by Mike Walter
When I first learned to MC (during the late 80s at Star DJs) I was given a few scripts and told to memorize them. There were introductions to a few songs, a detailed script for bridal party introductions and even a detailed announcement about dinner being served.
These were helpful since, as a non-experienced MC, I had never made any of these announcements. It was good to have one way of saying them.
Today, when I train my MCs, I have a text book that accompanies my training program and within the text book I have “example scripts” for everything from bridal party introductions to opening the dance floor with a slow song to how to teach the Electric Slide.
Use Scripts as a Guideline
But unlike my days at Star, when I work with my trainees I tell them I don’t want them to memorize these scripts. I want them to internalize them.
This isn’t Shakespeare (I tell them) where most people in the audience know exactly what you should be saying so don’t stray from the written word. No, these scripts are just an example of a great way to say what you need to say. Change a word here, a phrase there, make it your own. Just use these scripts as a guideline and you’ll be fine.
So for example where my “Bridal Party Introduction” script begins:
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to Scott and Margaret’s wedding reception. Give yourself a round of applause for coming out and sharing this special evening and making it a great celebration.”
I’d certainly be happy if a trainee throughout the course of our work together evolves that into:
Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, I wish you a good evening and I am proud to welcome you to Scott and Margaret’s wedding reception. Let’s begin tonight by giving yourselves a round of applause for joining this wonderful celebration.”
Both greetings get the same point across and make the MC sound smooth and welcoming.
Creating Your Scripts
So you may ask yourself, how can I create these scripts? Well, I’ll tell you. Because when I first wrote my textbook I sat in my office to write these things out - and it was virtually impossible. And I couldn’t understand why.
By that point I had a few years of experience under my belt and I’d done close to 500 weddings already, so why was I drawing a blank when trying to write out the things I say every weekend? Because I wasn’t in the flow. I was removed from the action and trying to recreate from memory was frustrating.
So I took a small cassette recorder with me (this was years ago remember) to my next few weddings and hit “record” whenever I was about to start speaking. I recorded myself doing bridal party introductions and opening the dance floor and leading line dances. Then I brought the cassette back to my office and transcribed what I heard and viola! I had my scripts.
So save yourself time and frustration and write your scripts this way. It’ll not only be easier for you but they’ll be more accurate for your trainees to learn from.
However you produce them, I highly recommend you arm your trainees with a good selection of scripts that they can learn from throughout their training.
Here is a sample Wedding Party Introduction script to get your started! Wedding Party Introductions
Mike Walter – Multi-Op Corner
Mike Walter is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of DJ staff training and multi-system business development.
He is also a writer for Disc Jockey News and Producer of the International DJ Expo’s “DJ of the Year” competition.
Mike is the owner of NJ’s Elite Entertainment, selected by The Knot and Modern Bride magazine as one of the country’s top entertainment companies.
To contact him about his on-site training services or for general inquiries, email [email protected].
Mike’s new book, Running Your Multi-Op, and his highly praised DVD set, Training Your Next Great DJ, are available at DJMikeWalter.com.
