Getting introduced to speak.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Karen Putz on October 4, 2012 at 4:35am

Hi Pierce,

I never really thought of that before-- my hosts have always done their own introductions based on what they know of me. Now you've got me thinking and I look forward to seeing what others come up with.

You're grabbing that day in full, aren't you? Congrats to your son!

Permalink Reply by Pierce Marrs on October 4, 2012 at 6:45am

Thanks Karen! I received his permission and blessing to speak on his wedding day. He helped me write the proposal! HAHA!

Permalink Reply by Kent Julian on October 4, 2012 at 5:30am

Congrats on the speaking engagement! Since you are a Speak It Forward Boot Camp grad, I'm sure you used strategies you learned at the Boot Camp to line up the engagement and will be using strategies from the Boot Camp during the presentation as well. Am I assuming correctly?

Also, congrats on Nick's wedding.

As for your question, I have found that the very best introduction is one that is read. That way, what is said about you is exactly what you want said about you before you hit the stage. What's more, it's one less thing an event planner has to worry about if you can hand them your introduction.

The one I wrote shares (1) my credentials, (2) my heart, and (3) ends with a laugh line. Here it is...and by the way, you cannot steal my laugh line :)

 

---

 

Kent Julian is founder and president of Live It Forward LLC, a personal and professional development company that equips people to “make the move” to the life and work they love.

Kent also speaks to thousands of students and educators all across America each year. Whether he is speaking about leadership, goal setting, or achievement and success, he dares his audience to embrace the reality that "Normal Is Overrated" and that if they want to succeed in life and leadership, they have to "Do The Opposite” from the norm.

Kent is also the author of the newly released book for teenagers entitled Who Wants To Be Normal, Anyway?!— which will be available for purchase at the end of today’s presentation.

Now, Kent calls the stuff I just mentioned the “blah-blah” stuff…in other words, the promo stuff that sort of has to be said in an introduction.

What Kent really wants you to know most about him is that he is crazy-in-love with his wife, Kathy, and their three incredible children. He loves coaching the Stingrays, a swim team with over 160 swimmers. And just in case you want to treat him to a meal or beverage, he really enjoys eating sushi and sipping dark roasted coffee.

Oh yeah, one last thing...he's very comfortable with his baldhead because, as he likes to say, "God only uncovers that which is perfect."

Please welcome with me...Kent Julian!

 

Permalink Reply by Karen Putz on October 4, 2012 at 5:44am

Wow, this is great, Kent! No worries about stealing that last line-- I like my tresses very much. LOL

Permalink Reply by Pierce Marrs on October 4, 2012 at 6:52am

Kent, thank you for the feedback and quick response. I did use the abundance of knowledge I received at the Boot Camp. This gig started with my blog two years ago when a lady managing a team of 125 sales ladies started forwarding my Sales Blog to all her team every week. Then I was invited to speak to the Business Women of Spring Hill at a local luncheon. From that, I have been coaching and was invited to speak to 55 people at a local function.

This weekend I am getting paid a small amount to speak to the 200. If the event planner likes me, I will get a shot at a 2500 crowd in January and then to the National Convention of 10,000. Walking down this road brother.

I love your advise here and unlike Randell...I could steal the laugh line...but I won't.

Thanks again.

Pierce

Permalink Reply by Camden Ross on October 13, 2012 at 7:16am

Thanks for sharing this Kent!

I definitely will model something similar for me when I speak, though like Karen and Randell, I probably should refrain from stealing your last line --- even though I know of other people who it could work for. :)

~Cam

Permalink Reply by Randell Mark Olson on October 4, 2012 at 5:53am

Pierce,

Congratulations on Nick's wedding and on the speaking gig...Sounds like a very full and exciting day!

Kent, Thanks for sharing your introduction with all of us...One thing is for Sure, I definitely can't use your laugh line!

Here's an intro I've had people use...after reading Kent's, I think I want to make it a little more personal.

Introduction For “Randell Mark” Olson

 

Randell Mark is a life long entrepreneur who has owned several businesses, he’s done some things well, but he’s also done some things wrong, that have led to some painful but valuable lessons.

 

Randell knows what it’s like as a business owner to lay awake at night wondering how to meet payroll, what advertising media will payoff, and questioning whether he should even be in business at all.

Randell says he has a heart for “The Frustrated, Worn-out, and Confused Entrepreneur” who is waiting for the world to stop spinning long enough to figure out what to do next.

 

After working through a process to align his “Skills and Abilities” with his own “Personality Traits”, he’s been able to express his “Values, Dreams, and Passions” through his work, which led him to start his company “The Intentional Legacy Group” where he spends much of his time sharing his passion inspiring others to recognize the Greatness that lies within their own lives.

 

Randell is married to his junior high sweetheart Karen, together they Love their 4 kids, and 2 grandsons…(still waiting on a couple of granddaughters)

 

Oh, one last thing…Randell says most people call him Randy, but because his mamma named him Randell, he thought he’d better use that for introduction purposes.

 

Please welcome Randell Mark Olson

 

Permalink Reply by Pierce Marrs on October 4, 2012 at 6:53am

Thanks Randell. This helps a lot. I was doing something close to this but wanted to make sure I was on track.

Permalink Reply by Maureen Zappala on October 5, 2012 at 12:50pm

I ALWAYS provide a written intro and do everything short of BEGGING to ask them to stick to it as closely as possible. Mine is similar to Kent's. It has some credentials, some humor and a hint of the promise of what they'll get from my talk. I've too often left it to the emcee to wing it, and it's been so uncomfortable, even if the person knows me well. Sometimes, after I take the microphone, I'll often say "Wow...she read that exactly like I wrote it!" It always gets a laugh.

Reading just a list of accomplishments is really boring for everyone. Jazz it up, personalize it to the audience. One of my friends has in his intro "and his childhood dream was to one day grow up and speak for (insert organization name here.)" That always gets a chuckle too.

Permalink Reply by Dorethia on October 7, 2012 at 1:46pm

Congrats to you on the speaking engagement - you'll definitely have to tell us how it all goes!

Kent, love your intro! After sitting through too many speakers who read the entire bio from my media kit, I learned to provide a short bio for the host to read. I generally ask what they'll use the bio for besides my intro to determine if I need to send the long one as well. 

Mine doesn't include any humor though... I might try my hand at that...eh .. or maybe not lol. I also suggest that you give pointers on how to SAY your name if it is tricky....

- Dorethia

www.connercoaching.com

www.themoneychat.com

Permalink Reply by Lynne Watts on October 29, 2012 at 7:05pm

Thanks to everyone for sharing these ideas.  I was just asked to write an intro and wish I'd read all these ideas first.  What a talented group!!