I have been a professionally, paid  emcee for the last ten years. As a speaker and storyteller, I do believe being a good emcee is a perfect fit for our craft. As a performer I desire an emcee to introduce me well acording to my wishes. My wishes are really straight forward Other performers might not care how they are introduced but most professionals do.

Every speaker and storyteller must have a prepared one-sheet introduction ready to give to an emcee with these instructions. "Please read my introduction just as it is written. I have worked hard at preparing my introduction to fit this event., thank you." An emcees job is hard enough without having to guess how you are to be introduced.

My personal introduction is well thought out and prepared in order to prepare the audience for my program.

Since January of 2009 at the last 12 events I was performing at, only one emcee followed my instructions! Why? Because they wanted everyone to notice them, not the performers.  I know this because I asked them afterwards "Why did you modify my introduction?"

Here are some of the answers: "I always like to jazz up an introduction." Everyone expects me to introduce folks with a song." my all time favorite: "I don't read well, so I tell some jokes to warm up your intro." (He also said my name wrong!)

I have been introduced in song, by a puppet, by someone with an accent so thick, they were hard to understand and by an animal. Yes an animal! the emcee had a conversation with his goat as part of my introduction! 

Here are some helpful tips (from a speakers and storytellers point of view) for those of you who emcee or want to emcee. 

“First, Do No Harm”. Most important, make sure that your facts are correct and that you know how to pronounce the speaker or storytellers name. Ask them ahead of time and confirm that pronunciation. If you do nothing else to prepare, make sure that you can pronounce their name!

Smooth introductions that are succinct work in everyone’s favor. Many professional speakers and storytellers will bring you and/or send you a written introduction. Take time to read it over and check with the person on the pronunciation of any of the words that are unfamiliar to you -- making notes on the pronunciation. If the person you will be introducing hasn’t handed you an introduction, conduct a mini-interview and write down what you plan to say. Just “winging it” or going on and on about how long you’ve known old Joe and what a good guy he is, is just plain wrong.

The word “succinct” is important. At a recent storytelling event I attended, I saw the energy in the room take a huge dive when the emcee of the group sponsoring the event droned on and on about the group, about the speaker, and other information that was uninteresting to everyone. When this storyteller got up on the platform, people in the audience were practically dozing. (I am so glad I went on last!)

Being asked to be the emcee is an honor. Yours is probably the most important function of the program -- keeping every part moving smoothly. Take it seriously, prepare well, and be proud of the part you’ve played, and you will be asked again and again. A good emcee is hard to find, so be one! Also be invisiable, It's not about you!

Mike Miller is a "Full contact" Speaker, Trainer, Storyteller and Professional Silly Person based in Charleston, SC He can be reached at www.greatstoryteller.com

Nearly every speaker and storyteller has experienced the frustration of speaking to these audience members: the clock-watcher, the doodler, the hair-twister, the squimer, the talker, the bored acting, the heckler, ect. But these characters are reminders that sometimes we all forget the most important ingredients in our  program - personal contact and meaningful interaction. 

Grabbing an audience's attention is critical to increase listeners' retention and decreasing your frustration. I've often seen speakers and storytellers complete a program without ever making their audience members a part of their lives. They offered no warmth, no one-on-one interaction and no full-contact relationships .All they did was talk! There is more to it. You are the entertainer! To avoid that mistake, you can use these four ideas to keep even the hardest audience on their toes while you tell. 

Say Their Names 
In small groups, speakers and storytellers have the power to use the most beautiful word ever heard by an audience member - his or her name. Before you start your program go around the room if possible introducing yourself to people. Don't be afraid to write down a name and repeating it after each person speaks. Now when you work the room, you can add peoples names to your program! Not only will you be able to associate a face and name but the audience members will likely loosen up because they are no longer strangers. A big plus is that they will wonder if you will use their name next! If you don't know how to add someone's name to your program, you might want to work on it! It's not hard! For big groups possibly using a name or two of someone well know locally always works. Note: Don't make fun of people! If you make fun of anyone, let it be you.

Ask For Background 
Find out as much as you can about the group you're telling to if possible. If it's a school, maybe a little history, if it is in a certain town, that is even easier, get the information! Never go into a program without any sense of who you're telling to. Even their age makes a difference. 

Get the Audience to Participate
As you delve into your program, don't let much time pass before you involve the audience. You can even start right away by singing a song or by using a "repeat after me" opener. This starts the ball rolling. The audience will do what you want them to if you are willing to lead them along! Remember: It is your program, let them be a part of it on your terms. When you do this all of the weird stuff and noise that can happen at a program is under your control.

The Purpose of Your Program
Why are you there? Is there a theme? Holiday's, birthday, corporate program, ghost stories, folk tales, Cajun festival? The event you're telling at is important! I saw a storyteller at a Halloween program tell a baseball story that wasn't even scary! It just happened to be their favorite story! You can imagine how the audience responded. Stick with the theme! It's not that hard. If you don't have any stories to tell within certain themes, learn some! When you discover that the purpose of the program is a foundation to your stories, you will be successful!

Discovering the secrets to full contact speaking and storytelling isn't hard. You must act as a professional if you want to get up in front of people and say, "Listen to me!". There are too many speakers and storytellers in the world that only tell stories, they don't get the crowd involved. That is sad. I do believe that is why some audiences don't want to hear "a Storyteller", they had a bad experience before.
Go out and make the next audience you tell in front of "your" special audience. Get involved.
Let them know you were there. They will have the time of their live's!

This an interview that was done with me and i thought it would give you some good information about me, but also provide you with some good tips! enjoy!

BACKGROUND

What would you say are the traits of a "good" storyteller?
Storytellers should be fun to be around, speak well, be well read, and enjoy people.

How has your background helped you to be a successful storyteller?
As a former manager in business, a former minister of a church, and a Scout leader I found that every time I communicated with people of all ages and backgrounds I had to insure that they understood what I said. Using a story format seemed to work the best, plus it was fun!

How would you define the role of a storyteller in our culture?
Storytellers need to take on the role of "Professional Explainer". Storytellers can explain the past, the present, a child's joy, a happy moment, to sell a product or just about any action or feeling. Best of all the storyteller can put the explanation into words that can be understood. Storytellers don't just tell stories, they paint pictures.

What are the responsibilities of a storyteller?
Storytellers should be the voice of the community, business and the written word. They should encourage folks to read and enjoy the power of a story, speak out about events and history, plus at times just be entertaining!

Describe your most memorable experience as a storyteller.
I was asked to be the opening entertainment for the South Carolina 2002 Winter Special Olympics. I wrote a special story about an athlete who overcame all kinds of obstacles to win the prize. I had a number of the athletes help me with the story by acting out each of the characters. After the story was over one young lady with Downs Syndrome came up to me and said," Mr. Mike, I know you were talking about me in your story and I'll do my very best to win the prize!" She smiled real big and ran back over to her parents. I realized at that moment the power of the story was changing a persons life and that young ladies comment had touched me like no other person had.

What person(s) has had the greatest effect on your storytelling?
My grandfather, Claremont Wyatt. He always was telling stories about how things worked, or why things were they way they were. My favorite stories were when he would tell me about my family tree. I've tried to emulate him in my storytelling programs.

ART OF STORYTELLING
Do you have ways of connecting with your audience?
I try to meet and talk to members of the audience if at all possible so when I do get in front of them I'm not a stranger. If that isn't possible I try to have a bit of information about the audience, the town or group, etc. and try to incorporate it into my story programs.

How do you determine what will "work with" an audience?
I try to size up the location (outside, cold, hot, noisy) and the age (or ages) of the group, the time of day and if I follow another storyteller or speaker. All of these together help me decide what will work or what should be done to hold their interest.

How important is moving your audience emotionally?
If your audience isn't emotionally with you, they won't want to listen to you! But most importantly what emotion you're trying to obtain and when is important too. For example, I was at a festival where the teller preceding me was telling a very sad tale! The environment wasn't right and the audience refused to get involved with the story. They wanted upbeat happy stuff!

How has your past (relationship with parents, experiences in childhood, a crisis) influenced you as a storyteller?
My past has provided fodder for many of my stories, especially my childhood and my service in the Navy. Each of the experiences I've had in the past, if appropriate, I try and use in my stories to empower the tale. Folks can tell if you're just telling or telling from experience.

What's the funniest thing that ever happened to you as a storyteller?
I was running late to a festival gig because of heavy traffic and I parked my car about a half mile from the festival and started running. About halfway there one of my puppets fell out of my bag into the road. When I turned around to go back and get it a truck ran it over! Smashed it flat! I picked it up and kept running until I got to the stage area just in time to go on. As I approached the mic a thunderstorm hit and the sky emptied on the audience and me! The microphone shocked my mouth and the whole system went down! It wasn't one of my best performances!

What connection (if any) do you see theater and storytelling?
Storytellers use words more than actions to get the story across and the theater uses action and words to tell a story. There is a connection in certain areas but as a rule as storyteller is different than a story actor.

What type of stories do you like to tell? Why?
I like folk tales, audience participation tales, and stories that are real whoppers! They seem to connect well with all audiences and age groups plus I feel they fit my style better!

Some audiences are more challenging than others. Have you had an interesting experience with a "challenging audience" please share what you learned with us.
I was telling stories to a crowd (adults and kids) at a Cajun festival and I was telling the tale of the Crazy Crawdad, where I use a crawdad puppet. Part way through the story two of the adults got into a fight in front of the stage! they were punching each other and a couple of other adults got into it also. I wasn't sure what to do so I yelled out over the microphone, "Your making my puppet mad!" They stopped fighting and started laughing! I finished my story and made a vow not to tell stories to any group I think might have been drinking!

Do you have any 'secrets" for keeping your audience's attention?
I keep my "Full Contact" Storytelling programs moving fast with little dead space. A lot of audience participation and most of my stories are in the three to six minute time range. In between certain stories I do some silly songs that folks can sing along too. During a 45 minute set I'll do about ten stories and three songs. I found the fast pace and the variety holds the audiences attention because it is unexpected.

As a storyteller how do you know when you have been successful in your storytelling presentation such as music, art, or dance?
When the crowd gets involved (physically and verbally) with the stories or when you hear them singing the songs after your performance. 

What have you done that you are most proud of?
Doing my Christmas story program for kids with terminal cancer who wouldn't see another holiday.

Do you include any other art forms in your storytelling presentation such as music, art, or dance?
I use a lot of silly songs and sometimes some silly dancing.

BUSINESS OF TELLING
Do you have any books, tapes, or workshops available?
I have two CD's, "Tales of True Fiction" and "Billy Loves MoonPies and Other Silly Tales"
A workshop for teachers, trainers, sales folk, storytellers, and professional speakers called:
THE ART AND TECHNIQUES OF STORYTELLING 

ADVICE FOR NEW STORYTELLERS

Do you have any advice for new storytellers?
Have fun with the stories! Don't just tell stories, get involved with them. Find your own style. don't copy others, be the original you! Also get involved with a local storytelling guild if possible. They will help you a lot.

What choices have you made that helped further your career?
Asking for help from successful solo performers. Not just storytellers, but performers who are doing well in the entertaining and speaking business. Following their advice has helped me to double my shows as well as helping me to finish my CD's.

What's the best advice you ever received?
Be myself and find my own style.