You hear your name called out and you make your way to the stage. The audience greets you with applause. The lights shine brightly on your face. The microphone quivers in your sweaty palms. The crowd goes quiet, brimming with expectation, silently hounding you to begin the program. Legs shaking, heart racing, mind almost blank, you freeze and find yourself wondering, “What was I supposed to say again?”
It can be an absolutely terrifying experience to host in front of a large crowd. Few situations combine the nerve-wracking paranoia of being judged, the worry of making mistakes and letting people down, and the overwhelming fear of huge groups of people. Most people believe that hosting is innate in some people. In reality, while it may not be immediately for everyone, like any other skill, it can be learned and mastered.
The biggest hurdle to overcome when hosting is a lack of confidence. Without confidence, hosting can be downright crippling and impossible to accomplish. This can be remedied with proper and sufficient practice and preparation. The old saying that goes “if you fail to prepare, then you prepare to fail” cannot be understated in this situation. To train for hosting duties, one can undergo speech exercises and public speaking workshops. These activities pave the foundation towards creating a good master of ceremonies. During the event itself, an effective host must know his or her audience and cater to them in the corresponding manner. He or she must also take the event’s program flow to heart and be adaptable to any sudden changes and additions.
It is also important to note that during an event, the host, usually a single individual, can and should be more powerful than an entire audience of people. The host dictates the energy of the entire event and can sway the entire audience to follow his or her vibe. Knowing and focusing on this fact can build confidence and empower one to host successfully.
With proper execution, hosting can be extremely fulfilling. There is nothing like the feeling of building rapport and being one with the audience’s energy, and evoking different emotions in people through one’s presence, words, tone. A combination of energy, grace, preparation, and adaptability can make most anyone become an effective host.
Level up and master your hosting craft. Call TalkShop today (632) 894 5588 to schedule your evaluation.
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