Emcee Singapore: A lot of people dream about getting work as an emcee. It certainly sounds like a dream job: fancy hotels, exotic locations and travelling in the pointy end of the plane. But what goes on behind the scenes?

Here are 4 insights to the backend of being an emcee in Singapore.

1. Research

As part of the job of emceeing in Singapore, a lot of time is spent in research; learning about the event, studying the venue and its various areas, the event or function theme, the attendees, the dress code, the guests of honour, and even more time is spent researching the various areas of applying ourselves as emcee. Another approach is to get involved with the event’s related social media profiles to get a good understanding of the audience.

2. Positioning

Every event requires a different emcee persona. With so many themes of events, it’s important to focus on every event’s niche. We pick one persona that you will dominate the event, and engage the auadience thoroughly, rather than be the emcee that does everything.

3. Prepare for an effective opening

When people are waiting for an event to start, they are usually restless and raring to go. If you come out without an effective opening, it will set the dull tone for the entire event, and trust me, your event will not go down well.

Research has shown that people decide if they like you within seconds of meeting you. So now imagine you are on stage facing hundreds or thousands of people. You have that window of seconds for the first impression to make those people like you. This will set the tone for the entire event.

Think of the Olympic games and the elaborate opening ceremony to kick start the games. Now think of an “elaborate emcee opening ceremony” to kick start your event!

4. Control the timing of the proceedings

As emcees, we will have the ultimate control of the event proceedings. While there may be a stage manager to help manage the schedule, but by being on stage, the emcee will have control over what happens.

Always ensure that you are on top of your time management. If one segment overruns, see if you can recover by cutting some time off another segment.  If one segment is too short, you can drag the next segment out. Ultimately, you will have to ensure that the event starts and ends on time.

5. Remember that you are not the star of the show

When the emcee is on stage delivering a speech, there is a part of the role that requires the emcee to be the center of attraction on stage.

However as emcee it is not your time in the spotlight.  It is important for the emcee to understand that he/she is there to keep things moving and to make sure the speakers on the program (or the award recipients) are celebrated without hogging the limelight.

H/T: Expertmc