Always start your presentation with a strong opening; this is the most effective way to ensure your audience is engaged, listening with thoughtful attention, and able to follow what comes next.
It may seem natural to open with a greeting like, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to be here with you today to talk to you about X…” But this is just too predictable, and you run the risk of your audience members tuning out before you’ve even gotten started!
I recently shared a few of my favorite opening phrases in my previous post, “The Optimum Time to Capture Your Audience’s Attention.” Here are a few more, which you are welcome to borrow and modify to fit your content:
More of Patricia Fripp’s Opening Options…
9. Who would have thought that…
10. Remember the good old days? When…
11. It was just one of those days…
12. It never ceases to amaze me…
13. Would it interest/amaze/surprise/shock you to know…
14. You have an awesome responsibility…
15. Just like you I was brought up to believe…
16. Come back with me…
17. Imagine…
I share more examples in a follow up to this post, “When Boring Will Not Do – Your Opening.” I welcome you to read this also and take any examples you can adapt for your own presentations. Give extra consideration and rehearsal time to the opening of your presentation.
Whether you are a beginner or a professional speaker you can dramatically improve the quality of your presentations with Fripp Virtual Training. Get results on your own schedule.
Fripp VT is a state-of-the-art, web-based training platform that emulates live training and coaching. It is almost as if Presentation Expert and Executive Speech Coach, Patricia Fripp were sitting in front of you. Fripp VT is designed to be immediately engaging and makes it fun to learn. If you are a novice presenter or a seasoned professional, you will find the content both practical and relevant.
Sign up for your complimentary seven-day trial and discover how Fripp VT can transform you and your team. Take advantage of your free trial.
Here are a few more complimentary videos and articles to help you open your presentation with impact: “The Optimum Time to Capture Your Audience’s Attention, ” “Opening Phrases You Can Use – Fripp Virtual Training Video,” “If You Want to Grab The Audience & Make Them Yours,” “Open And Close Your Presentations with Power,” “Use a Quote to Open Your Talk,” and “How to Open Your Speech with A Statistic – Fripp Virtual Training Video.”
Executive Speech Coach and Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker Patricia Fripp works with individuals and companies who realize that powerful, persuasive presentation skills give them a competitive edge.
