How to Start a Speech or Presentation

 How to start a speech or begin a presentation with impact? What is the best way to start a speech? What’s the best introduction for a presentation?

Think how you typically start a business presentation, speech or talk. Do you begin with any of these first words?

– Hi, my name is … and I’m here to talk about…

– Before I start, I want to introduce myself…

– Thank you all for coming, I’m really pleased to be here…

 None of these are famous speech opening lines. In fact, if you start your presentation like this, you are wasting the most important part of your presentation.

Why? Because audiences judge you within seconds. They quickly decide whether or not to listen.That’s why it’s so important to hook your audience at the start of your speech – immediately.  That’s the art of public speaking – to grab attention.

 How do you begin a speech or presentation? When presenting, the first few seconds of your talk are the most important.

 You can win, or lose, your audience within 10 seconds. Learn how to start a persuasive speech powerfully. That also means learning how to write a speech. Structuring an opening that grabs attention and sets the scene means the audience will be with you all the way through the rest of your speech.

 And as a business leader, great communication skills are vitally important. In addition, psychologists have shown us a phenomenon known as the primacy effect. Your audience is more likely to remember the first bits of information they hear. Working with a speech writer/ public speaking coach can help you make the impact you want when you begin a speech.

How to start a speech or presentation – 8 best tips

1. Tell a personal story to start your speech

2. Ask a thought-provoking question or a rhetorical question

3. Describe a scenario to start your speech

4. Do something unexpected when you start a speech

5. Grab attention to start a presentation in business

6. Create anticipation when you start a talk

7. Set the scene when you start your presentation

8. Why you must start your presentation strong

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Presentation or Speech.

Let’s review each of these presentations and look at examples of a great way to begin a speech.

   1. Tell a personal story to start your speech:

Is there a short relevant personal anecdote that you could open with? If you can, use a local or topical angle and share a personal experience. Your audience will then know that you have tailored your talk for them. This will help to keep things fresh for you, particularly if you are delivering the same talk or presentation several times.

Or perhaps you could keep your audience in suspense with this one simple trick:

Start a personal story at the beginning of  your speech or presentation.

Go into the main part of your talk

Go back to and conclude your story near the end of your presentation.

  2. Ask a thought-provoking question or a rhetorical question

You could start your presentation with a question – a rhetorical question is a powerful tool to make the audience think, or it could involve asking the audience to respond, usually by raising their hands if something applies to them.

Alternatively, a good idea is to set out the thought-provoking question that your presentation will address.  Work with your coach to find the best technique for you. Read our article on using powerful language in your talks.

Watch this technique in action: Here’s how 17 year-old Raymond Wang – winner of the 2015 Intel Science and Engineering Fair top prize – uses the rhetorical question technique to start his TED talk. See how this creates an immediate emotional connection.

 3. Describe a scenario to start your speech

This technique blends the first two approaches. You set a scene and then prompt the audience to imagine what they would do or think in those circumstances.  Scenarios are an effective way of demonstrating the relevance of abstract topics to the lives of the audience.

To use this technique:

Give an everyday example.

Get the audience to consider their own viewpoint

Then use the body of your speech to change or challenge it.

 4. Do something unexpected when you start a speech

Will your audience have certain expectations about you or your talk, before you begin?

In this case, start with something unexpected – or even shocking – to make them reconsider their preconceived ideas.  The way you do this needs to be relevant to avoid being gimmicky.

When done well, it can be memorable, potentially humorous and even remarkable – with audience members sharing and reliving their reactions afterwards. 

Bob Geldof used an unexpected line when he was raising money for Live Aid:

“Don’t go to the pub tonight, please. Stay in and give us the money. There are people dying… now! So give me the money!”

 5. Grab attention to start a presentation in business

First impressions matter. Before you start speaking, your audience will be on your side.  They want to hear what you have to say and are interested in your views. Your job is to meet their expectations and show to understand your audience’s needs. 

You can do this by seizing their interest from the beginning. If you are talking to a group about a new idea coming from your division, make sure what you say up front will be interesting to the audience.

For example “By adopting this new process, your division can save 6 hours per day” will be much more effective than “Today I’m going to tell you about a new process we have been trying in our division”. If you can show from the beginning how your audience can benefit from listening further, then your opening words will work.

 6. Create anticipation when you start a talk

The point of the start of your business presentation is to create interest for the next thing you are going to say.  Being slightly enigmatic is a great way to start.

For example, opening your first sentence with a question such as “Do you want to know how you can save money and lose weight?  I’ll show you how.” Will automatically get people on the edge of their chairs listening for the answer to your question. They will be with you for the rest of your speech.

 7. Set the scene when you start your presentation

You want to get to the point in your first line.  Don’t be vague and imprecise; be clear and full of impact. Think of stating a news headline: your opening should be short and precise.  It should summarize the story and leave you wanting to know more.

So, if you can grab attention, set the scene and create anticipation, then your opening is going to help you start your presentation with impact.

 8. Why you must start your presentation strong

Whether you’re pitching a new idea, presenting quarterly results, or leading a training session, how you begin your presentation sets the tone. Grabbing your audience’s attention from the start is not just desirable – it’s essential. Why?

1. First Impressions Matter:

 Your audience forms opinions about you and your message within the first few seconds of your presentation. By starting strong, you demonstrate confidence, credibility, and preparedness, instantly engaging your audience and establishing trust.

 We all suffer from information overload, so grabbing attention is tough. A strong start piques curiosity and creates anticipation, compelling your audience to lean in and participate in your presentation. Whatever technique you use, your opening should command attention.

2. You Set Expectations: 

 A strong beginning sets expectations for what’s to come. It provides a roadmap for your presentation, outlining the key points and objectives you intend to cover. This clarity helps orient your audience, allowing them to follow along more effectively and stay engaged throughout the presentation.

3. You Build Momentum: 

 Like a locomotive gathering steam, a strong start propels your presentation forward. It creates energy, drawing your audience into the narrative and building anticipation for what lies ahead. This momentum carries through the rest of your presentation, sustaining engagement and making it more memorable.

4. You Maximize Impact: 

 Studies have shown that audiences recall information better when it’s presented at the beginning and end of a presentation. By starting strong, you maximize the impact of your message. Key points are more likely to stick with your audience long after the presentation concludes. This increases the likelihood of your audience taking action or making decisions based on your presentation.

5. You Differentiate Yourself: 

 Standing out from the competition is essential. A strong opening helps you differentiate yourself by demonstrating your unique perspective, insights, or approach. Whether it’s through storytelling, humor, or a bold statement, find a way to make your presentation memorable and distinct.

6. You Get your Audience in the Right Frame of Mind:

 If your audience is feeling good, intrigued and curious after your first minute then you can feel confident that you have a good introduction and are about to deliver a good speech.

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Presentation or Speech

Q1: Why is the opening of a speech or presentation so important?

A1: The opening sets the tone for your entire presentation. A strong start grabs your audience’s attention, establishes your credibility, and helps them to engage with your content. In the first minute you need attention-getters as your first words so you make a memorable first impression. This makes it much easier for you to deliver the rest of your speech.

Q2: What are some effective ways to begin a speech?

A2: Here are several excellent ways to start, many of which you’ll recognise from the greatest speeches of all time. (see above):

 Start with a personal story: A relevant story can draw listeners in and make your topic relatable. Personal stories are powerful.

Ask a rhetorical question: Engaging your audience with a thought-provoking question encourages participation. A great speech will often include many rhetorical questions.

Use a well-chosen quote: A powerful quote can resonate with your theme and inspire your audience.

Present a surprising fact or statistic: This can grab interest and highlight the importance of your topic.

Q3: How long should my opening be?

A3: Ideally, your opening should last between 1 to 2 minutes. This allows you to capture attention without losing focus on your main message.

Q4: How can I tailor my opening to different audiences?

A4: Research your audience beforehand. Consider their interests, background, and level of knowledge about the topic. Tailoring your opening to resonate with their experiences can make it more relevant. Use a reference to place, recent experience or current affairs to make a good first impression.

 A good introduction will make your audience feel comfortable and that you are talking about them.

Q5: Should I include humor in my opening?

A5: Humor can be effective, but it must be appropriate for the target audience and context. If you choose to use humor, check it aligns with your message and doesn’t offend anyone.

Q6: What if I feel nervous about starting?

A6: It’s completely normal to feel nervous. Practicing your opening several times can build confidence. Remember to take deep breaths, make eye contact, and connect with your audience. As long as your nerves can’t be seen by your audience, you are OK. A good introduction will help calm your nerves.

Q7: How can I smoothly transition from my opening to the main content?

A7: Use a clear bridge statement that links your opening to your main points. For example, after telling a story, you might say, “Why is this relevant?” or “This leads us to the main issue…”

Q8: Can I revise my opening at the last minute?

A8: Yes, it’s common to refine your opening right before your presentation, for example to refer to a recent event or to something that has been said earlier. The more relevant you can make your first words the better.

Q9: What should I avoid when starting a speech?

A9: Avoid long-winded introductions, jargon, and filler phrases. These can lose your audience’s interest before you even get to the main content. For example, a bad start would be: “Good morning. Thank you for inviting me. It’s good to be here today. My name is…. I am here today to talk about….”