Start strong – 3 gripping ways to open your talk (Includes example opening lines)

Of the countless presentations you’ve likely heard, how many have really made you listen? Often, they can sound and look a lot like all the rest. That’s why, if you’re like me, they tend to leave you cold.

So when you present, you risk seeming just like all the other presenters. In which case, people can start to tune out – fast! That is, unless you start strong.

What’s the best way to start strong? Involve people emotionally! To do that, mention their hopes or fears surrounding your topic – while still being professional of course. That engages your audience because they’re drawn in at a gut level. And, it’s so different from the norm!

“We need audiences to feel first, and then to think.” Helio Fred Garcia in Fast Company

Mention their hopes or fears…

I recommend 3 neat ways you can start strong when you present. Choose any 1 of them to open your talk:

• Scenario: Ask people to picture a risk or reward they face.

• Statistic: Cite a startling number. (Yes, that will draw people in emotionally, provided you use a truly startling statistic.)

• Story:Share a story or anecdote about success orfailure (like in this example of being terrified before speaking).

Example opening lines

No matter which of those 3 ways you use, make sure what you say relates closely to your topic.

For instance, suppose you’re presenting to managers at your company about onboarding their new hires. To start strong, you could use any of these as your very 1^st words:

• Scenario “Picture this: You become renowned as the leader with the best onboarding program in the company. [Pause for several seconds to let people picture that.] Today, you’ll learn all you need to make that happen.”

• Statistic “Did you know: If a new hire leaves within the first 6 months, the company’s wasted [X] thousand dollars. [Pause for several seconds to let that sink in.] In this talk, you’ll see how you can avoid that in your cost centre.”

• Story “Have you heard what happened to Mary Jones after attending this session in June? Just 3 weeks later, she was on the way to an important client meeting, when she got a frantic call from…”

Your turn

What great examples of starting strong have you seen – or used yourself? Please .  

See also

• Starting your talk with a startling statistic – 3 examples [Video]

• Grab attention – 5 great opening lines for your presentation stories [Video]

• Secret #7 of star presenters: @JonAcuff on how to instantly be a better speaker (Using a “lean-in” opening line)

• Stories aren’t the whole story – Use MOIST acronyms in your talks!

• Picture your talk as a shape… Now, what shape do you see?

• Abandon your agenda! (3 options that beat “Tell them what you’re going to tell them…” when you present)

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