What does Mattson Do?

We give presentations on how to give presentations.

Our mission:

Improve Communities by Improving Communication Skills

How do we do this?

We teach people public speaking and presentation skills

We train people how to give speeches and sharpen presentation skills

We teach sales people to sell using presentations

We train sales people to sell using presentations

We teach people to raise funds and recruit volunteers using presentations

We train people to raise funds and recruit volunteers using presentations

We teach professionals to share their ideas and work using presentation skills

We train professional to share their ideas and work using presentation skills

We teach professionals to motivate people using presentation skills

We train professionals to motivate people using presentation skills

We teach professionals to manage people using presentation skills

We train professionals to manage people using presentation skills

We teach professionals to lead using presentation skills

We train professionals to lead using presentation skills

More specifically, we do this by…

Publishing speaking and presentation tips on our website

Producing useful tools such as books and booklets

Producing Workshops

Giving talks to groups who invite us

Delivering the Professional Introduction

The Speech of Introduction

The Speech of Introduction (Introducing a Speaker) is very important. It sets the tone for the speaker and helps the speaker with getting the attention of the audience. It also shows you and your organization’s commitment to professional excellence.

It is critical to know the pronunciation of the speaker’s first and family name.

People’s names are very important and if you can pronounce their names properly, you will gain the respect of the audience and the speaker.

How many times have you heard the person introducing a speaker by saying, “I am not sure of the pronunciation of his/her name, but here she/he is.” How about seeing the one introducing the speaker look over to the speaker and ask how to pronounce his/her name? The time to ask for help in pronunciation is not in front of an audience. The speaker deserves better respect.

If you think mispronouncing people’s names is no big deal, then go visit any town or city and you will see streets, buildings, and hi-ways named after them. These dedicated people worked hard and spent their life building the character of their name while contributing to their communities. Let’s honor these folks by starting with the proper pronunciation of their names.

The main point to learn here, is “practice” your introduction as much as you would practice for any speech. Practice on ceremonial speeches such as introductions, giving awards, or receiving awards is every bit as important as practicing a keynote address.

The following are guidelines for introducing a speaker. It is best to introduce a speaker in this linear fashion and be brief. Do not try to speak about the speaker’s topic and steal his/her thunder. And one more thing to remember, the audience did not come to listen to the person introducing the speaker—you.

Topic: Simply state the topic first (do not introduce yourself) e.g., “tonight’s topic is fish tanks.”

Benefit—Tell the audience the benefits of listening to this speaker: Why is this topic important to the audience?

You must relate to the audience how the speaker can help them get what they need to know or expect to learn. The speech must have something in it for the audience. How will the audience be better off after the presentation? What can the audience take back home/work after listening to this presentation? You have to make the connection for the audience on what benefit they will receive by listening to this speech. Be very careful that you don’t build up the speaker to the point that the audience’s expectations will be impossible to meet.

Present the Speaker’s Credibility: Tell the audience the answers to some or all of the following questions: Why should the audience listen to the speaker? What credentials related to this topic does the speaker possess? How long has the speaker been involved in this topic? What awards, certificates, or experience does the speaker have relating to this topic?

Welcome the Speaker: Lead the applause by one of the following:

• ask the audience to show appreciation
• to help you welcome
• to give a warm reception
• to give an enthusiastic welcome
• to give a rousing round of applause
• to give it up
• to give a (name of organization) welcome, etc

and say the speaker’s name. Make sure your language choices are appropriate for the occasion. In other words, a speaker introduction at an MTV awards show would be much different than an introduction at a business convention of accountants.

Say the Speaker’s Name: Give the Speaker’s name very clearly. Look at the audience when saying the speaker’s name, do not look at the speaker. The speaker already knows her/his name. It is good to have a pause between the first and family name. One way is to look at one side of the audience when stating first name, then pause, and then look to the other side before you state the family name. You can also do this technique by looking at the front row of the audience for the first name, then the back of the audience before stating the family name.

Applause: After stating the speaker’s name with correct pronunciation, you face the audience and lead the applause (hand clapping). Then, you turn to the speaker and continue your applause for a brief few seconds. This shows respect for the speaker. You then pass the speaker in a pre-arranged fashion i.e. you shake hands, you smile at each other and pass on the right, you hug, etc. Whatever you do is fine; however, plan it ahead of time and practice it at least once.

This will avoid the awkwardness of bumping into each other because one was passing on the right, and the other passing on the left. Other things that can cause awkwardness, is one holding out a hand for a handshake, and the other is so caught up in the moment s/he does not see to accept the handshake, or one planning on a traditional business handshake, and the other going for the bumping of closed fist knuckles, or some other cultural style of handshake. The type of handshake or hug is not important; however, both speaker and introducer knowing and using the same type is important.

Practicing for proper performance will add to the credibility of both speaker and introducer to avoid any awkwardness in front of an audience. The goal is to avoid awkwardness at this point.

The introduction should be written by the speaker and given to the introducer far enough in advance for the introducer to have time to practice. Introducers, if speaker has not supplied an introduction, please call the speaker as far in advance of the presentation as is possible so you can get all the information you will need to give a nice respectful introduction. This way you’ll have ample time to prepare and practice.

Speakers, please do not make it difficult for the introducer. Give the person introducing you the above information so he/she can practice. Otherwise, the audience will feel uncomfortable if the introduction is rough and clearly not practiced. By not practicing it can show a lack of preparation and respect by you and the introducer towards the audience.

Persuasive Speaking and Sales Presentations

Wouldn’t it be valuable if you could convince anyone to do anything? Does it sound suspicious to you? It could be if you were unethical. However, we can do just that — convince anyone to do anything.

Visual Aids: Dazzling or Destructive?

A picture is worth a thousand words. This old maxim is very true. Good visual aids can drive your point home and make it memorable. Visual aids can also be a disaster and distract from your presentation as we will see later.

Visual aids are extra powerful with an International audience. Sometimes understanding gets lost in language or articulation; however, visual aids can instantly clear up these misunderstandings. Using visual aids properly are vital to any presentation.

Informative Presentation Tips

Before you start to write the speech answer these questions:

• What is the occasion of your presentation?
• Who is in the audience?
• Why were you asked to speak?
• What does the audience expect?
• What does the audience need to know from you?
• What are the physical supplies and technology needed?

Delivering the Professional Introduction

The Speech of Introduction:

• State the Topic
• State the importance of the topic to the audience
• Present the Speaker’s Credibility
• Present the Speaker’s name
• Applause