The right master of ceremonies (or MC) can help an event run effortlessly—or at least make it look that way.  

Finding the right professional MC to lead attendees through a packed program takes a little know-how, and that’s where LimeLight shines! 

Ignite Magazine asked us for some advice on how to master your MC smarts, and we were delighted to share what we’ve learned over the past decade!

Here are some highlights from our interview with Ignite Magazine that you won’t want to miss. 

LimeLight has a host of experts who know how to take an event script and make it sing! 

Our roster includes an assortment of celebrities, comedians and speakers who are pros at the podium. 

You might be wondering why you should hire a professional MC instead of using internal people. 

Many companies use internal people, which has its pros and cons. 

“On the upside, they have a connection to the organization and know the inside jokes,” says Kimberley King, CEO of LimeLight Group in Dartmouth, NS. 

“But you want to make sure you have an expert who can take event hiccups and make them disappear. When a technical difficulty occurs or the sponsor’s name is dropped from the script, a pro can pick up the pieces and right the wrong without notice.”

While a celebrity name can boost attendance, keep in mind that there are keynote speakers who are great MCs, and some who aren’t. Ditto for comedians and media personalities. 

Always ask for references. 

“Emceeing is a different skill set than stand-up, a keynote or broadcasting.”

If you’re using a professional MC, make use of their expertise, advises King. 

“They can be great at imparting their knowledge in terms of timing—where you’ve allocated a little too much time to a certain segment, for example.”

Prep them.

Make sure your MC is well-briefed. 

They should have a copy of the script in advance—preferably the week before. It’s also important to help your “outside” MC seem like an insider at the event. 

“They need to be comfortable with the event objectives and what they can play with at the podium—and what’s off limits,” says King.

Money matters.

“It’s pretty hard to get someone to speak for free these days,” says Jamie Lamont, director of events at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. “Unless it’s a fundraiser and there’s a personal connection.” (In which case, consider making a donation to the charity on his or her behalf). 

Expect to pay in the range of $5,000 to $15,000 for a professional MC. 

“It all depends on the role of the MC,” says King. 

“Is she there to keep the timeline going and add some humour and spark, or are they also lending their name to the evening and increasing ticket sales as well?”

Want to check out the rest of our interview and learn more about hiring a professional MC? Click here. 

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