As nerve-racking as it can be to give a talk, the first few minutes pose the biggest hurdle for a presenter. When the beginning of the talk does not go well, the remainder, not to mention the question and answer period, can seem like an uphill battle. There is no substitute, then, for getting a presentation off to a good start.

If engaging the audience's full attention is a speaker's most important goal, then it is never too early to begin. Some speaking coaches suggest giving the audience a minute or two to “settle in” during opening remarks. A better plan is to begin the talk so strongly that the audience is immediately focused and engaged. The opening sentences of a presentation not only establish its tone, but also provide necessary background for all that will follow. They are too important to treat casually.

This stage of the preparation process is often the most difficult and time-consuming. And to make things more complicated, the beginning of the talk changes with every new audience. Finding the right “hook” can be a troublesome task, but there are practical tactics with which to engage the audience.

Common Ground

An audience may be intrigued by many things. They might be captivated by a speaker's enthusiasm or a mutual interest. But a talk should be more than merely interesting or entertaining.