How to be a great guide

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1. Follow a logical structure. Take your guests on a journey!  Start and end with the why (the main theme) and keep coming back to that throughout. In other words, build a strong narrative and a ‘thread’. Thinking carefully about your segways and order of content is just as important as the content itself. 

2. Show energy and passion. This is infectious and can completely change the guest's perception of the tour. You will come across as most passionate when you are talking about something you really care about. Find the stories within the tour content (or add your own research) that resonate the most with you and that interest/passion will come across to your audience. 

3. Keep your tone conversational. Noone wants to listen to a lecture on holiday. Delivering your information is not about giving a pre-prepared speech, it's having a chat and sharing some info. Keeping it casual helps. This happens best when you are very familiar with your information. 

4. Keep your content relevant and simple. Your guests are more likely to engage with your content if they can see the context and how it connects with their own lives. Rather than just talking about facts in isolation, always remember to include the why. Why is it something someone would care about? How does it impact us still today? 

5. Always position yourself facing the group. It may be tempting to face the monument you're talking about and point, however the moment your back is the group they can't hear you. Always position your group so that they are looking at the monument and you have your back to it.

6. Vary your tone and speed of delivery. People will lose interest very quickly if your tone is monotonous. Use pauses, speed up and slow down and vary the tone and pitch of your voice. Make your stories suspenseful and vary your voice between excited and somber depending on your topic. 

7. Smile. Not only is it more engaging to watch someone smiling, it changes the inflection in your voice.  Even people in call centers are taught to smile on the phone as it can make a significant different to how they are heard by the person on the other end of the call.

8. Open body language. The way you use your voice, facial expressions, gestures and stance are all part of your presentation.  Think about eye contact, using your hands and staying relaxed and open, like talking with friends. 

9. Practice and then practice again. Even the most accomplished speakers in the world consistently practice their content.  It’s when you are familiar with your content that you can relax the most. The good news is the more tours you give, the better you'll get! 

10. Be yourself. All of you will develop your own individual style. Just because you see someone using a particular technique or speaking one way, doesn’t mean you have to copy them.  Be true to your own strengths, who you are and what you’re interested in.  You will come across more natural and also be able to show more passion.  

Below are two resources we encourage you to watch, particularly about telling great stories. 

The most impactful memories are created for guests when they feel personally connected to the content of the tour and the places they have seen. Helping them know you are interested in their personal story by learning more about them and tailoring the experience will make a significant impact on their tour experience and by extension the review your receive. 

Meaningful interactions also lead to a deeper understanding and appreciate of the destination, which is why we do what we do.  Here are a few tips to maximize opportunities to connect with your guests. 

1. Incorporate icebreakers. Begin the tour with engaging icebreakers to create a relaxed atmosphere. Ask guests about their hometowns, their experiences so far, why they chose to visit the city, and share a bit about yourself to establish a personal connection. 

2. Encourage Questions. Actively encourage questions from your guests throughout the tour. A participative atmosphere not only provides valuable insights into their interests but also enhances their overall engagement. If you're nervous about not knowing an answer, it's ok, you don't have to be the expert on absolutely everything! Feel free to say "that's a really great question and one no one has asked before. I'll do my best to find out for you by the end of the tour." 

3. Share Anecdotes. Personalize your narration by sharing anecdotes and stories related to the tour. This not only adds a human touch but also allows guests to relate more deeply to the destination through your personal experiences. They will feel like they are really being shown a place by a local. 

4. Adapt to the dynamics of your group. Pay attention to the dynamics of each individual group and adjust accordingly. Some groups may be loving the detail, others you can sense are keen to move on, hear the 'highlights' but maybe know more about local foodie options. Adjust your communication style based on the group's energy and composition, ensuring everyone feels included and comfortable participating. This takes practice and is one of the hardest skills to develop as a guide. The best place to start is to just pay attention and experiment in small ways. 

5. Highlight Guest Interests. Pay attention to cues about individual interests during the tour. Tailor your commentary or stops to accommodate diverse preferences, demonstrating a genuine commitment to creating a personalized experience.

6. Provide Opportunities for Interaction. Structure the tour to include interactive moments, such as group discussions, sharing favorite travel experiences, or even brief games related to the destination. These activities will help guests feel part of the tour, not just observers. 

7. Create Photo Opportunities. Identify great photo spots along the tour route and encourage guests to capture moments. Ensure you allow sufficient time on the route. Offer to take group photos and provide suggestions as to angles and shots (think Instagram worthy!). 

8. Follow Up During Breaks. During breaks or pauses, take the time to circulate among the group, addressing individuals personally. Be wary of sticking to only one part of the group (it's easy to get drawn to people that feel the most open or engaged), make sure you spend your time evenly with each person/pair/family in the group. 

9. Speak to the whole group. Try not to get drawn into speaking to the most engaged people. This can be tempting as you are getting a positive response. Always make sure you continue to speak to the whole group. If you are asked a question as you walk, if it's of interest, but sure to repeat the response when you next stop. For example: Along the way I was asked about [x]. This is a great question so thought it worth sharing with all of you. Always avoid walking backwards to address the group, this is not only a hazard for the guide, but also makes it difficult for people to engage, especially those at the back of the group. 

10. Seek honest feedback. At the conclusion of the tour, ExperienceFirst will ask you to seek reviews (this helps us to continue to have guests book through increasing ranking in the online search activity), but we also encourage you to present this request genuinely and personally. If you have formed a good connection with guests along the way, they will be much more inclined to provide their feedback and also highlight your individual contribution to making the tour great.  

1. Be mindful of language 

The words you use are crucial in shaping the way your audience understands the historical events or locations. Be mindful of using language that is respectful and inclusive to all visitors, regardless of their background.

Example: if discussing events that involved violence or trauma, avoid using language that is sensationalist or graphic. Instead, use language that acknowledges the emotional impact of the event. 

2. Do your research 

Before leading a tour, research the historical and current context of the location or event. Understand the nuances and complexities of the history to ensure that you can provide accurate and sensitive information. 

Example: Guides sometimes share the story that Anne Boleyn had ‘six fingers on one hand’. Not only is this historically inaccurate, it also ignores the nuance of what that rumor tells us about the perceptions of disability in history, the role and public treatment of women, propaganda of the sources which claim the story etc. If you share the historic rumour, it should be accompanied by an acknowledgement of the whole context. 

3. Acknowledge different perspectives 

Historical events or locations may have different meanings to different people. Acknowledge and respect different perspectives and avoid dismissing or belittling them.

Example: You may need to mention a current event that has opinions on 'both sides' of an argument. Like the media, be cautious to balance both equally and not provide your own opinion or offer one version as fact. 

4. Avoid 'white washing' history

Do not sugarcoat or ignore difficult historical events or facts. Instead, provide accurate and honest information in a sensitive manner.

For example: Colonialism in many countries continues to have an enduring impact on indigenous communities. Where relevant, a respectful acknowledgement of intergenerational trauma, ongoing efforts at reconciliation etc. is important to ensure a well-rounded discussion. 

5. Create a safe space

Make sure that visitors feel comfortable to ask questions or share their thoughts and emotions. Encourage open dialogue and create a safe space where all visitors feel welcome.

Example: always say “thank you” when someone asks a question. Even if the question is a little off point, gently provide an acknowledgement and move on.  

6. Be sensitive to triggers

Some historical events or locations may be triggering for some visitors. Be mindful of this and provide appropriate warnings or trigger alerts.

For example: if discussing mental health, provide a warning that you will be discussing the topic and how long it will be, which will give anyone who does not want to listen a chance to step back out of the group. 

7. Be Open to Feedback

Always be open to feedback from visitors and colleagues. Take constructive feedback as an opportunity to improve your tours and provide a more sensitive and respectful experience for all visitors.

Remember, your role as a tour guide is to share historical information in a way that is both informative and respectful to all visitors. By following these best practices, you can ensure that you provide an inclusive and engaging experience for all.