London, UK
If you're about to accept the role of corporate host or MC at an event make sure you do these three things:
1. Make friends with the AV technician
2. Check that the microphones are working correctly
3. Always do a "dry run" immediately prior to the event.
London, UK
You really ought to listen to one of our best presenters Gabby Logan on BBC Radio 5 live. Bright, perceptive and punchy her show is a great listen. A little earlier this morning, Bob Weide, director of "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" was one of her guests. He had a bit more time with her than I did at Leicester Square the other evening and he spoke in more depth about H2LF&AP as well the US Election.
For those of you who have seen my presenter showreel (see left-hand margin or http://www.jeremyjacobs.com/presenter-preview/) you'll know that she appears about two-thirds of the way through. Apart from being a radio and television presenter, Gabby is also a corporate host and speaker.
London, UK
In the Guardian newspaper a couple of weeks ago was this story about Blue Peter. New presenter Joel Defries will be hosting the show as part of the presenting team celebrating the programme's 50th anniversary next month. Is it really 50 years?
London, UK
Over at my other site is my latest showreel. You can see it here
Like any other business, one should always update one's CV. In the case of a presenter, corporate host or radio broadcaster that normally means new photographs, or a voice or video showreel.
London, UK
As a corporate host or presenter, could you get back on track after what happens here to this Swedish tv presenter?
London, UK
Well sometimes you can sometimes you can't. Comedienne, Louise Scodie, said last Sunday on my radio show, that humour is subjective. I agree and rarely tell jokes during a talk, unless they are well rehearsed and appropriate. I could have said something at a meeting on Monday evening, but time was not on my side, so I quickly remembered those immortal words, "Stand Up, Speak Up and Sit Down".
More often than not, as a corporate host or corporate presenter, one shouldn't be too clever with your audience. Remember, you are just the link presenter not the star attraction. Making a cheap jibe or joke can ruin your evening and the opportunity to be asked back! Sometimes though a joke that went down well on one night falls flat on the very next occasion you say it. So what do you do? Eric Feng explains
London, UK
Footballers and other sportsmen would be in real trouble if they didn't prepare properly for a match. Some have certain exercise routines, others have little rituals designed to prepare them for the challenge ahead. If you are a corporate host, corporate presenter or public-speaker you will know the just how important it is to prepare and rehearse.
In order to engage your audience, you have to speak clearly and with some passion about your subject. My recent post over at JeremyJacobs.com highlights some of the steps you ought to take but what do you do to relax and get ready for your performance? Radio presenter and speaker Nick Thomas recommends getting proper rest if you are away from home. I agree with Nick, there's nothing worse than staying in a hotel bedroom that's noisy and uncomfortable. Research the hotel you intend to stay. Lisa Braithwaite, who blogs regularly about public-speaking, has written a few posts about preparation rituals. Here's one of them.
Hilary Briggs, one of my colleagues on the London Toastmasters circuit, won "Best Evaluator" award last week. Giving feedback, whilst under the pressure of a big competition, takes nerves of steel and plenty of practice and preparation. Read about her victory here.
London, UK
Last week, I was invited to a football-related business ethics forum. About 100 people attended. On the panel were David Dein, the former Arsenal FC director and Nigel Layton, Managing Director of Quest. In the chair was Mihir Bose, Sports Editor of the BBC.
The meeting chairman or moderator has a number of areas to cover, these include:
Preparation (venue logistics, speakers requirements, rehearsing opening speech)
Coping with audience interruptions
Handling the Q&A session
Mihir Bose, as you would expect from an experienced sports reporter and presenter, was superb. He was very even-handed with the speakers, injected the right amount of humour and organised a very slick Q&A session.
London, UK
These apply whether you're gearing up for radio broadcasting, tv reporting or if you are a corporate host:
Originally posted in December, 2006:
As you'll be likely to work for long stretches at a time, ensure that
1. You've had a good night's sleep beforehand, and
2. Eat properly.
Remember, you are a performer. Think and act like such.
