Your Holiday Special – Communication Tips for Your Role as a Host!

Chinese New Year (and the long weekend!) is coming up, and with that, more opportunities for you to host and entertain your relatives, friends, and guests! While the COVID-19 measures have limited the number of visitors per household, there is still an opportunity for you to play the role of an engaging and entertaining host. Beyond preparing the dishes and delectable pastries, your role as the host may extend to other communication aspects such as conversation-driving or guiding your guests.

You may be thinking: why do I need communication tips for hosting? Well, while some of us may find hosting an easy or ‘natural’ role to play, most may find the prospect of hosting daunting. From an events management perspective (e.g., preparing food, arranging cutleries) to the networking setting (e.g., sustaining conversation), you can do with some key communication techniques that will boost your chances of making your event memorable.

*** You don’t want your response to “Hey Host! Say something man!” be ***

Don’t worry, these techniques (below) will not require you to completely change your event – read on to catch three simple techniques on how to boost your role as a host!

Technique #1: Introduce Key Events!

Even for a casual setting as a host, you may find it useful to start off with a helpful introduction to your event. Of course, you won’t need to craft a full opening speech, complete with fanfare and grandeur. Instead, think about your guest profiles and plan the key things to guide them on. For example, if you invite friends from different circles or cliques, it may be apt to help your guests introduce themselves to each other.

Beyond that, the ‘key’ events in your role as a host may go beyond the networking aspect. Much like how an emcee will guide the attendees through the various aspects of the event, the host may also need to guide their guests. For example, a housewarming event may start with a ‘house tour’ before moving onto the meal planned for the day. The former may require you to adopt a more open, informative style while the latter may benefit from an entertaining, casual style!

*** Feel free to throw in an “insider” fact for each key spot – (pointing to a bean bag at a corner) “That’s my little chill-out zone!” ***

Technique #2: Keep the Conversation Flowing

One indispensable aspect of your role as a host is that of a conversation driver. While this may be easy where your guests are comfortable with each other (e.g., existing friends, relatives), the atmosphere may be different if this is the first time they are meeting. As a host, you bear responsibility for ensuring that all your guests are engaged (instead of simply gravitating towards those you are familiar with).

For this scenario, usual networking techniques or habits may help you be that star host. Here are three tips you can take note of. First, take the lead in giving your guests a topic to speak on – be the spark that excites your guests to share. Second, pick simple or broad conversation topics before zeroing in on a specific topic. For example, a general discussion about their week or highlights of their day may be that easy start your guest needs to relax. Third, find common ground in the conversation to ignite interest in a specific topic or sharing. By doing so, you will help to build a mini-community in your event!

Technique #3: Show Your Appreciation!

Finally, one powerful habit you can develop as a host is the art of active listening. It goes without saying that this habit can help you in conversation-driving. Beyond that, however, active listening can help you ensure that you always have your guests in mind as your priority throughout the event. Instead of making it all about yourself as the host, help your guests take their turn as the life of the party. A great and competent host can seamlessly make each guest feel valued, even in a big event.

Active listening entails more than just the act of listening. Beyond taking in what your guest is saying, summarise and clarify to drive conversations forward. More importantly, show your appreciation to your guests for taking the time to attend the event, even if you are familiar with your guests. For example, as they take their leave, remember to show your appreciation with an energetic voice. In short, like a speech or presentation, you want to end on a high note!

Wishing Everyone a Happy Chinese New Year!

The tips above are not meant for you to over-think or complicate the hosting process. Rather, these tips will ensure that you do not fall into complacency in playing your role as a host. By taking that few extra minutes to think about how you can boost your role as a host, you too can make your home event an engaging, entertaining, and memorable event – try out these three tips to set off on your journey as a stellar host!

We take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed, and happy Chinese New Year ahead – have a joyous celebration and a restful break for the long weekend!

By The Way…

If you are keen to take your public speaking skills & presentation skills (either business/corporate presentation / kids in-class presentation) to the next level so that you may communicate and deliver speeches with greater flair and charisma, feel free to check out our public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults and public speaking course for children below!

For more about our (weekly group classes) Public Speaking/ Presentation Skills Course for Adults :

https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/courses-and-programs/group-classes-for-adults/

If you are looking for a 2-day intensive public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults instead (for our adult learners who can’t do weekends), learn more about our presentation skills training course here: https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/presentation-skills-training-course-by-world-champion/

If you are looking for Public Speaking/ Presentation Courses for Kids / Children:

https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/group-classes-students-age-9-18/

If you are a human resources manager/ business owner in your company…

We want to help you bring out the best in your team, organization, and company. Public speaking and communication skills for the workplace, such as persuasion, remain a priority for most corporate training out there. We believe in staying ahead of the curve in sharing the contemporary communication skills to help you and your team remain relevant, competitive and nimble. Through our customized corporate training programmes, your team will benefit from an in-depth, hands-on, and potential-maximising public speaking & presentation skills training programme!

Feel free to reach out to us to curate your own public speaking corporate training programme for your team, company, or organization! Let us help you develop them into highly effective public speakers at work, empowered with effective presentation skills & storytelling skills – them giving speeches with charisma, influence and impact is something you can look forward to!

For effective presentation skills training & public speaking training for corporates/ employees: https://publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/corporate-public-speaking-training-workshop/