“Good afternoon. Thank you for coming to my presentation. Today I would like to talk about ….. “
How boring is the above speech opener?
…And how would you feel if you were sitting in the audience?
The only thing that could make this speech more boring, more dis-engaging, would be to couple it with some text-heavy slides the presenter reads to you.
Here are 8 killer speech openers you can use right now to display confidence and make your speech more engaging.
“I’m about to share the ….. secrets no one ever told you.”
Why this works: It’s makes an irresistible promise that audience can’t ignore
“Who likes ….. ?”
Why this works: The question begs to be answered so the audience pays attention
“Have you ever wondered why ….. ?”
Why this works: Empathizes with the audience, eg. Have you ever wondered why you have to spend so much time writing your TPE reports?
FREE PRESENTATION SKILLS BLUEPRINT: Instant Access
“Here’s why you’re wasting your time on ….. ”
Why this works: Shocks the audience to attention with the fear they are using their time for something unnecessary
“This is what ….. will surely look like next year. ”
Why this works: Change, or the threat of change, gets attention
“Here’s how I make my wife/husband very, very angry: ”
Why this works: The promise of an interesting story is irresistible
“My massive business/meeting/presentation/social/….. mistake was ….. ”
Why this works: Engagement through the implicit promise of success by avoiding failure
“These are the 3 warning signs you need to ….. ”
Why this works: Am I okay? Do I have any of the warning signs? I must listen! I must pay attention!
FREE PRESENTATION SKILLS BLUEPRINT: Instant Access
Give these speech openers a try and let me know how you do.
READ THIS FREE REPORT
Step-by-step blueprint for your next presentation
* This is a FREE service, and no credit card is required.
Great article and I agree, What I tech my clients and audiences…
Start talking about YOU rather than I. “Would you like to hear a secret nobody ever told you?<<<>>
Why this works: It’s makes an irresistible promise that audience can’t ignore
Again I agree, and would add the best way to connect to an audience to to speak to one person and the all hear the speaker is talking to me.” As in “Do YOU like…. <<<<“Who likes ….. ?”
Why this works: The question begs to be answered so the audience pays attention
Keep up the good work. Patricia Fripp
Thanks so much for the wonderful feedback, Patricia! I’m honored to have someone of your knowledge and experience reading my blog.
So succinctly put, yet so powerfully delivered !
Nice! To me only one of this tips- each every time- works! The thought you trigger of an interesting story to follow your opener is always very gripping! Though mind you at times the rocket launches well with this but falls mid the flight if it- your story- does not have the boosters!!
A good opening (aka hook) is good practice for presenting. Especially when it’s a question about a personal story.