During an event, it is common to see people usually referred to as either MCs, master of ceremonies or emcees, running the program of the day. These people always possess a special gift of gab and regardless of the type or size of the event, an emcee can make all the difference. For this reason, the type of MC you hire can make or break your function.
A Master of Ceremony is more than just a person controlling the program of the day, he or she is a skilled person who can run a program smoothly and keeps the audience attentive throughout the session. The emcee should have the ability to produce witty introductions, small jokes, and fun review of speakers and presentations from time to time.
Things to consider before hiring a master of ceremony
Experience and Skill
Expertise is one of the most important considerations event organizers should look out for when hiring event emcees. Professionalism and experience are necessary skills that come handy when handling a diverse audience or just in case things turn out unexpectedly. A skilled and experienced master of ceremony knows how to handle unexpected situations, entertain the crowd, hype the atmosphere and ensure the program continues smoothly without interference.
Charisma and personality
Charisma and personality are important traits that an emcee needs. A good emcee will have the ability to be calm when under pressure or during tensed situations. Apart from having a commanding presence and a good voice projection, a master of the ceremony should be disciplined, organized, and modest. An emcee should also possess a pleasing demeanor, flexible and can adjust to any work schedule as need be. Before hiring an MC, ensure you meet them and know them better. You can also get information from their testimonials as well as from their previous event photos and videos.
Type of audience
Some people think that one type of emcee would fit all events. Uniqueness is a trait that some MCs lack because people like imitating the same thing repeatedly as a result losing its originality. It does not mean that when some jokes worked for one audience, it would work for all audiences, different events require different emcees. Knowing your audience ensures you get a suitable emcee. Some of the successful emcees are those known for being original and can combine comedy, humor, hoax with individuality to bring out an engaging event for the audience.
Purpose of the event
A successful function is one that achieves its intended purpose. A good emcee should understand the reason an event is organized. This is crucial for the program to run smoothly and for effective communication during the event. Have you ever attended an event where the MC is speaking irrelevant issues to sound funny? To avoid such embarrassment, the event coordinator should inquire if the emcee understands the theme of the function for the betterment of the event.
Cost
For event organizers, getting a person with celebrity status is always tempting. Many at times have people spent a fortune getting a celebrity as an emcee but end up disappointed. There are many good, affordable and skilled emcees who can effectively run your event and keep the audience attentive for long hours but do not have celebrity status.
Hiring an emcee with a combination of all these traits will always guarantee memorable events all the time. You can also consider getting an event production company to help you in hiring an emcee and plan your event.