03.12.2016 Views

Z_Definitive_Guide_to_Running_a_Successful_REIA_Meeting_Reduced_size

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL <strong>REIA</strong> MEETING<br />

When this happens, the audience naturally becomes skeptical, which<br />

will cause them <strong>to</strong> question the information, rather than absorbing it.<br />

Reading directly from the bio is also incredibly unprofessional. One<br />

of the most important elements in hosting a successful <strong>REIA</strong> event<br />

is making everything feel as professional as possible. (Just because<br />

an environment is professional doesn't mean it's no fun. You can and<br />

should have both!) This might require some rehearsal, just like any<br />

public performance. If you get on stage and start reading from an<br />

index card, it will seem as if you weren't ready and this will reflect<br />

back on the group.<br />

Always make sure <strong>to</strong> memorize the bio or introduction. Practice<br />

delivering it with energy and enthusiasm. Remember that everything<br />

trickles down from the <strong>to</strong>p, so your ability <strong>to</strong> be excited for the<br />

speaker will determine how excited your audience is.<br />

• Give Them A Real Endorsement<br />

While the bio will give you some information about who the speaker<br />

is, you'll still need <strong>to</strong> give them a strong endorsement. Your speaker<br />

is relying on your ability <strong>to</strong> transfer credibility. They need you—or<br />

whoever is introducing them—<strong>to</strong> personally approve of the material<br />

and information they've brought. Without this endorsement, they<br />

will need <strong>to</strong> waste time qualifying themselves <strong>to</strong> the audience. A<br />

third party endorsement (from you) is always much better than me<br />

as a speaker trying <strong>to</strong> tell the audience how good I am. When you<br />

say it, it's a testimony. When I say it, it just comes across as<br />

bragging and being conceited.<br />

If you're at this point in the process, then you've done a lot of work<br />

<strong>to</strong> make the event a reality. You've planned every detail and scoured<br />

the world <strong>to</strong> find the best possible speaker. Let the audience know!<br />

A strong endorsement should leave the audience feeling as if this<br />

person is rare. Your group doesn't invite just anyone <strong>to</strong> speak. Let<br />

them know how selective you are in choosing a speaker. Tell them<br />

152

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!