In every celebration, we look forward to its venue, catering services, gimmicks and program flow. Indulge in the scrumptious food, fun events, and party all night long. Seeing the big picture, we’ll see that everything is all right. On the small details, we would know how hard and time consuming it is to do the events place to set up to make it gorgeous, the tedious tasks of every event coordinator and planner, as well making the program flow. One of the stars of any celebration, aside from the celebrant, is the host.
If you come to think of it, hosts are the ones who present the event and keep the energy of the crowd. The roles that the hosts play are very important. For the lack of better term, the event or celebration may be boring and draggy, but if the hosts know how to carry the program and keep the people interested, all will be well.
So the question is: how can one be a good or a better host?
We come up with this list to help you unleash your talent and potentials. Let us see if you have done at least one or two from this guide.
Read the program flow and script prior to the event
If you are hosting a big or at least a formal event, the program flow or a script will be given to you a few days before the big day. It is there for a couple of good reasons:
1. Check and practice the script.
2. Ask for the specifics if not detailed in the script or program flow.
3. Identify the parts of ad lib and verbatim reading.
4. Familiarize yourself with the event.
Don’t treat that paper as a piece of trash or additional work for you to do. You need not memorize it but familiarize yourself with it. Be comfortable with it as if you write it.
So what now if there’s no script or program flow given to you even a day before the event? It depends on you if you think you are ready and up for an impromptu hosting. It is fun! Nevertheless, don’t forget to get at least the big ideas of the event.
Research about the event or celebration
It is not enough that you know what you are going to say but you should know what are you going to talk about. In events, it is not sufficient that you have a right venue or excellent catering services – you got to have a host that knows the ins and outs of the program. Remember, as a host you are the one to present the event or celebration. How will you do your task if you don’t know it?
We will go back to the first point – read and research. Hosting is not just about talking but also knowing and presenting.
Get to know the celebrants or people behind the event
Usually, we start with hosting events of the people that we are aware. It is indeed personal since we know many things about the celebrant or the people behind the celebration. On the other hand, if you aim to make a career out of it, there will be a lot of times where you do not personally know anyone.
Getting to know the celebrant or the people behind the event does not mean you need to make a BFF bond in a snap of your fingers. It is necessary for you to make a real connection between them, so you’ll get an idea what kind of people they are.
Watch and observe other hosts
If you are a newbie, watching and following other hosts will be a good move to learn new skills and ways on handling an event. Check the words they use, their tone, posture, and gesture. What are the things most of the hosts do? What are the ones that they do not do but you? Examine and reflect.
Imagine yourself standing in front of the crowd
Surprisingly, other hosts have stage fright. Others go through it by imagining and projecting. Even if you don’t have a stage fright, it will be helpful if you will try to do the same thing. Imagine and project. What are the words and gestures you aim to exhibit? What are the unexpected happenings you should be able to respond (e.g., technical difficulties, delays in the program, dead air, etc.)?
It may be a little bit awkward at the start especially if you will try practicing in front of the mirror. But through this way, you’ll get to see how your facial reactions, posture, and gesture.
Exhibit a good vibe type of confidence
If you are a keen observer and been to some events and celebrations already, you will see that not all hosts have the same level of confidence. Others are happy and positively affecting you, while some are irritatingly confident. Your goal is to have a good and positive effect on the crowd and event itself. Remember, you are supposed to bring smiles on peoples face, not frowns.
One thing you should do to observe this point is just to be natural. That is why it is important for you to know what you are doing so you can accurately project yourself. You don’t need to do a lot of gimmicks to make your hosting fun – you just simply do your craft.
Get the vibes of the crowd
Additional reminder so you would know if you are already overdoing things is by getting the vibes of the crowd. You may not know them personally (but better if you do!) but you can get the type of energy they exhibit. Are they responsive or passive? Do you feel, not just think, they understand and feel you? You don’t need to research further. What you need is to activate your hidden “radars.”
If you feel that they are having fun with what you are doing, you may continue doing so but make sure to balance it. For example, you like goofing around and making jokes. The audience likes it and reacts positively. But cracking jokes every single time won’t excite the people anymore. You need to strike a balance.
Be spontaneous but composed
One way to make your hosting gig fun and natural are to be spontaneous. Spontaneous but not to the point you are messing around and lost. You are still composed and still delivering you job well. You may kid around, have fun, interact with guests and visitors, surprise and excite them but keep in mind what you are going to do next.
Dead air in hosting seems to be inevitable, but it is something all of us can work on. No amount of mirror rehearsals can make you prepared for unexpected things but experience. Yes, practice helps, but it is still different when you are already on the spot. There maybe some times you tell yourself that things did not go as planned. It is okay! Remember, spontaneity is good.
Relax and feel the moment
What I do before going out on the stage to host or perform is step on the platform or stage and “feel the stage.” It is like a melody in my head – feel the stage. Personally, it is something about feeling and enjoying the moment. There are that soothing and relaxing vibes on the stage, as what I tell to myself and it is true “Feel the stage” for me is more on saying “here comes your second home.” I need not fear but to relax; it is my home.
There are different ways on how people calm themselves. Others hold their microphones in distinct ways, while some hold their tummies not just to look on point (not the awkward holding the stomach) but to calm themselves. You also need to know what makes you relax on stage and make you feel the moment better.
Present the event in a personal yet professional level
Having to introduce the event in a personal yet professional level is not work to be done only during the event itself but as well as in the preparation. That is why research and a few talks with the organizers and celebrant help a lot.
Being a host also means you have the knowledge when it is the good and right time to joke, to be serious, dramatic, and whatnot. You can charge it to experience as well as preparation. It will go back to get the vibes of the crowd as well.
Have fun
Nothing more, nothing less – have fun! You can’t ask or expect the people to enjoy the party if you, as the host, are not having a good time. Whatever energy or mantra you are into will surely reflect on your hosting.
At the end of the event, it’d be good to get honest comments and suggestions. It is for you to affirm yourself that you did a great job and you can still improve. Remember to take those professionally. Reflect upon it and see what the things you can do about it are.
There you have it! So if you have anything else about events venue, catering, or probably about celebrations, you know which page to follow.
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