EV Newsletter

What Are the Duties of an Emcee?

An emcee is a phonetic spelling of the acronym M.C., which is short for the master of ceremonies. An emcee is the host and facilitator of the event. The event can be any event. If you are holding the microphone on stage conducting, facilitating an event, you are the emcee.

The role of an emcee is to warm up the crowd to prepare them for the program ahead. The emcee sets the tone. You are there to make the main stars of the show look good. You are also there to make sure there are smooth transitions between different segments of the program so that it flows smoothly. Should there be any hiccup, the emcee will have to ensure minimal disruptions to the program.

 

House Rules

As the first person that the audience sees, the emcee represents the organizers to the audience. In this role, the emcee takes the time to set down some rules of the house and dispenses any additional information as needed. For example, they may point out the location of the emergency exits and the restrooms. 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 well and most importantly people will start walking away and lose interest in what you have to say even if you have the most exciting announcement to be made. The first few seconds you have in an event determines the rest of the day.

 

Opening the Ceremony

Besides that, starting with the right mindset is very crucial to bring positive and energetic vibes on to the stage and everyone around. Of course, being energetic doesn’t mean you have to jump around the hall or space(but unless you need to)an occasion gets lively with an emcee who sounds bright and enthusiastic of the program ahead whether it is a celebration, an event everyone who is there has an end goal to achieve and it is our job as an emcee to ensure it succeeds and meet the goal. Setting the right tone for the right time, like from announcing the speakers, to inviting the participants, announcing the winners they all shall sound different, so people can understand your emotions through it.

 

Transitions and Timing

An emcee is also the protocol person in an event and shall always be aware of surrounding and able to control the timing of the event. Where you may have to shorten or extend a session if necessary. So it is best to know your event to be able to perhaps suddenly conduct a game session or fill up with some other activities’ all those who know will know that something will change could be the speaker, the flow of the event, an emcee has to always be ready for last-minute changes. Ultimately, you will have to ensure that the event starts and ends on time. Before starting an event you may go through the agenda with the audience or tell them how many hours you are going to be with them today so they would know what they can expect from the rest of the event and can give full attention to you.

 

Ending the Show

Just as there must be a good opening, there must be a closing to wrap up the event. You may follow the steps below as a guide. First, thank the audience for their cooperation throughout the event. Recap the proceedings for the day. Re-emphasize key points. Remind the audience of any announcements. Wish them well. Relax, smile, and enjoy yourself! The more you embrace your emcee (master of ceremony) role with joy and excitement, the more fun you will have and the more fun your audience will have.