What goes in, to an “outro?”

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We’ve all had to introduce ourselves at one time or another which can be daunting in its own right, but have you ever been asked to introduce someone else? If you find this trickier than introducing yourself, here’s a guide for what goes in, an Outroduction.

  1. Be humble… “It is my pleasure…
  2. State your relationship to the person you’re introducing…”my colleague and friend Amy Furber…
  3. Plug the name of their company, org., or project…”founder of Confident Classrooms…
  4. Share their subject matter expertise and what makes them unique…”Amy’s ease and expertise with coaching kids is remarkable…Amy has a gift at engaging and sustaining the attention of the toughest audience…”
  5. Make her relateable to her listeners…”As a mother of two…
  6. Illustrate a value add with a concrete example…”donating food on doorsteps during the Napa fires and sewing quilts for expectant mothers…
  7. Use self depricating humor...”Now that you’re anxious to hear the last from me…
  8. Be energetic and physically clap as you set her up to receive the audience (this is her que)
  9. Repeat her name throughout
  10. Keep it concise, 30-45 seconds

EXAMPLE:

It is my pleasure to introduce my colleague and friend Amy Furber, founder of Confident Classrooms. Amy’s ease and expertise with coaching kids is remarkable. Amy has a gift at engaging and sustaining the attention of (IMHO) the toughest audience. As an educator, corporate coach, and mother of two, I’m constantly dumbfounded by Amy’s ability to balance it all while continuously giving back to her community in countless ways such as donating food on doorsteps during the Napa fires and sewing quilts for expectant mothers, basically being a stand up person ALL OF THE TIME. I can honestly say, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t admire and genuinely like her. Now that you’re anxious to hear the last from me, prepare to be inspired by Amy!