We’ve all been there—you’ve spent hours perfecting your presentation and know it like the back of your hand. Yet when the time comes to start that presentation, you’re at a loss for words. Then there’s the fact that… Maybe something like this:
“Hi everyone, thanks for being here. Today I’m going to be talking about ‘Topic A,’ which includes points 1, point 2, and point 3. Let’s go ahead and get started.”
That’s a good start…but it’s one that everyone has heard before, many times. You want to stand out from the crowd, not be simply another PowerPoint presentation! To begin your presentations, use something more strong.
You can start our business presentation courses here.
Power Openings
Why not begin with a hook or a catchphrase? When you open your presentation with a rhetorical question, a surprising statistic, or a thought-provoking notion, your audience is more likely to interact with the remainder of your presentation. Each audience member’s sense of anticipation should be highly dynamic and should not fade off. With a bold, compelling beginning, you can assure that this is the case.
Here are several examples:
If you’re delivering a presentation on how to create a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, here are a few ideas to spice up your introduction:
- I’ll never forget making my first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Even though there was more jelly on my hands than on the bread, I knew I’d found a new favourite dish. Prepare to meet your new fave!
- Could you prepare the ideal PB&J if you were asked to? I guarantee you will after today.
- You know how satisfying a PB&J sandwich is after a long day at the pool or on the playground? Today you’ll learn how to cook a sandwich that will transport you back to that time.
- Who hasn’t created a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? If that describes you, you’ve come to the correct spot!
- They are much more interesting than “Hi, my name is John Doe, and today I’m going to show you how to prepare a PB&J sandwich.”
How about you wrap up your presentation?
“Well, that’s all I have for you today,” many of us hear and say. Thank you for coming; please contact me if you have any questions.” If it’s a virtual presentation, it’s followed by 30 seconds of uncomfortable waving in an attempt to exit the meeting!
Instead, consider the following alternatives:
The Bookend Close: To use the bookend closing, you must bring the whole speech full circle. Return to your first opening or challenge. Remind them of the key ideas. Remember, the more you tell them, the more likely they are to grasp it!
The Challenge Finish: You may wish to provide a last call to action to your audience. Encourage them to accomplish something extraordinary or to go outside of their comfort zone.
The Echo Close: This is a very powerful technique for getting your audience to remember your presentation. There is a lot going on in this video, so buckle up. Concentrate on a single word or phrase that will serve to emphasise your call to action. Make the sound bite that will ring in their ears and motivate them to action.
They will remember what you said last and the first impression you made. When producing an out-of-this-world presentation, the Power Opening & Closing should be your first focus!
