Interesting from the Start
The speech begins like this: “Hello everyone. My name is ___ and today my topic is ___.” And then the speaker launches into the main body of the presentation. So begins many a talk, am I right?
That’s exactly the problem! Before the listeners have even gotten ready to listen, the speaker is putting them to sleep with a dull opening — an opening that is just like so many others. If your aim is to be like everyone else, this is fine.
In a speech to people from an English-speaking background, however, being just like every other speaker is a disadvantage — it is not interesting.
If you want to finish in the lead — if you want to pull away from the pack and leave your audience with a lasting impression, it is time to set aside standard speech openings and leave the starting block with style and distinction.
But how do you get off to a strong start? There are several tried and true ways to start your talk in an interesting way. Below are some suggestions. Keep in mind, however: your opening should relate to your topic (avoid off-topic jokes, for example) and to the audience.
Here are five effective ways to start a presentation in a way that captures attention right away:
1. Start with a Surprising Question
Ask something that makes the audience think immediately.
Example:
“What would you do if you had only 24 hours to live?”
or
“How many of you have checked your phone in the last ten minutes?”
Why it works: It creates instant engagement and invites mental participation.
2. Tell a (Very) Short Story
People love to hear stories.
Example:
“Three years ago, I stood at the starting line of my first marathon, completely unprepared…”
Why it works: Stories create emotion, curiosity, and relatability. To ensure you have time to cover your main speech material, though, it is best to keep your story under one minute long — 30 seconds is even better.
3. Hit them with a Stunning Statistic
Open with a fact that surprises your audience.
Example:
“Every minute, over 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube.”
Why it works: It establishes relevance and often creates urgency.
4. Make a Bold Statement
Say something unexpected or provocative.
Example:
“Everything you know about success is wrong.”
or
“Many people fear public speaking more than death.”
Why it works: Bold claims spark curiosity and make listeners want proof.
5. Involve the Audience
Get people involved physically or verbally.
Example:
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt nervous speaking in front of a group.”
Why it works: Participation creates energy and pulls listeners out of the passive listening mode.
Remember: a strong opening should do three things: grab attention, connect to your topic, and make the audience want to hear more. If you leave the starting block with a strong speech opening you will be well on your way toward a successful talk.
