Emceeing is a lucrative business, some people say. "You open your mouth and you get the money," another claimed. To me, opening your mouth is easy, knowing what should come out from your mouth is the key that makes the money.
I remember a story about a great technician. Once upon a time there was a navy ship which has a loose bolt and nut. Everyone on board the ship has tried but failed to repair it. It seemed to be a very simple task to do. Who can't tighten a loose bolt and nut? However, NONE on board the ship could find the problem to make the engine starts. The great technician, being over 30 years repairing ships and always seen in dirty clothes just like any mechanics will wear, was summoned to the ship. He took a good stare at the parts, took out a tool from his tool bag, gave the bolt a knock, the nut a turn and ta da! The engine works!
The next morning, the technician sent a USD5,000 bill to the ship. Angered by the amount which the Captain thought is a rip-off, he called for an itemised billing of the repair. The great technician wrote back and submitted:
Knocking and screwing USD5
Knowing where to knock USD 4,995
This story always remind me to learn and relearn, practise again and again to be a great emcee. As I mentioned before, everyone is a GREAT emcee even when you are just trying to start the trade. No one can emcee without first having self confidence and when I say you are a great emcee, yes YOU ARE A GREAT EMCEE!
Back to how much to charge
1. Raise your standards
Raise your standards as a great emcee. Try emcee for free or for what people say "you set the price" rate. After emceeing, take a sneak at your red packet (in Malaysia, people call this angpau which literally means red packet which contains normally a sum of money as a token of appreciation). If you have done a good job, normally the red packet should be fatter. Then you will know your standards. If you were paid RM300, do not take 300 as your standard, aim for 500 the next time, 1000 the next and so on....
2. Emcee for free.... never
Professional emcees are professionals meaning they get paid for what they do best. Emceeing for free perhaps for a start or maybe for a good cause or social organisation, but ensure there is an angpau to cover or subsidize your expenses. I encourage volunteerism but be sure to have something in return which could raise your standards. Volunteering to emcee is good as a practice, getting to know more people so you widen your networks for future clients, getting the opportunity to show your talents and market yourself. If you think these are valuable to start, take these experience as your angpau. But never emcee for free because once you start, you are a free emcee most of the time. I did, been there, done that.
.... to be continued
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Emceeing - The Different Genes in YOU
There are many different emcees but all are still GREAT emcees.
Oh! What I mean is.... there are emcees for weddings, entertainment, annual dinners, formal functions and in some countries royal functions are common.
Being an emcee for weddings, annual dinners - formal ones, annual dinners - fun and wits ones, formal functions, launch of products, royal functions, association and corporate events are all different. At times you will need to entertain, at times you need to joke but at times the program is a solemn one. Oh yes, talking about solemn, you also need an emcee for funeral.
Depending on the expectations of your hosts, an emcee's job can be very challenging.
However, the KEY things to all emceeing in all events are:
1. Flow of program
2. Important persons to address
3. Date, time, venue and duration of event - VERY IMPORTANT although is a minute, small little matter to some. You will not want to turn up after or before the event start and find no one in the function hall.
The rest is just what you say, and how you present it.
For weddings, it is utmost important to know the couple(s) (yes, there are mass weddings these days) before the actual event. Ask questions like how they know each other, how long ago and what makes them love each other so much. It is best to have short interviews among their friends to find out their characteristics and history. At times these information is so sensitive that couples normally get a close friend to emcee their weddings. This also means that an emcee should get to know your host very well before the wedding.
For formal functions, there are times where the hosts want some fun and humor albeit formal. Formal functions are the easiest to emcee because everything must follow strict flow and procedure. If you have mastered your voice, presentation and skills in emceeing, handling a formal event is normally just following the program.
Entertainment events are a little challenging but if you are an entertaining person, games and tricks come into your mind quickly, then entertainment functions are suitable for you. At times you will need to think of a game or trick spontaneously. Reading on short games, learning how to get your audience participate in games and perhaps some surprises will help.
Royal functions have strict protocols and it is very important for the emcee to know and understand the right protocols. Not that other functions do not need adherence to protocols, it is just that you will need extra care at royal functions. Having said that, there are also royals who do not want functions to be too stiff with protocols and prefer to relax the rules. Reading on protocols will help. However, it is best to gather information and ask for protocol list from the Information Ministry before emceeing for such event.
Annual dinners are combination of formal with entertainment. Say for example a company wants to have an annual dinner organized - at times that was the only time the employees get recognised, have fun and be with everyone in a company in one night. Some annual dinners involve social organisations raising funds and some may include finance report or an annual general meeting within a night.
Choosing the ONE
Although a GREAT emcee means you can master every event, it depends very much on your own talent and genes. For one, I prefer formal functions and like protocols because for me, it is a challenge to get things done right and perfect. I have a friend who loves doing entertainment events and never emcee for formal events as he loves fun and never like politicians, he said.
Get on to try emcee for each function if you have the chance or even attending one such function will already get you the "feel" of emceeing the events. Choose those you are suitable at and do work and focus on ONE type or two. DO not sell yourself as an emcee for ALL sorts of events covering every nooks and corners.
Just like a general physician earns lesser than a specialist, do specialise in your field(s).
Oh! What I mean is.... there are emcees for weddings, entertainment, annual dinners, formal functions and in some countries royal functions are common.
Being an emcee for weddings, annual dinners - formal ones, annual dinners - fun and wits ones, formal functions, launch of products, royal functions, association and corporate events are all different. At times you will need to entertain, at times you need to joke but at times the program is a solemn one. Oh yes, talking about solemn, you also need an emcee for funeral.
Depending on the expectations of your hosts, an emcee's job can be very challenging.
However, the KEY things to all emceeing in all events are:
1. Flow of program
2. Important persons to address
3. Date, time, venue and duration of event - VERY IMPORTANT although is a minute, small little matter to some. You will not want to turn up after or before the event start and find no one in the function hall.
The rest is just what you say, and how you present it.
For weddings, it is utmost important to know the couple(s) (yes, there are mass weddings these days) before the actual event. Ask questions like how they know each other, how long ago and what makes them love each other so much. It is best to have short interviews among their friends to find out their characteristics and history. At times these information is so sensitive that couples normally get a close friend to emcee their weddings. This also means that an emcee should get to know your host very well before the wedding.
For formal functions, there are times where the hosts want some fun and humor albeit formal. Formal functions are the easiest to emcee because everything must follow strict flow and procedure. If you have mastered your voice, presentation and skills in emceeing, handling a formal event is normally just following the program.
Entertainment events are a little challenging but if you are an entertaining person, games and tricks come into your mind quickly, then entertainment functions are suitable for you. At times you will need to think of a game or trick spontaneously. Reading on short games, learning how to get your audience participate in games and perhaps some surprises will help.
Royal functions have strict protocols and it is very important for the emcee to know and understand the right protocols. Not that other functions do not need adherence to protocols, it is just that you will need extra care at royal functions. Having said that, there are also royals who do not want functions to be too stiff with protocols and prefer to relax the rules. Reading on protocols will help. However, it is best to gather information and ask for protocol list from the Information Ministry before emceeing for such event.
Annual dinners are combination of formal with entertainment. Say for example a company wants to have an annual dinner organized - at times that was the only time the employees get recognised, have fun and be with everyone in a company in one night. Some annual dinners involve social organisations raising funds and some may include finance report or an annual general meeting within a night.
Choosing the ONE
Although a GREAT emcee means you can master every event, it depends very much on your own talent and genes. For one, I prefer formal functions and like protocols because for me, it is a challenge to get things done right and perfect. I have a friend who loves doing entertainment events and never emcee for formal events as he loves fun and never like politicians, he said.
Get on to try emcee for each function if you have the chance or even attending one such function will already get you the "feel" of emceeing the events. Choose those you are suitable at and do work and focus on ONE type or two. DO not sell yourself as an emcee for ALL sorts of events covering every nooks and corners.
Just like a general physician earns lesser than a specialist, do specialise in your field(s).
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