Want To Be An Effective MC?

Fun fact:

If you are the MC for an event you are not the Master of Ceremony. You are the Master of Ceremonies. This, I would assume is because within an event there would be multiple smaller events (or ceremonies, if you will) and the MC is in charge for all the Ceremonies in that event. MC is a very responsible person. Every time something goes wrong the MC is responsible. MCing is super fun too because with great ‘responsibility comes great power’ (I know I flipped the saying around but it does make a lot of sense, right?)

So here are my top 3 things that an MC should ensure to make an event a success:

1 .Preparation

The act on stage on the day of the event is just like the painting you see in an exhibition. There is much that happens at the atelier before the exhibition that made the painting worth a view. Preparation of the agenda, preparation of the venue and preparation of your own script are just some of them. (Pro tip: the preparation is never complete until you are fully prepared for everything that could possibly go wrong.)

2. Timeliness

Nothing defines the success of an event more than its start and end on time. It is the prerogative of the MC to ensure this happens by coordinating the flow of events and the time that other speakers take and being flexible enough to manage over-runs.

3.Introductions

Usually it is the MC who introduces the other speakers and dignitaries. Make sure the introductions are genuine, sincere, uplifting, sarcasm-free (however much you may be tempted to) and creative. The time you spend on preparing interesting introductions will pay off huge dividends as it builds the credibility, respect and anticipation from the audience’s side and fills the speaker with energy, enthusiasm and confidence.

(Pro tip: always give the introductory remarks in the most creative manner possible and lead up to a crescendo that culminates into the pronouncement of the Speaker’s name, which should prompt that audience to start applauding…giving time for the Speaker to walk up to the spotlight/lectern/stage as the case may be.

Eg…’(after all the introductory comments…) Ladies and Gentlemen put your hands together to welcome the President of the United States, Mr. George W Bush!

I had the privilege of being MC for friend’s weddings and for random events in the past. The recent one being the MC of at an amazing well-organized Event (sparing you the details). Every single aspect worked according to clock work precision. Planning worked. Team worked. Improvisations worked.