I am a professional MC. I love my job. I take great pride in my work. It’s a privilege when a business or organization engages me to MC their event or function. I dedicate myself to doing the best job I can. I work hard to ensure my clients are happy. My reputation depends on it. I am recommended for future work based upon my current performance. So preparation matters. Performance matters.
I’m good at what I do. So why should I work for free?
My job as an MC isn’t just to arrive at a venue wearing a pretty dress and a nice smile. I’m extremely prepared. I’ve researched my audience. I understand the company philosophy. I’ve planned for what I’m going to say. I’ve carefully and creatively structured my script to ensure I engage with my audience. My notes are typed. I present as intelligent and witty. I am quick with a response.
I genuinely enjoy engaging with people and this comes across during the event.
In my role as an MC I will often introduce award recipients onto the stage. So I take it upon myself to find out more about who they are. That’s right. I do more research. Sometimes I spend hours on the internet. Sometimes I meet up with co-workers and ask them about their colleague. Or I might read their published literature. I do this research to hopefully discover what makes them special. Find out how they achieved their goals.
And I add this information or anecdotes to my script.
But let’s quickly go back to the logistics before an event. As an MC my role is to bring as much personality and history to the night to make it a success. So I make sure I know why I am there. I google past events. I seek out past event participants. I read about previous award recipients. I ask questions of the event organisers. What would you like to change from last year? What worked well that you wouldn’t change? How long are the pre-function drinks? Which sponsors should be given extra acknowledgement? What companies have contributed the most money? Who in the audience has travelled a long distance to attend your event? Do any of your guests use a wheelchair? Which speaker is most likely to bore the crowd?
Knowing the answers to as many questions as you can think of only increases the chances of an event being a success.
I always arrive 30 minutes early. I am organised. Preparation allows me to be confident. I talk to the AV person. At an event they are as important as me. I seek out the organiser and let them know I am ready. Sometimes I am urgently taken aside and told of last minute changes. I might amend the speaker order. I might add details of an additional award. I might be asked to shorten or lengthen proceedings. I might be asked to hug a sponsor.
None of this is a problem for me. Because it’s my job.
I am the MC. I am the host. I am the facilitator.
I wrote this blog because I fear there is a lack of awareness about the research and preparation undertaken by a good MC prior to hosting an event.
Or maybe no-one cares about the work MC’s put into their craft.
But I want to say that an MC should not be expected to work for free.
It disappoints me that my job is so overwhelmingly undervalued. Acquiring and keeping the attention of hundreds of people is a skill. Entertaining a conference room filled with speaker weary participants is hard work.
A good MC brings your event together and ensures it success.
Do you expect to pay a doctor to operate on you? Yes.
Do you expect to pay an accountant to do your taxes? Yes.
Do you expect to pay a builder for renovating your house? Yes.
So WHY should an MC to work for free?
Lisa is an ambassador for the Telethon Adventurers, Ronald McDonald House and the Australia Day Council and happily gives her time to MC fundraising events for numerous charities.
Lisa is NOT addressing charities and fundraising organisations in this blog