speechcraftUncategorized / Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Presentation start: What's the best way to begin your presentation or speech?
Danja
Many people ask themselves: How do I begin my presentation?
The intro to your speech, presentation, or lecture is so important. Because the first few seconds determine whether your audience is listening to you or not.
If you're like most people, starting a presentation can be a daunting task. Right from the beginning, you want to make sure you capture everyone's attention and set the tone for what's to come. Here are three essential elements that every good presentation should have at the start:
Your introduction should be designed to capture your audience's attention. You only have a few minutes to make a good first impression. Make sure your introduction is as engaging and interesting as possible. The first few sentences should pique your listeners' curiosity; otherwise, you risk them getting bored and not listening at all.
The good news is that there are many different ways to start a presentation. Whether you're looking for something funny, serious, or surprising, you're sure to find one of these 10 openings that you'll like.
We all love a good story, so why not start your presentation with one?
Get personal. Share something that happened to you and is related to your presentation topic. This helps your audience connect with you on a personal level and sparks their interest in what you have to say.
Just make sure you don't take too long to get to the point.
Asking a question is a great and easy way to get your audience thinking about your presentation topic right from the start. Just be careful not to ask a question that's too difficult or controversial, or you'll lose your audience before you've even begun.
Starting with a question is always a good way to get your audience involved. You could ask them to raise their hands if they've ever experienced something related to your topic. For example, "How many of you have ever felt overwhelmed by a project at work?" Once people respond, you can ask another question to further encourage them to think about the topic.
A shocking statistic can be a great eye-catcher, but be careful not to use outdated or irrelevant statistics, or you'll quickly lose credibility with your audience.
For example: Did you know that 70% of Americans don't have a will?
Statistics like these can be very effective at capturing people's attention and getting them to learn more about your topic.
Did you know that an ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain? Fun facts like these are always a great icebreaker and help build rapport with your audience.
A quote from a well-known person can lend authority and weight to your words.
Find a quote related to your topic and use it as an introduction to set the stage for what you're about to say. Just make sure it comes from a credible source!
If you have something tangible related to your presentation, you can start with it to grab people's attention and immediately engage them. Don't overdo it, though, or you'll spend too much time setting up instead of actually starting your presentation!
A short video clip or a striking image is always a great way to make your presentation visually interesting and break up the monotony.
Do you have a strong opinion on a topic related to your presentation? Starting with a controversial position can get people talking and spark their interest in what else you have to say on the subject!
Everyone loves a good laugh, so if you can find a way to incorporate humor into your introduction, go for it! Just make sure it doesn't feel forced or out of place and ruin the rest of your presentation—no pressure!
If you're feeling really creative, you can start your presentation with a fun activity or icebreaker. This is especially effective if you're presenting to a group of people who don't know each other well. A quick Google search will turn up tons of icebreaker ideas to get your audience laughing and engaged right from the start.
If you want to start your presentation with a bang, it's crucial to captivate your audience and keep their attention throughout. Using one of these 8 creative hooks will help you engage even the most discerning listeners right from the start!
Check out my video for inspiration on how to kick off your presentation.
This video gives you tips on how to impress right from the start.
Start by showing why you're an expert in this topic and why you're passionate about it. Highlight your genuine interest to make your presentation more engaging and captivate your audience. Also, demonstrate that you've prepared thoroughly. If your audience is convinced that you've researched your topic extensively, they're more likely to agree with your points.
Start by highlighting the challenge or problem that your audience has.
It's helpful to ask yourself these questions during your planning: Who is your audience? What challenges and desires do they have? The more you engage with your listeners before creating your presentation, the better your speech will be.
For example, in my presentation on presentation structure, a problem many of my clients or listeners face is that people are afraid of speaking in front of an audience. They feel uncomfortable and insecure.
Now demonstrate that you have the solution and explain why they should listen. Because many in the audience want to know: what's in it for me?
Ideally, you should give a brief overview of what your audience can expect and what problems and challenges your presentation will solve, or at least provide the inspiration for a solution.
The benefit for the audience, the promise to your listeners:
In this presentation, I will give you a presentation structure that will make you feel confident and self-assured, and allow you to get your core message across effectively.
Further useful articles:
How do you end your presentation effectively?
PPresentation structure - 3 ways to get your presentation to the point
About the person: Mag. Danja Bauer
With over 25 years of experience as a singer, presenter, and speaker on national and international stages, Danja Bauer is an expert in effective and captivating presentations. Danja, a multi-award winner, including at the 2020 Toastmasters international public speaking competition, helps entrepreneurs and sales managers become compelling and inspiring speakers. She shares her extensive knowledge through rhetoric coaching, training, workshops, and keynote speeches.
Feel free to contact me at: