sample introduction speech for a speaker

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How to Write and Deliver an Engaging Guest Speaker Introduction

Last Updated: July 3, 2024 Fact Checked

Writing the Introduction

Delivering the speech, sample speeches, expert q&a.

This article was co-authored by Deb DiSandro and by wikiHow staff writer, Ali Garbacz, B.A. . Deb DiSandro is the Owner of Speak Up On Purpose, an organization dedicated to improving and teaching public speaking. Deb has over 30 years of experience as a national speaker and has presented at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Conference and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was awarded the National Speakers Association Member of the Year 2007 and has been published in Writer's Digest, Daily Herald, Women's Day, and Better Homes & Gardens. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,212,223 times.

Introducing a guest speaker is quite an honor. As the introducer, you get the audience excited about the talk they’re about to hear and play a crucial role in connecting the speaker to their audience on a more human level. Writing the perfect introduction speech requires some research and rehearsal on your part, but rest assured that you’ll be left with a speech that’ll leave your audience wanting more. Keep reading for our complete guide to writing the best introduction speech. Also, take a look at the samples we’ve included to get help you get started.

Things You Should Know

• Establish the guest speaker’s credibility by mentioning notable achievements and experiences that relate to the topic of their speech.
• Share a quick anecdote or surprising fact about the guest speaker to paint a picture of their personality and character.
• Get the audience excited for the upcoming presentation with a short sentence stating what the guest speaker will be talking about.
• Wait until the very end to introduce the guest speaker by their full name and title.

Researching the Speaker

• When the speaker provides an introduction for you, use it. Read it over a few times and don’t hesitate to ask them for any clarification if you need it.

• For example, if the speech is about encouraging young girls to learn computer programming, don’t spend time explaining how the speaker can teach these skills to adults.
• Additionally, if the audience is mostly people who work in the education field rather than computer programming, avoid using a lot of jargon specific to computer programming so the audience can follow along better.

• Another method is to ask the speaker for their resume. Use this to pick out their most notable achievements to help establish their credibility.
• A good introduction goes beyond just reciting the speaker’s personal history. However, noting their most relevant and impressive achievements will help establish them as an authoritative figure to the audience.

• Always get the speaker’s permission before using these details. If you need to use this information, have an explanation ready as to why it’s important to your introduction.

• Be careful if you’re using pieces from another speech since it is copyrighted material and can’t be used without the speaker’s permission. Talk directly to the speaker about using these portions, or rephrase the section in your own words.

• “Many don’t know that John Doe originally went to school for law, but ended up choosing psychology instead. Just like many of you, he didn’t have much of an idea of where his life would take him. Little did he know that his legal studies would actually help him to become one of the most renowned therapists we know today.”

• Avoid using overly casual language to refer to the speaker, such as “guy,” “girl,” or “kid.” Instead, use “person,” “woman,” or “man.”

• “Jane’s passion for creative writing goes back to her high school days where she began the draft for her very first novel at the age of 15. By the time she was entering her sophomore year of college at 19 years old, she had already published her first book.”
• “John has received recognition and praise from some of the largest Fortune 500 companies for his dedication to creating curriculums to help strengthen teamwork in the workplace. He’s received multiple awards for his work and has even gone on to write a book sharing his unique insights and perspective.”

• “Jane will tell you exactly how you can manifest every single one of your goals by making just five simple changes in your daily life.”
• “John is here today to share the secret to maximizing your savings so you can live freely without ever having to worry about finances again.”

• “John and I met a few years back and immediately bonded over the struggle of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I’m sure many of us can relate to this.”
• “Jane’s book on navigating childcare in our current economy struck me at a very deep level. I’ve never read such relatable and honest words, and her work has given me comfort and reassurance during these unpredictable times.”

• For example, you might say, “John Smith’s story working in the lumber industry inspired me to go out and build a cabinet. Unsurprisingly, it fell apart within five minutes of being built. I went back to him, and he was sure to reassure me that it’s a practice that requires much patience.”

• “Please join me in welcoming Dr. John Smith!”
• “Here to discuss her newest book, “How to Live a Happier Life,” please give a warm welcome to Jane Doe.”
• “Here to share his unique perspective on the current political climate, please welcome Professor John Doe.”

• Also, practice using a friendly and relaxed tone when you give your speech to avoid coming off as super stiff and nervous.
• To overcome stage fright , recite the introduction while looking in a mirror. Once you feel comfortable, rehearse it in front of family and friends.

• For example, “Good evening. My name is Alex Brown, and I’m the organizer of this event.”
• If everyone in the audience is familiar with you, there’s no need to introduce yourself.

• Get the speaker’s approval of the introduction you’ve written. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Forget about cliches such as “This person needs no introduction.” Instead, focus on making your introduction unique and descriptive. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Ask the speaker to revise a provided introduction if you don’t feel that it’s right for the audience they’ll be presenting to. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.dacdb.com/Rotary/Accounts/5110/Downloads/30398/how-to-introduce-a-speaker.pdf
• ↑ https://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/9780472035090-unit1.pdf
• ↑ http://canuwrite.com/speech_introduce.php
• ↑ http://www.write-out-loud.com/introduction-speech.html
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/10/how-to-memorably-introduce-another-speaker
• ↑ https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/talk_your_way/ch15.html
• ↑ https://publicwords.com/2011/11/26/how-to-introduce-a-speaker-the-art-of-giving-and-receiving-a-great-introduction/
• ↑ http://www.publicwords.com/2011/11/26/how-to-introduce-a-speaker-the-art-of-giving-and-receiving-a-great-introduction/

About This Article

Before introducing your guest speaker, introduce yourself in case there are people in the audience who don't know you. Then talk about the speaker’s background and qualifications, and give the audience a high-level overview of what they might learn from the presentation. See if you can include a short, personal anecdote about the speaker, like "I read their book and really loved it," for example. Try to keep your introduction to less than 3 minutes, and finish it by welcoming your speaker and telling the audience their name. For more advice on introducing a guest speaker, including how to research them in advance, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Speeches HQ

6 Keynote Introduction Speech Samples

Speaking at events determines how everything else unfolds. Those first moments can leave a lasting impression on the audience. Professional speakers understand this, yet many still need help with creating introductions that grab attention and build anticipation for the main speaker.

A strong introduction energizes the room and builds a connection between the audience and the upcoming speaker. Need examples of effective keynote introductions? These sample speeches show different approaches you can adapt for different occasions.

Keynote Introduction Speech Samples

Here are six carefully selected introduction speeches that demonstrate different styles and approaches for various events.

Sample Speech 1

Ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

Tonight’s speaker has climbed Mount Everest twice, sailed solo across the Atlantic, and built three successful tech companies. But that’s not why we invited her here.

Michelle Chen stands out because she uses her adventures to help others push past their limits. Through her foundation, she’s helped over 5,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds start their own businesses. Her motto? “The biggest obstacle is the voice that says you can’t.”

As the CEO of TechForward and winner of the National Leadership Award, Michelle brings fresh ideas about taking smart risks and building strong teams. She’s here to share lessons from her journey that you can apply to your own path.

Please welcome to the stage, Michelle Chen.

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: A punchy, high-energy introduction that builds curiosity by first mentioning impressive achievements, then revealing the deeper purpose behind the speaker’s work. Perfect for business conferences, entrepreneurship events, or leadership summits.

Sample Speech 2

Good morning everyone.

Some people change our outlook completely. Dr. Sarah Martinez is one of them. Her groundbreaking research on ocean microplastics led to the development of new biodegradable materials now used by major manufacturers globally.

The technologies she created have reduced plastic waste in our oceans by 30% over the past five years. Her work combines scientific innovation and environmental protection, showing how research creates real change.

Dr. Martinez serves as the head of Environmental Sciences at Pacific University and advises several governments on sustainability policies. She’s here today to share her latest findings and discuss the next steps in the fight against plastic pollution.

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Sarah Martinez.

Commentary: This introduction establishes authority through concrete achievements while highlighting the broader impact of the speaker’s work. Well-suited for academic conferences, environmental symposiums, or scientific gatherings.

Sample Speech 3

Thank you all for being here on this special evening.

Michael Torres started cooking at age seven in his grandmother’s kitchen in Mexico City. Today, his restaurants hold five Michelin stars, but he still uses his grandmother’s wooden spoon to test every new recipe.

Beyond his culinary achievements, Michael has changed the restaurant industry’s approach to sustainability. His innovative food waste reduction program has been adopted by over 400 restaurants nationwide.

He’s also launched a mentorship program that gives aspiring chefs from low-income backgrounds full scholarships to culinary school. Under his guidance, 85% of these students now run their own successful food businesses.

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome chef Michael Torres.

Commentary: A warm, personal introduction that combines heritage, achievement, and social impact. Great for culinary events, charity galas, or industry award ceremonies.

Sample Speech 4

Good afternoon, distinguished guests.

Rebecca Wong has lived many lives. She’s been a street artist in Paris, a teacher in rural Thailand, and a documentary filmmaker in Antarctica. Her photographs hang in galleries from New York to Tokyo, but she considers herself a storyteller first.

Her latest project, “Faces of Change,” captures the stories of 100 grassroots environmental activists across 50 countries. This work earned her the Global Arts Achievement Medal and started environmental protection movements in twelve communities.

Rebecca’s here to show us how creativity can turn passion into action.

Please welcome Rebecca Wong.

Commentary: A creative introduction that showcases a multi-talented force while emphasizing social impact. Ideal for creative festivals, photography conferences, or social change forums.

Sample Speech 5

Good evening, everyone.

David Foster writes code that saves lives. His healthcare algorithms help doctors spot diseases earlier, leading to better outcomes for thousands of patients. But that’s just the start.

After losing his sister to a rare genetic condition, David dedicated his career to making healthcare technology accessible to everyone. The free diagnostic tools he developed now serve millions of people in remote areas who lack access to specialists.

His work has earned recognition from the World Health Organization and started a revolution in digital healthcare delivery. Tonight, he’ll share his plans for the future of medical technology.

Ladies and gentlemen, David Foster.

Commentary: A powerful introduction that connects personal motivation with professional achievement and societal impact. Perfect for medical conferences, tech summits, or healthcare innovation events.

Sample Speech 6

Good morning.

Meet Lisa Chen. She teaches math at Lincoln High School in Detroit. But her students learn much more than equations. They learn to believe in themselves.

Five years ago, only 20% of her students passed advanced math. Today, that number stands at 95%. Eight of her former students have won national math competitions. Twelve now study engineering at top universities.

These numbers tell just part of the story. Lisa created a mentorship program matching struggling students with local tech professionals. This program has spread to 50 schools across three states.

Please welcome an extraordinary teacher, Lisa Chen.

Commentary: A focused introduction that uses specific results to demonstrate impact while maintaining emotional connection. Excellent for education conferences, teaching awards ceremonies, or community recognition events.

Great introductions go beyond listing achievements. They tell stories that connect speakers with audiences. Each sample here shows how to balance credentials with character, achievements with accessibility. Use these examples as starting points, then adjust them to fit your speaker and occasion. The right introduction creates anticipation and sets up your speaker for success.