Jaimie Abbott: Welcome to Pitch Perfect. Well, welcome to Pitch Perfect, and in today's episode, we're talking all things public speaking, marketing and making money from your voice. Today, we're diving into a topic that a lot of people ask me about, and that is because lately, and probably in the last 12 months, I have done a lot of MC gigs and that is how to become a paid MC. Now, if you love being on the stage, engaging a crowd and making events run smoothly, being an mc, a professional mc, can be a seriously exciting career path for you and you can get paid really well for it. So by the end of this episode, you'll have a clear roadmap to turn your speaking skills into a paid MC gig. From where to start, how to build your experience, how to market yourself, and how to get all of those important first paid bookings. So grab a notepad because I'm about to spill all the secrets. First of all, what does an MC actually do? Now, before we jump into the how, let's talk about what an mc, also known as a Master of Ceremonies, actually does. Now, as an mce, you're a glue that holds an event together. Your job is to keep the energy high, make smooth transitions between segments, introduce speakers or performers and engage the audience. You need to be quick on your feet, charismatic and able to handle anything that comes your way. Because trust me, things don't always go to plan. Now, MCs are needed for all kinds of events. Corporate conferences, weddings, awards nights, charity fundraisers, festivals, sporting events, product launches, when I say charity fundraisers, I mean a lot of balls as well. I do a lot of charity balls and breakfast International Women's Day events. So whether you're draw to the formal side of things or you love high energy entertainment, there's an MC niche out there for you. How to build your MC skills. Now, if you're thinking, I've never done this before, where do I even start? Don't worry, MC seeing is a skill that you can learn and you can develop. Here's how. Join Toastmasters or take a public speaking course. I'm a public speaking coach. I can certainly help you out here. This will help you develop confidence and learn how to think on your feet. Watch professional MCs in action, come along to an event that I'm hosting, or go to any event where they've got an MC. Study their style on YouTube or attend their events and just really watch how they engage the audience, control the energy and handle transitions. Practise offer to MC at community events, birthday parties, or even family Gatherings. The more you do it, the better you'll get. And then work on your storytelling and humour. Even in professional settings, a good MC knows how to bring the right level of personality and charm. How to get your first MC gigs Allrigh so you've practised. Do you feel confident now? How do you actually get booked? Start small. Offer to MC at local charity events, school functions or networking meetups for free or at the very least at a very low rate. And this will build your confidence, build your experience and also importantly gets you testimonials. Create a show reel. Event planners want evidence. They want proof that you can actually do the job. So film yourself in action and put together a short video showcasing your energy, engagement and stage presence. Network like crazy. Connect with event planners, wedding coordinators, corporate, HR teams and entertainment agencies, speaker bureaus. Let them all know that you are available. Build your online presence. Have a website or a social media page where people can see your work, read testimonials and contact you. LinkedIn is great for corporate gigs, while Instagram and TikTok can showcase your personality for entertainment events. I'm not going to edit that out. How much should you charge as an em this is the big question. How do you set your rates for beginners? Start at around 200 to maybe $ hundred per event depending on the length and complexity. Also depending whether you need to travel or if it's a local event. For experienced MC'you can charge anywhere from 1000 up to 10,000 per event. Generally 10,000 is the max that I charge for an MC gigs but for high end corporate or for celebrity MC'rates can go way higher than 10k per event. Some of the factors that affect pricing the type of event so corporate will pay more than say a wedding for example, Your experience and reputation, travel requirements, event duration don't undersell yourself as you gain experience, just increase your rates accordingly. How to market yourself as a paid MC now once you've got some experience it's time to turn this into a real business. So have a strong online presence, website, social media, LinkedIn profile. Make sure people can find you. Collect reviews and testimonials after every gig. Ask for feedback and use it to build credibility. Create a professional brand so have some high quality headshots, a catchy tagline and a clear niche. Promote yourself. Post videos, share behind the scenes moments and keep reminding people that you are an MC for hire. Final tips for success Here are a few pro tips that will help you stand out as a top tier mc. Always be prepared. Know the event schedule inside and out. Have some backup jokes and icebreakers ready. Be adaptable. Things will go off track and your job is to keep the event smooth. No matter what happens, engage the audience. Whether it's a corporate event or a wedding, your energy sets the tone and keep learning. So watch some of the top NCs take feedback seriously and always look for ways to improve. Take action today. So that's a wrap on today's episode. If you ever thought about becoming a paid mc, now is the time to start. Work on your skills, get your first gigs, build your brand, and start getting paid to do what you love. And hey, if you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear this. I will see you next time on Pitch Perfect. And until then, keep owning the stage.
