STOP Beginning Your Presentations with "Good Morning" and "Thank You!"

Summary

In this video, the presenter advises against starting presentations with predictable phrases like 'good morning' or 'thank you,' as these can lead to audience boredom. Instead, they recommend using attention grabbers to engage listeners from the outset. Three effective strategies include asking a thought-provoking question, sharing an intriguing fact, and utilizing a prop to illustrate key points. By incorporating these techniques, presenters can create a more dynamic and memorable experience for their audience, ultimately making their presentations more impactful.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid predictable openings like 'Good morning' and 'Thank you' in presentations.
• 😴 Predictability can lead to a boring experience for the audience.
• 📦 Audiences have two mental boxes: 'boring' or 'interesting'—aim for the latter.
• ❓ Start with an attention grabber to engage your audience from the very beginning.
• 💡 Questions can effectively hook the audience and draw them into your presentation.
• 📊 Sharing an interesting fact at the start can capture attention and set the stage for your topic.
• 🧴 Using props in presentations can illustrate your points and make them more relatable.
• 🎯 Focus on making a strong first impression to keep the audience engaged.
• 💬 Encourage audience interaction by asking them to respond to your opening questions.
• 🔔 Consider subscribing to additional resources for improving your presentation skills.

Q & A

Why should presenters avoid starting with 'Good morning' or 'Thank you'?

These phrases are predictable, which can lead to a boring presentation. Predictability often results in disengagement from the audience.

What is the key to making a presentation interesting from the start?

Using an attention grabber helps engage the audience immediately, creating a positive first impression.

What are the two mental boxes audiences have when evaluating a presentation?

Audiences typically categorize presentations as either 'boring' or 'interesting' based on the opening.

What is one effective way to start a presentation?

Asking a thought-provoking question can effectively hook the audience and draw them in.

Can you give an example of a good attention-grabbing question?

An example could be, 'How many of you would like to know how we can make our brand more successful?'

What impact does sharing an interesting fact have on the audience?

Sharing an interesting fact, such as a statistic about lost customers, can immediately capture the audience's attention and pique their curiosity.

What role do props play in presentations?

Props can enhance understanding and retention by providing a visual element that relates to the topic being discussed.

What is a simple example of using a prop in a presentation?

Using a bottle of water to represent energy levels at work can effectively illustrate a point and engage the audience.

How does starting with an attention grabber affect audience perception?

It sets a positive tone and encourages the audience to view the presentation as interesting right from the start.

What should presenters encourage viewers to do at the end of the presentation?

Presenters should encourage viewers to subscribe to their channel and engage by sharing their takeaways from the presentation.