Have you ever noticed that when you deliver a presentation, you always tend to do better overall if you kick off with an energetic, compelling opening? Think about it. You’ve created momentum, rather than an uphill battle. Your confidence is fed because you notice everyone perking up in their seats—clearly intrigued by your opening. Conversely, if your introduction is mediocre, then you experience the challenge of having to charm a more resistant audience during the body of your presentation. Sure, it’s possible to recover from a lame intro, but you’re simply making it harder on yourself to do so.
A strong opening statement establishes a connection. It’s memorable. It guides your audience on what to expect from you.
I often tell my clients and students that when practicing a presentation, it’s of topmost import to focus on the opening.
I recently thought of this again when I attended a Chopin concert at the CSO. The first half of the performance was a series of 24 preludes. What a brilliant idea! At that moment, it occurred to me that perhaps it makes sense for a speaker to practice multiple openings, to decide which one works best. Don’t just settle on the first introduction approach that comes to your mind. Instead, contemplate the mood, feeling, message, and temperament that you create from each different version. Which will be most compelling? Which will get them to sit up and focus? Which will raise audience energy and openness to consider your topic most favorably?
The same is true with conclusions. Why not at least ponder two or three alternatives to see what will best stick in their minds?
In Part II, I will share information on alternative ways to compose your content, as suggested to me by Rogen Communications, Inc.