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The
first minutes of a presentation are make-or-break time. With the
following techniques, you can score a resounding success that will
set you up for the rest of your talk.
1.
Under Starters’ Orders.
In
the moments before you start to speak, the audience are a
disorganized and disparate collection of individuals, pairs and
small groups. They are like the runners before a horse race facing
in different directions. The moment you move to speak, they come
under your control, falling expectantly silent, turning towards
you, lining up together. They are under starter's orders. It is at
this moment, when you have the full undivided attention of your
audience, that you are able to set the tone, make a strong
impression and lead them in the direction you want them to go.
2.
Formal Openers.
Depending
on the type of presentation you are giving, you can either use a
formal opener or an impact opener. Formal openers don’t aim to
grab the audience in the way an impact opener does. They should be
courteous, sincere, and short. In a formal opener, you should
introduce yourself and the purpose of your presentation, thank
your audience for inviting you and give an overview of what you
intend to do and where you are taking the audience.
3.
First Impressions.
When
you have been introduced or have completed your own formalities,
the audience's eyes and minds turn expectantly to you. They want
you to interest them. Your opening words and the way you express
yourself must make an immediate impression. The audience needs to
each say to themselves: "this looks worth staying for."
You must look and sound in charge. One simple way to achieve this
is to use an impact opening technique: one that intrigues, grabs
the attention, and surprises your audience without embarrassing or
unnerving them.
4.
Impact Openers.
Here
are 12 ways to start a presentation that will grab your
audience’s attention:
·
news: "I'd like to give you some news that's just come
in..."
·
a quote: "It was Richard Branson who said that there's
only one way to make money..."
·
a question: "Let me ask you a simple question: What
would you all rather be doing now?"
·
a story: "When I was in Cambodia during the reign of
Pol Pot..."
·
a fact: "Research shows that 7 out of 10 people will
suffer some form of mental illness one day..."
·
drama: "The next 10 minutes could change your
life..."
·
a gesture: "Some people seem to think that money is
like water: (pour water from a jug into a bucket)
·
a benefit for them: "If
you want to save £1000 a year, stay tuned..."
·
history: "When we began making software in 1985,
people said it wouldn't work..."
·
proof of your credentials: "We now sell to China,
Australia and Nepal..."
·
gimmicks: "(After 10 seconds of silence)...You have
just experienced what 1 out of 3 callers to this organization
experience."
·
curiosity:
"You may wonder what my talk has to do with tyrannosaurus
rex...."
5.
Example of an Impact Opener.
This
is an example of a power opener in a presentation on crime
prevention:
"Ladies
and Gentlemen,
I
would like to ask you to look under your seats. If you find a red
card, could you stand up. (Everyone looks and eight people around
the room stand up). Thank you. Please be seated.
According
to government figures, that is your statistical chance of being
burgled in your present home in this region: 1 in 5.
My
talk today won't reduce the risk of you being under threat but it
will reduce the risk of what you could lose. Our success with
hundreds of people is proof that, with proper precautionary
measures, you need not fear the consequences of crime."
Winning over an audience starts from the word Go. If you can grab
their attention straightaway with the above techniques, your
audience will immediately warm to you and make up their minds to
like you.
©
Eric Garner, ManageTrainLearn.com
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The
first impression you make in a presentation could be your last if
you don’t successfully grab the interest of your audience. Find
out how to make impact openings in this article.
Presentations,
presenting, grabbing an audience’s attention, audiences,
openings, opening a presentation, starting a presentation, kicking
off a presentation, impact openers, speakers, first impressions
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