If you don’t grab your audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds you may as well sit down.
That might sound harsh but it’s a good starting point for all presenters. So if you read no further, remember the golden rule of presenting: “Begin with the end in mind”.
Giving a presentation is a performance which you need to prepare for and which you need to prepare your audience for. They need to be made ready and eager to hear your message. To do this you always need an impactful opening which resonates with their thinking.
We’ve taught over 6,000 delegates in 27 countries to sell themselves and sell their ideas to influential audiences, whether in a conference room or on a conference stage. So here are our top tips to help you become one of those presenters who makes a memorable impact.
BREATHE
Take a slow deep breath. It will settle any butterflies and will allow your voice to sound deeper when you begin. Stand tall, fill the space so your audience can see you better.
LOOK
Look at your audience and show them you care. Make them feel you’re having a personal conversation with each and every one of them. The trick is to spend a few seconds on several members of the audience by looking into their eyes and making an “eye” hello.
SMILE
A smile shortens the distance between people. It shows your audience you are pleased to be with them and you want them to enjoy your presentation. You don’t need to smile all the time but make sure you smile enough to engage them. It will help them warm to you.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Don’t start talking as soon as you stand up. It’s not a race. Relax, let your audience see you are ready, confident and are giving them time to get comfortable. Wait for the audience to quieten. Silence is golden and your signal to begin. Always open with a welcoming gesture.
NO POWERPOINT SLIDE
Never start with a powerpoint slide. It takes the spotlight from you and weakens your opening. Remember your audience came to listen to you. They want to get to know you and your opinions and not read bullet points. Speaking without a powerpoint prop shows you’re a confident speaker.
SURPRISE THEM
Hazlitt, the famous English thinker said: “The only purpose of a speech is to arouse the mind”. The best way you can do that is to surprise them. We know our brains engage more quickly with new ideas and information so use a proven opener to arouse your audience.
We call them the five hooks:-
Use one of these five hooks and chances are you will open well.
PURPOSE
You must reveal the purpose of your presentation early – within the first 2 minutes. Audiences want to know what’s in it for them and why they should listen. When you clearly tell them your purpose they become more engaged and listen more intently.
DELIVERY, DELIVERY, DELIVERY
Demosthenes, the legendary Greek orator was asked:- “What is the secret of your success as an orator”? His reply was “Delivery, Delivery, Delivery.” You must speak up, speak out and speak with passion so your audience hears every word, believes you and trusts you.
NEVER UNDER-REHEARSE
All TED speakers are rehearsed at least 4 times before they are allowed to give their18 minutes presentations to large important audiences. We know from our coaching of managers who have to give conference speeches that until we have rehearsed them at least three times, they don’t have the rhythm, pace and confidence to perform at their best. You can never over-rehearse. Given half a chance, most people under rehearse and it shows.
For more information on one-to-one coaching, workshops or facilitating, contact info@speakersco.co.uk or call + 44 (0) 208 605 3782.
Good luck with your presentations.
Barry Graham and Sally Clare
Posted by Barry Graham on Thursday, March 5th, 2015 in Features › News ›
Tags: best presenters, impactful presenters, one-to-one presentation coaching, opening a presentation, presenting to connect