How long should a speaker introduction be?
An introduction for a guest speaker should be 1 to 2 minutes long, about 130 to 260 words at 130 words per minute. Its job is to give the audience a reason to listen and hand over smoothly, not to cover the speaker's whole career.
That's 1 min to 2 min, or roughly 130 to 260 words at 130 words per minute.
Why this length works
The audience came to hear the speaker, not the person introducing them. One or two minutes is enough to say who they are, why they are qualified on this topic, and why it matters to this audience today. Anything more starts eating into the speaker's time.
A short introduction also sets the speaker up well. When the last line is their name, said clearly, the room applauds at the right moment and the speaker walks up to energy rather than restlessness.
How to structure a 1 min 30 sec speaker introduction
Topic and why it matters
~50 words
23 sec · What the talk is about and why this audience should care.
Relevant credentials
~80 words
36 sec · Two or three facts that show why this person is the one to hear on this topic.
A human detail
~40 words
18 sec · Something personal or surprising, with the speaker's approval.
Name and welcome
~30 words
14 sec · Say their full name clearly, then lead the applause.
Tips
- Ask the speaker for their preferred introduction, and check how to pronounce their name.
- Pick two or three credentials that relate to today's topic instead of reading the full bio.
- Say the speaker's name last, lead the applause, and wait at the lectern to greet them.
- Do not give away their talk. Tease the topic, but leave the stories and conclusions to them.
- Read it from a card if you need to. Getting names and titles right matters more than memorizing it.
Common mistakes
- Reading the speaker's entire resume or online profile.
- Telling a long personal story about yourself and the speaker.
- Over-hyping, such as promising the funniest talk the audience will ever hear.
- Getting the speaker's name, title, or talk title wrong.
Example opening lines
- “If you've ever wondered why some cities feel easy to walk around and others don't, our next speaker has spent fifteen years finding out.”
- “Our next guest has taught chemistry to thousands of students, and she still gets excited every time a beaker changes color.”
- “Most of us use a dozen apps before breakfast without thinking about who designed them. Tonight we get to hear from one of those people.”
Time your speech
Paste your draft to check its length at your pace, then rehearse it in the teleprompter.
Or type a number of words
Speaking time at 130 wpm
1 min 30 sec
195 words · about three quarters of a page double-spaced
| Pace | Time |
|---|---|
| Slow 110 wpm | 1 min 46 sec |
| Presentation 130 wpm | 1 min 30 sec |
| Conversational 150 wpm | 1 min 18 sec |
| Voice-over 160 wpm | 1 min 13 sec |
| Fast 180 wpm | 1 min 5 sec |
| Reading aloud, average 183 wpm | 1 min 4 sec |
| Silent reading 238 wpm | 49 sec |
Measure your own pace
Paste a script above (Words → time), press Start, read it aloud at your normal delivery, then press Stop. Nothing is recorded; this only times you.
Rehearse it
Open your script in the free teleprompter. It scrolls at the words-per-minute pace you choose and can record an audio take.
Frequently asked questions
What should a speaker introduction include?
The talk's topic and why it matters to this audience, two or three relevant credentials, one human detail, and the speaker's name said clearly at the end.
How many words is a 1-minute introduction?
About 130 words at 130 words per minute. That is usually enough for a guest speaker at a meeting or event.
Should I say the speaker's name first or last?
Many introducers save the name for the very end so it works as the cue for applause. If the speaker is very well known, you can say it at the start and again at the end.