How can you master advanced emcee skills to stand out?

Ultimately, it goes back to the client's objectives. Understand what the client wants, and work the crowd according to the end goal that they want. This will be the most important KPI. Make your client happy, make the audience happy, and you will ultimately stand out as an emcee!

I find some audience engagement at the start of an event is always a good way to go - it wakes people up and is a fun way to create interaction between the audience and host. Even a simple show of hands around a question or doing a quick exercise to introduce yourself to your neighbour works well.

"Know your audience" is the most often repeated section in most of these "emcee" articles, and for a reason. "Advanced emcee skills", however, take a lot more than knowing your audience. The more diverse your background, the more you've travelled, the more cultures you have interacted with, the more open-minded you are, the higher the probability you have what it takes to not only qualify for "advanced emcee skills" but to actually set the tone for what this phrase means.

Agree with Angelica. One of my (20) golden rules is: if you want interaction, start with it. It sends a message about the nature of the meeting and helps build the much needed 'temporary tribe'

I totally agree! Knowing the audience can help one specifically craft their message. Regardless if it’s the same slides… something should be different. The audience should gain new information, feel moved and or empowered to do something with the new information.

I love the idea of planning your Emcee script but I also leave room for audience activation activities in case an event runs short and I need to fill time. I also prefer 5 minute transitions vs minute by minute to give myself time to wrap up the thoughts and move to the next. Emceeing is not just about stage presence. Its about thinking quickly on your feet and being the glue that holds events together!

Don't be worried if you go off script!!! It doesn't help you to be nervous about sticking to things word for word. Sometimes it's better if you use a script as a prompt but you don't need to totally stick to it, it's there to guide you more than anything.

My career as emcee changed when I embraced my authentic voice on stage. You bring something to the table that no one else can. Your voice is unique. Celebrate that! Get conversational with the audience and don't be afraid to dress the part. Costumes are the silent amplifiers of an emcees voice.

An excellent way for an emcee (and a speaker) to engage an audience is to ask them a question. You can gather answers in different ways. I'll give three examples: 1. By walking around the room and collect short answers to an open question. 2. By using a tool like Slido or Mentimeter and show the results on a big screen. 3. By body voting: show your hand if your answer is (for example) yes.

Absolutely! The ability to handle unexpected challenges with grace and professionalism is what sets a great emcee apart. Whether it's a last-minute technical glitch, a speaker cancellation, or an unexpected audience reaction, staying calm and having contingency plans in place is key. Flexibility, adaptability, and quick thinking are essential, as is the ability to use humor and diplomacy to keep the event on track. Navigating these challenges not only ensures a smooth event but also demonstrates leadership, competence, and resilience—qualities that every successful emcee should embody.

There are many ways to navigate difficulties as an emcee. Preparing some "filler" activities, discussion topics or content to share that's related to the event's theme are all great ways to keep the audience present and engaged. If it's a big deal, calling it out and adding humor can help diffuse tension. The important thing is to keep them focused on their shared experience and not the mistake or issue that's happening.

If you're not deliberate in your efforts to get hold of useful, informative feedback, you should probably consider pursuing a different career. Feedback is absolutely critical! It also helps you develop super-important habits, like putting yourself in your audiences shoes (when listening to you, among others)!

Get educated. With my agency @mastersinmoderation, we provide both personal coaching and moderator -training/-workshops. You can also find all kinds of education that is not directly about moderation, but adds to your skills indirectly

To stand out as an emcee, I've found that being real and true to myself makes all the difference. I really get to know my audience, making sure everything I say hits home. My script? It's not just a plan; it's a piece of me, letting my true voice and personality come through. I use my voice to share not just the facts, but my genuine excitement and vibes, keeping everyone hooked. When I connect with the audience, I'm just being me, and it turns the event into something special. Facing any hiccups, I stay cool and me, because authenticity always wins. And feedback? I take it to heart, using it to stay real and improve. Being authentically me isn’t just a strategy; it’s what makes my emcee game truly unforgettable.