So, when the editor asked me what an anchor should do to capture the audience’s attention in the very first minute, it got me thinking. Thinking about how simple it is and yet how destined it is. Let me try and put in in the simplest words.
Why is the anchor’s entry the first drum to roll on an event? Precisely, that’s why! It is the first gong meant to arrest the audience’s attention. To convert the captive into the captivated. Like love at first sight. They should be eating out of the palm of your hand. There should be bombastic applause when you close the show. You should be the first topic of discussion over post-event- hors d'oeuvres.So, how does this happen. Does it happen on its own? Or, do you have to play cupid? I’d say, both. You have to be born a bit of a Bahubali. And you have to work at it, a bit.But most of all, you have to want it.
Yes, your attire must be appropriate for the occasion and of good quality, your make-up and hair should be trendy and with the times, you must look the best you can. Yes. But that just the physics of it. The chemistry starts thereafter. The way to their heart is through the words. If during the first minute, they are listening with rapt attention to what you are saying, you’ve got them. One must understand, the audience takes thirty seconds to size up a great suit or dress. Beyond that, they want to savour what you say, how much you say & how to say it. It is all about how involved you can get them to be with your talk.
So, how do you get them to listen to every word you say. I am not the expert here, all I am doing is sharing with you, what I have learnt at work, over the years. The first requisite is a microphone that helps you sound as good as Nat King Cole. The biggest demoralizer for me is bad sound. Why some clients compromise on hiring the best sound equipment, is beyond me. The other thing that I do not comprehend is how artists, with unsuitable voices are hired as anchors? Should that not be the first requisite? Why does a handsome face or a gorgeous body take precedence over the quality of voice? Anyway, once you have a good sound system supporting you, thenext trick is to make them feel like kings and queens. Welcome them with the warmth of your heart and a smile that encircles the earth. And then start to talk the stage, start to own it, start to conquer their senses. Say it with raw, tingling energy.Say it eye to eye with an infectious smile in your voice. Say it with honesty.Say something they don’t know or have not heard about the subject at hand. And before you know,you will feel the doors of their minds opening. The vibe will surf onto stage. And you’re set. After you have them, don’t let them down, not even for a second. Like in the game of Kabaddi, the first inhale should be after crossing the boundary, after closing the show. It is important to know that the audience cannot be fooled even for a minute, whichever the genre of event you are executing.
So, apart from your own karma, what are the external factors that help a live host perform well? Which is the other question the editor slipped my way. Let me begin by saying that the hosts who started their careers post 2008, are very lucky. Many of us, who have worked through the earlier years of eventdom in India, barely had anything that resembled support. We were one man armies. But it was a solid learning ground and I am better from having worked through that phase. Today, hosts are paid handsomely, have the support of content writers, stylists, prompters, backstage managers and make-up and hair professionals. I have stressed for long enough that anchors need make-up and hair support on all events, big or small. The time has come for the industry to pencil in it as a regular cost. It would only serve to lift the anchor’s presence on stage to another level. You see, not every anchor has the required expertise to do good make-up. Good and sensitive backstage support is important too and can sometimes prove to be crucial. Artists, mostly are beings with fragile hearts. (Not me though!) The more loved an artist will feel, the better he or she will perform for your event. Instructions and feedback need to be communicated calmly and respectfully or they may boomerang, especially with new artists.Anything urgent needs to be communicated with a straight face, sans the drama.More often than not, I find myself taking over the walky talky to understand the instruction that the backstage manager is unable to me clearly, due to panic. The backstage and walky talkies need to be free of huha-monsters who ruffle nerves and thus affect concentration.The backstage also need to be free of noise pollution of the social kind. Drawing room chats between the crew, hostesses or other artists are best conducted at low volume. Especially, if you are around a host who is stepping up without cue-cards or prompter support. Then comes the greenroom, which is mostly in order and mostly without a roof! Nine times out of ten, even on the biggest events, I ask for it to be covered from the top as hotel venues have cameras all over. But these are all factors that come in much later.
A clear and timely brief is the most crucial factor for good output on stage, unless you are working with a highly experienced MC who understands the route to take, to draft your content. I find more than often that clients and event managers exhibit a lack of patience of giving the host an in-depth brief. An in-depth brief can lift the show to unimagined levels. But most of the time, they just want the job done. Neat and nice seems to be the new brilliant. I would especially like to make a mention of conferences where briefing is mandatory. Post which,75% of the bulk of work is - homework. I spend considerable time reading, researching & drafting the content. The content at conferences has to be world class. Beyond expectations. The biggest takeaway from a conference is knowledge. And the anchor has to be a vehicle of the same. At the same time, the host has to be a great ball of energy through the conference day. If it is a product launch or a channel partner meet, the content should make sure the brand/product on hand, shines through. Every word said needs to be approved by the client.Then there are events that are executed for the government sector where it is wise to pick an anchor with nerves of steel and a grand command on language. These are shows where the anchor has to stay within the boundaries. Nowadays hosts get readymade content that they need to execute on stage. Which is good, because not everyone can write well for an event. It is a specialized skill. In cases where a content writer has drafted the content, the agency needs to make sure the host has gone through the content carefully and has internalised it, has become one with it. The reason I prefer writing my own content is that it is much easier to internalise. And I sound like I know what I am taking about. I must add here that the agency needs to make sure that the content writer does a good job. In the few times that I have been made to go with content written by a writer, I have been sorely disappointed by the quality of it.
Then there are events where you have to spread your wings and just fly. Just jam with your audience. Concerts, social events & employee days are all a delight to host.
It works differently for different events. There are informal, fun events for which I make it a point to prepare minimally and bank solely on spontaneity. I just make sure that I look good and feel good. Then itall depends on a jugalbandi between the audience and me. They contribute as much to the fun, as I do. And these are the events I have the most fun in, because I can be, me.
Lets just say, if they listen to you more than they look at you, you will talk till you stand. And it’s all in the talk, my love, it’s all in the talk.
About the Author
Geetika Ganju Dhar is a live host, TV anchor & content writer for events
Twitter @geetikaganju
