How
to Host a High-Octane Live Event
Dear
Associate,
"Oh,
no, not another meeting... or boring conference... or dull
fundraiser... where they bring in a motivational speaker to
motivate me to do something that I wasn't motivated to do.
Then it's back to the same old grind. Back to reality. Back
to the nine-to-five."
If
you've ever observed, put on, or participated in live events—you
probably know how critical it is to have an audience that's
pumped, energetic and alive. They receive something valuable
from you and in return they give you their time, energy and
attention. That's a powerful partnership.
But
most events don't always begin, remain or end up this way...
There
are always parts of a function that loses the audience. They
are known as attention and retention gaps. One quick glance
and you can tell just by reading your audience's facial expressions
and body language.
Their
eyes become glassy, their minds wander and they've found a
good enough reason to get better acquainted with their seats.
If you're sitting in the middle of this crowd, you're surrounded
by an uneasy silence. When this happens to your event it's
crucial that you take charge, execute damage control and reverse
this negative pattern as quickly as possible.
But
that's not our focus today...
Our
focus is putting on a live event that requires no damage control.
An event that sizzles from beginning to end. An event that
doesn't stall.
Here
are three keys to hosting a high-octane live event:
1)
It begins with an experienced emcee. His job is to keep
the event flowing smoothly. He takes care of awkward gaps
during the program. He is the transition agent from one part
of the program to the next.
If
you are the emcee, make a conscious decision to lead. It's
similar to being the lead singer in a group. While the musicians
and background singers are harmonizing—you are transitioning
them into the next verse.
2)
Lots of laughs, of course. Audiences love to laugh. There's
nothing like humor to make your event more interesting. It's
the balm or the salve of any high-octane function. And what's
even more powerful is spontaneous humor. That's the real kicker.
Here's
what a magnetic emcee will do... lay back. He doesn't always
make a wise crack but allows others, or sets up others to
say something funny which ignites an audience. This is one
of the keys that make for a killer event.
A
master of ceremonies once requested, "Tell us more about
body sculpting." He didn't see what was coming next.
I
replied, "You work on specific muscle groups to get that
sexy look. You know what... it looks like you could use some
time in the gym." The crowd roared with laughter.
3)
Spontaneous combustion. This is neither scripted nor is
it scheduled in the program. Yet it involves the same crowd
whom you're winning over: your audience. You hit a certain
vibe or theme and it magically carries throughout the entire
event.
I
was the lead speaker with a message about the bad boy, dating
and women. Moments later, someone made a wise crack about
the event leader being a bad boy, which got a flurry of laughs.
Later on, someone else made a crack about so-and-so being
a bad girl, which got more laughs. The few people who hit
on this bad boy theme made the business-side of the event
fun, engaging and entertaining.
From
now on you don't have to hold another dull meeting or event.
Plan your next live event using these three keys. Then sit
back and watch your audience take in, feed off of, and enjoying
the moment.
Warm
regards,
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