The introduction sets the tone

Here's an unedited video of me giving my typical introductory spiel before a workshop.  Before a stamping workshop where there is a hostess who's invited her friends for a party, I always do an introduction.  I can't really remember what I said in the video but the idea introduction has the following things.
The introduction is important to:
1) introduce myself and help the guests feel comfortable around me.  I'm just a normal busy person like them!
2) have the guests introduce themselves.  I try very hard to remember each person's name so that I can sincerely talk to them and remember them and their interests.
3) Let the guests know that there is a fee to the class and that the fee is waived with an order.  I always encourage the order because I want the hostess to get hostess benefits.  This should not be the first time the guests hear that there is a fee.  I have always talked with the hostess ahead of time of the party to make sure she communicates this to the guests.
4) I explain all the perks of being a hostess including that the hostess gets free products based on the sales that day.

Then I do a quick demo of the 4 cards and then I let them stamp.  I typically have one project per bucket and 2 people work on one bucket and then we rotate buckets.

It works quite smoothly and I think the introduction really helps the tone to help everyone feel comfortable and know what to expect.  My typical workshop hostess will receive about $70 in hostess benefits and the guests always have a great time!  It's a win win win all around!