How Can I Write An Introductory Speech?

An audience will know when you're making general comments about a person, event, or product. People don't attend functions if all they'll hear is the same information they can learn from newspapers or the Internet.

Have something in your introductory speech which offers your audience something they might never find out otherwise. For example, you may wish to inform your audience that the speaker you're about to introduce speaks seven languages fluently and has an identical twin brother who lives on another continent. It would show your audience that you've taken time to do some research before standing in front of them.

If you're giving an introductory speech for a Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) seminar, you aren't going to begin your speech by telling your audience that it's all right to drink and drive as long as they only have one beer. This will turn your audience off from the onset; as opposed to engaging the audience for good, you will have them feeling disappointed with you.

Furthermore, they will begin to question the motives of the guest speaker and would become uncomfortable or, possibly, upset. It would make everyone look, and feel, bad.

To prevent any of this from taking place, start by relating a story or event that your audience can relate to. Even if your speech brings tears to peoples' eyes, you'll have gained the attention of your audience.

Though it's great to entertain and allow people the opportunity to relax and share a few laughs, there is a time and place for everything.

Keep in mind that all functions are set up with a primary purpose in mind; hearing the voice of the opening speaker for 15 - 30 minutes is, definitely, not it.

An opening speech should take between 3-5 minutes, just long enough to introduce the main speaker and set the tone for the presentation to follow.

You may need to revise your speech a number of times before you feel it's good enough but, even then, always seek the opinion of some friends by reading it to them as though they were the intended audience.

If they feel you have a winning introductory speech, it's up to you to practice your speech so that when you stand before your audience, you'll sound like a professional and deliver a masterpiece.

If you're too shy to read your speech to your friends, you'll have to wonder about whether or not you should take the chance of delivering it in public.