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How to Craft a Killer-Good Verbal Introduction for Your Speech
6 Secrets for Success in Writing Your Intro
Yippee! You got booked for the speech or invited to give a talk to your peers, how are you going to get introduced?
If you just have someone read your bio, you’ve set yourself up for failure. Why? Because it’s the wrong message for that medium. In other words, a bio is for your eyes whereas an intro is for your ears. A #biography is for your eyes; a #VerbalIntro is for your ears. Click To Tweet
Instead, take the time to customize a verbal introduction that works for your topic…and your audience.
Here Are 6 Secrets for Success in Writing Your Intro
Write in short sentences – A good introduction is short with strong, punchy sentences. It cannot run longer than 60 seconds when read aloud. Test your final draft before delivering it.
Eliminate long, compound sentences – These types of sentences don’t work well when read aloud. Aim for simple sentences.
Reflect your Brand DNA – The verbal introduction sets the tone of the speaker. If you are witty, your introduction should be witty. Tom Bodett’s introduction on the PBS radio show Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me says this: “He writes whenever he feels like he has something to say, which is almost never.” On the other hand, if you are a scholar, your intro should demonstrate that scientific fact.
Tune into Radio WIIFM – What’s In It For Me (WIIFM) is a key radio station for your audience. Make sure your intro answers why they should put down their mobile device and listen to you.
Avoid complicated words – There are some words that are tough to say; try ennui, for example. Did you get it right? Do you see how it is one of those words that is better in writing that said aloud? If in doubt, leave it out! In a #VerbalIntro, teach them how pronounce your name. Click To Tweet
Teach Them How to Pronounce your name – Add to your intro an easy way to pronounce your name. For example, Esther’s introduction reads as follows: Esther (WINE-Berg) Weinberg. Or, as I’ve found out the hard way, my last name often falls victim to accident dyslexia. So, I always add in the introduction this phrase: a speaker who is as GOOD as GOLD, Liz Goodgold.
What do you do? Please share.
To your sizzling success,
Liz
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