It amazes me how much energy is in the room during my fitness class. There’s cool music, high fives, lots of rooting (“Nice work!”), looking at the clock, monitoring the board to see who is working hardest and burning the most, sweat, tears, and the catching of your breath that keeps you going for just one more rep, jump, push, pull, stretch, and lap. Whew!
Once the final second ticks and the music stops, it’s over. The weights, machines, benches, ropes, and kettlebells get wiped down, and everyone is out the door, especially in the 5:00 am class.
That level of energy is my standard for how an audience should feel at the beginning of a presentation. The key is getting the audience involved and answering three questions: Who are you? Why are you there? And why should they care?
Best not to begin your presentation with, “Hi, my name is XXX, and I’m here to talk about…”
That’s a one-way ticket to Snoozeville.
And try not to start your talk with the word “so”. “So, I was strolling down the street in Snoozeville when suddenly…” The word “so” is so unnecessary and may make a speaker appear amateurish and nervous.
Start Your Presentation With Your Best Stuff
I always recommend starting a presentation with your “best stuff” – content that makes a point, gets the audience involved, and gets them wanting more.
Here are some of my favorite approaches!
Story
Share a quick story that relates to your topic, a strong speaking point, or has humor. Your story can be emotionally jarring, but have a good reason for taking an audience to an emotional depth.
Question
An opening question can get the audience participating right away. It also tells your audience that they can interact with you. “Show of hands, how many of you…?”
Multiple Choice Questions
“Quick quiz!” You can have multiple-choice questions (or any question) on a slide, flip chart, or handout. This way, the audience is engaged right from the jump.
Statistic
“According to the NY Bar Association, 25% of attorneys….” Statistics are great for making a credible point. Just make sure if you rattle off a statistic that you cite the source.
Did You Know
“Did you know that everywhere you go, there you are?” A “did you know” question (maybe not this one!) can take you into your opening speaking point quickly, especially if the audience didn’t know.
Outcomes
“By the end of this presentation, you’ll be able to generate introductions and referrals through battle-tested networking strategies.” Often, starting with the end in mind is a great way to begin!
Craft an Opening That Engages Your Audience
For your next talk, craft your opening comments based on what you think your best stuff is.
Starting with your best stuff will make both you and your audience feel better about who you are, why you’re there, and why your audience should care.
What Is Your Best Stuff?
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