the speaker's bio that give them credibility to speak about that big idea.

Why does Devon Brown criticize the typical way people introduce speakers?

Devon criticizes the typical way of introducing speakers because it often focuses on the speaker's accolades and achievements, which he believes doesn't engage the audience. Instead, introductions should focus on what's in it for the audience, making them excited about the speaker's presentation.

How does the '1+3 formula' differ from traditional speaker introductions?

The '1+3 formula' differs from traditional introductions by focusing on what the audience will gain from the speaker (the '1') and providing three specific points from the speaker's bio that support their expertise in the topic, rather than listing irrelevant or lengthy accolades.

What inspired Devon to create the '1+3 formula'?

Devon created the '1+3 formula' when he was asked to introduce speakers at a dental conference. The provided bios were lengthy, filled with industry jargon, and focused on the speaker's accomplishments rather than what was in it for the audience. This experience led him to rethink how introductions should be made.

What is the main purpose of a speaker introduction, according to Devon?

According to Devon, the main purpose of a speaker introduction is to get the audience excited about what the speaker will say by focusing on what they will gain from the presentation, rather than just listing the speaker's achievements.

Can you provide an example of how Devon applies the '1+3 formula' in practice?

Devon gives the example of a dentist named Mary, whose introduction focuses on how she will share a procedure that doubled her practice's revenue. The three bio points include that she was the first dentist in California to perform the procedure, has been practicing for 27 years, and wrote a book on the topic.

What are the benefits of using the '1+3 formula' for event hosts and MCs?

The benefits of using the '1+3 formula' are that it makes speaker introductions more engaging for the audience, highlights the speaker’s relevance to the topic, and makes the introduction less about boosting the speaker’s ego and more about offering value to the audience.

What does Devon recommend asking the speaker before introducing them?

Devon recommends asking the speaker what they will be speaking about and why it matters to the audience. He also asks the speaker for three points from their bio that highlight their expertise in the topic, which can be used to create an engaging introduction.

How does Devon suggest reframing a speaker’s credentials to focus on the audience?

Devon suggests reframing a speaker’s credentials by connecting their achievements directly to the audience's interests. For example, instead of just listing credentials, he explains how the speaker’s experience can help the audience achieve specific results, such as increasing revenue or growing their social media following.

Why does Devon emphasize focusing on 'what's in it for the audience' in speaker introductions?

Devon emphasizes focusing on 'what's in it for the audience' because it captures their attention and makes them excited to hear from the speaker. He argues that the audience is more interested in how the speaker’s content will benefit them, rather than hearing a list of accomplishments.