You know you need a professional auctioneer for the live auction portion of your event, and that same professional typically handles your Paddle Raise, Fund A Need, or Donation Appeal part of the fundraising, too. But have you been paying extra for an emcee? Or using someone who speaks well with a teleprompter and not so great without one?

Recently I’ve been asked to emcee more and more events. These clients like that I’m already practiced at being their ambassador because I’ve been preparing to guide the crowd in giving. Since I know the group and its programs inside and out, I often hear -like I did last weekend- “Do you work for the organization? I thought you did, because you know so much about it.”

Being an emcee is more than just reading a script, it’s crowd control, getting the audience’s attention, knowing how and when to change your voice to influence the mood in the room, knowing how to do compelling introductions, and always keeping an eye on the timing, music, lights and other cues that all work together in your evening.

So as you’re planning your event, remember, I can help if your event needs an emcee.