Making an Impact – Opening Presentations

A great presentation will grasp your audience’s attention within the first 30 seconds. If you don’t you could lose them. There does need to be a balance though, over dramatic starts to presentations and speeches can backfire. Your audience may remember the sudden drama, but often cannot recall what the speaker actually said. You need openings that will make the audience want to listen to the rest of what you have to say. In other words, the stunning start to the speech or presentation has to be something you say, rather than a dramatic device.

Research shows that the most effective attention grabbing start is an anecdote; a personal story, you could make them laugh, but be careful not to bee too cheesy or make a joke, try it out on your colleagues first. Trying to be too serious, or setting the agenda right at the start is a sure way to lose attention. Personal anecdotes are a great way to start a business presentation – even serious ones.

If an anecdote isn’t appropriate try starting with a question or a quotation, a surprising statistic or controversial statement about the the subject.

Things to avoid to open your presentation or speech include, role plays or anything where you are trying to be ‘clever’.

Related posts:

1. PowerPoint Presentations
2. What to Wear
3. Giving Your Speech
4. Helping the Audience to Follow
5. If Something Should Go Wrong

Similar resources you may like

Related posts:

1. PowerPoint Presentations
2. What to Wear
3. Giving Your Speech
4. Helping the Audience to Follow
5. If Something Should Go Wrong

Tags

great presentations, introductions, opening presentations, Presentation Skills, presentation training

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