It’s true what they say about first impressions - they can make or break you.

It’s also wise to carry a list of announcements that need to be made and the names of who to contact in the event of a tech issue or medical emergency. To ensure everything goes off without a hitch, make sure everything is set up and tested well in advance of the event. There may be times where you need to improvise when on stage but for the most part, the presentation should be well planned and practiced. When you’re the emcee, it’s important to understand what type of audience you will be presenting to and what they would like to hear. Why? Because the tone and audience for a wedding is very different than that of a gala or business conference. Knowing who you are presenting to is key. To ensure your presentation energizes the room and connects with the audience, follow these seven tips for emceeing like a pro.

If you don’t want to fumble awkwardly on stage or humiliate yourself with bad jokes, then you need to plan well in advance. Have you been asked to emcee an event? If so, what you do between now and then will make all the difference.