Opening Your Speech
Imagine yourself at mission control; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Speak!
When the space shuttle blasts off - those first few seconds of lift are critical. It comprises a small portion of the total journey, yet if
someone errors - they crash and burn. The beginning of your speech is much the same. If you error in the opening your speech will crash and
burn.
The mission of your opening is to 1. Grab their interest; 2. Establish rapport; 3. Introduce your topic. Here are 10 techniques you can use to
launch your successful speech.
10. Startling statement. Use a strong attention grabbing statement - with facts, statistics or unusual information. "The greatest fear is to
speak in public. The second greatest fear is to die."
9. Suspense/ Surprise. Start with a suspense-building sentence or take them in one direction - then hit them with surprise. "It was a dark and
stormy night - it was my wedding night."
8. Story/Anecdote. Tell a short story. Begin your story with the word imagine. It is an engaging word. "Imagine that we could travel back in time
to witness the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk."
7. Quotation. When you use a quotation you tap into the credibility and power of the person who stated those words. "I have a dream, cried out
Martin Luther King Jr." Quote from people well known and well liked by your audience.
6. Challenging Question. Questions are always powerful and engaging. This could be a rhetorical question. "Are you ready for the millennium? When
the clock ticks over to January 1, 2000, will planes be falling and computers crashing?"
5. Compliment the audience. Be sincere - don't say, "You are the most beautiful audience I have ever seen." Instead say something that impressed
you about the group, 'I am very impressed with the hospitality shown to me by you today. This lives up to the reputation I have heard about your
community work.'
4. Occasion. Comment on the occasion - especially if it is an anniversary or awards night. "To speak to you on your 10th annual awards dinner is
an honour." Or uncover some information about the group that outsiders would not normally know. "Happy Birthday to your founding president." This
takes a little research - and is worth it.
3. Prop or visual. Catch their attention and set the mood with a funny hat, uniform, or stuffed bear. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), would blow a
cloud of smoke on stage before he made his entrance. It always got a laugh. You might roll a ball across the stage or play with a yo-yo. What you
do before you speak can be powerful.
2. Previous speaker. Pick up on something a previous speaker said or did - especially if that was the president or chairman of the board. Build
on what they said. It shows that you listened and gives you more credibility if you agree with the boss. Before you speak ask a participant,
"What was the funniest thing that happened so far?" Try to build on this to get a laugh. Comedians call this technique a call back.
1. Engage the audience. Ask a question that requires the audience to answer, or one that is sure to make them laugh. "How many of the women in
the audience have had an affair with Bill Clinton? - - How many of the men?"
Bonus tips:
- Don't start with "My topic is..." or "Today I am going to talk about..." Both of these are boring.
- Never start with an apology. "I'm sorry we are running late." "I'm sorry the president couldn't be here." "I'm sorry about the meal."
- Once you take your position on stage, enjoy a long pause before you speak. Silently count "1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi".
- Smile as you first look around the audience. Look like you are happy to be there even if you don't feel that way.
- Get them to laugh early. You'll feel better and they will decide to like you sooner.
We return to Mission Control.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - Close - and that's another story.
Opening Your Speech
© George Torok is The Public Speaking Pro.
As a professional speaker he has delivered over
1,000 presentations. He coaches executives to deliver million dollar presentations and has trained hundreds of managers, sales reps and
professionals to deliver more effective presentations.
Yet George Torok was a shy high school student
who refused to speak to an audience. Since then he learned and developed the public speaking skills of a professional
speaker.
Contact him to arrange presentation skills
training for your business associates or speech coaching for your executives.
Call toll free in North America
800-304-1861 or direct 905-335-1997
www.Public-Speaking-Pro.biz
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