A great introduction lifts the energy.
For you, for the audience and for the whole event
I was recently to speak at an internal kickoff for a smaller group of consultants (imagine a conference room and not a big stage). I was up after the coffee break. The manager sat down with the rest and introduced me like this:
“Yeah, so we’ve got an external speaker now. Thought it might be good for you to hear a new voice. Antoni, go ahead…”. No applauds, no explanations, nothing.
I call this a headwind introduction.
It wasn’t the first time someone gave a poor intro. I am sure you have experienced it too? But it was the first time that I made a firm decision: from now on, I’ll do everything I can to make sure the introduction is better—because it has such a positive impact on both me and the audience.
A well-prepared introduction sets the tone for the speaker’s success. It’s more than just a formality—it frames the speaker’s message, builds credibility, and engages the audience before the talk even begins. Sadly, many overlook this moment or stumble through it with generic comments. That’s a shame.
One of the most common pitfalls is a lack of preparation. The emcee (even professional ones, I am sad to say) often grabs the speaker’s bio at the last minute, reads it word-for-word, and misses the chance to connect the speaker’s message to the meeting’s purpose. The risk? The audience zones out, and the speaker gets that headwind I mentioned.
I just saw this happen. One of Sweden’s top speakers was about to be introduced by a manager who read from a script and made odd remarks like:
“Is it you who claims you’re such a great speaker or is it others who say that?”
Now this awesome speaker had to defend himself. The vibe in the room got weird. The manager failed to prime the audience to be in a good mood.
If you are a moderator, here are three tips:
- Ask the speaker how they want to be introduced.
- Give them cred so that the audience feels it is relevant
- Get people to applaud
If you’re a speaker, talk to the person introducing you beforehand. And when you do, here are three ways you can help them do it better:
- Write down a few key points about yourself, not a long biography. Add, for example, Three things about you that you want them to know to establish cred, curiousiy etc, or the three main takeaways from your talk—tailored for this audience, or one key question that you will answer.
- Ask them to share why they wanted you to come in the first place. That makes it personal. This is what I often prefer. And then I can add a few things to them.
- Write a short script and be crystal clear that they should learn it by heart.
Bonus tip: Make sure they get the audience to applaud. It sets a good tone.
A great introduction is a bridge between your message and the audience’s interests. When you guide the manager or host on how to do it right, you increase your chance of starting strong and leaving a lasting impression. And as professional speakers, that’s what we want—because that’s when real change can happen.
Thanks for reading my mind—and good luck with those intros!
Team Antoni Explains
The way a speaker is introduced can influence the entire atmosphere of an event. Before the presentation even starts, the audience is already forming expectations based on the moderator’s tone, confidence, and delivery.
A thoughtful introduction creates curiosity and engagement. A poor one creates distance.
Yet despite its importance, many introductions are still handled with little preparation.
Why introductions shape audience perception
A speaker introduction is not simply a formality.
It sets the emotional starting point for the session.
When done properly, it helps the audience understand:
- Why the speaker is relevant
- Why the topic matters
- What value they can expect to gain
Without that context, listeners often remain passive and disconnected during the opening moments.
That lack of energy affects both the speaker and the audience.
The impact of low-energy introductions
Many event hosts unintentionally weaken a presentation before it even begins.
Some speak without enthusiasm.
Others rely on long biographies filled with unnecessary details.
Some make comments that create awkwardness instead of anticipation.
These moments matter more than people realize.
When the room feels uncertain or disengaged, the speaker must spend extra time rebuilding attention and momentum.
A strong start becomes harder to achieve.
Tip 1: Prepare the introduction in advance
One of the easiest ways to improve an introduction is preparation.
Moderators should speak with the presenter before the event and understand:
- Which details are most relevant
- What the audience should expect
- Which message should be emphasized early
This creates a smoother and more natural introduction.
Prepared introductions feel intentional. Unprepared ones often feel disconnected.
Tip 2: Focus on relevance, not biography
Audiences do not need a full career history.
What they need is a reason to care.
A better introduction highlights:
- The speaker’s expertise
- Why they were invited
- How the topic connects to the audience’s needs
This creates immediate relevance and increases audience attention from the beginning.
Tip 3: Build positive energy in the room
Energy is contagious.
A moderator who sounds engaged encourages the audience to respond the same way.
Simple actions such as:
- Speaking with enthusiasm
- Smiling naturally
- Encouraging applause
can completely shift the mood of the room.
These details create a more welcoming environment for both the audience and the speaker.
Speakers should guide the process too
A strong introduction is a shared responsibility.
Speakers should not assume moderators automatically know the best way to introduce them.
Providing support beforehand makes a significant difference.
Keep information simple and useful
Instead of sending a long biography, provide:
- A few key achievements
- Main audience takeaways
- One important question the session will answer
This makes the introduction easier to deliver naturally and confidently.
Help the moderator connect emotionally
The strongest introductions feel personal.
When moderators explain why the speaker was invited or why the topic matters now, the audience becomes more emotionally invested.
That connection creates stronger attention before the session even starts.
Create clarity before the event begins
Confusion often comes from lack of communication between speakers and moderators.
A short discussion beforehand helps align:
- Expectations
- Tone
- Timing
- Key messages
This reduces uncertainty and improves the overall experience for everyone involved.
Final thought
An introduction can either create momentum or reduce it.
That is why moderators should approach it with intention rather than treating it like a small task to complete quickly.
A strong introduction builds trust, raises energy, and prepares the audience to listen.
And when that happens, the speaker has a far greater chance of creating real impact from the very first moment.
