How to Successfully Open a Speech 

One of the most important parts of any presentation is the opening speech. If you don’t grab the attention of the audience right away it will be very difficult for you to get it later. Here are some tips on how to successfully open a presentation so you can get every speech off to a great start.

What not to do is just as important as what to do when it comes to your opening speech. Have you ever listened to a public speaker that uses the same opening speech everytime he talks regardless of where they are or what topic they’re addressing? This is very boring and they lose the audience attention and respect right from the start. It gives the impression that they don’t have the ambition to put any effort into their career to spice things up a bit.

Another common but boring way to start a speech is by appealing to the audience by asking them how they are doing today. Of course, this is always followed by insisting the audience can do better and encouraging them to shout out they are doing great. Then there’s the speaker that always opens by thanking everyone for having him or her as their public speaker. How boring and overused is that?

How many times have you heard a speaker address the audience by using the states football team or use something the area is well-known for to make their first statement? A few people may think these speakers are motivational, if they are new to presentations and seminars. However, anyone that goes to lots of public speeches will know this is the first sign of an amateur. They are tying to manipulate the audience instead of delivering a well-planned inspirational speech. This will be very insulting to anyone that sees through these tactics.

This type of approach has been used way too often for way too long. The audience wants something new and fresh and if you want to win them over from the start, you need to deliver. Don’t fall into a rut and these bad habits. Instead of connecting with the audience you will be putting up a wall. They will assume that the rest of your speech will be just as boring and many will either leave or not pay very much attention to what you have to say.

Once a speaker creates a wall between them and the audience it’s very difficult to get past it. That’s why your opening speech must be an attention getting. You must be unique and exciting if you want them to hang on your every word. Imagine how exciting it would be to see the anticipation of your next words on the faces of the audience or to see them trying to get a better view so they can learn more? Every public speakers dream is to have an audience that can’t get enough.

The Key to a Successful Opening

Now that you know some of the main openings that need to be avoided, it’s time to learn what you should do. The key to successfully opening a presentation is to be unique and original. You can’t use someone else material and expect to be a hit. It’s important to discover what sets you apart from the rest and use that to create your own personal way to address the crowd in your opening speech.

It could be with an exciting and unusual story that gives some insight as to what you are all about. This will bring a personal touch to the presentation that will help break the ice and intrigue the audience to hear what you have to say. This also makes all of your opening presentations different from all the other public speakers out there. People enjoy listening to a speaker that is passionate about their topic and one that talks about things that really matter. If it’s not something they need to improve the quality of their life, it’s not very important to the listener. Therefore, your opening needs to connect with the audience to get them interested and to make a lasting impression.

People that go to seminars and public gatherings are there to be moved emotionally, they want to get something for their time and walk away feeling like they have truly been touched. They don’t want mindless conversations. They want inspiration and a good feeling they can take home with them. This is what a great public speaker can do.

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