How To Start A Pitch Or Presentation: Updated!

Summary

The video emphasizes the importance of making a strong first impression during pitches and presentations, which can be achieved in just seven seconds. It introduces a simple formula: start with a surprise to grab attention, clarify the audience's benefits, establish your authority, and then outline the presentation roadmap. By engaging the audience from the outset, you can prevent distractions and maintain interest throughout. The speaker shares insights from a decade of coaching experience, demonstrating that this structured approach can effectively captivate and influence any audience.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first few minutes of a presentation are crucial for making a strong first impression, as it takes only about 7 seconds to capture attention.
• 📱 Audiences are often distracted by mobile phones, emails, and surrounding people, making it vital to cut through the noise.
• ✨ Starting with a surprise—such as a statistic, fact, or joke—can effectively grab the audience's attention from the outset.
• ❓ Addressing the audience's immediate question, 'What's in it for me?', helps keep them engaged and focused on the relevance of your presentation.
• 🎯 Clearly outline the key takeaways early in the presentation to inform the audience what they can expect to learn.
• 🏆 Once you have the audience's attention, articulate your authority by sharing relevant credentials and experience that justify your expertise.
• 🔑 Avoid introducing personal achievements too early; focus on engaging the audience first before establishing credibility.
• 🗺️ Reveal the roadmap of your presentation to set clear expectations regarding the structure and flow of the content.
• 🕒 The Star Opening formula can be adapted in length, allowing flexibility for different presentation styles while maintaining effectiveness.
• 🎙️ For additional insights on pitching, consider checking out the podcast 'Wildlife's a Pitch', featuring interviews with successful individuals in various fields.

Q & A

What are the common feelings people experience at the start of a pitch or presentation?

People often feel nervous, experiencing symptoms like dry mouth, sweaty palms, and a racing heart.

How long does it take to make a first impression according to research?

Research suggests it takes about 7 seconds to make a first impression.

What distractions might an audience have during a presentation?

Audiences can be distracted by mobile phones, emails, and other people sitting nearby.

What is the first step recommended for grabbing audience attention?

The first step is to start with a surprise, doing something different from the status quo.

Why is it important to address the audience's question 'What's in it for me?'?

Addressing this question helps the audience understand how the topic relates to them and their situation, which keeps them engaged.

When should a presenter articulate their authority?

A presenter should articulate their authority after capturing the audience's attention and answering the question about relevance.

What methods can be used to start a presentation with a surprise?

You can start with a statistic, a fact, an image, a video, or a joke, depending on your comfort level.

What is meant by revealing the roadmap in a presentation?

Revealing the roadmap involves outlining what the audience can expect, including the agenda and any interaction rules.

How flexible is the formula for starting a pitch or presentation?

The formula is flexible; each of the four steps can be expressed in one sentence or expanded into three to four minutes.

What does the speaker suggest about the use of their formula?

The speaker suggests that the formula effectively captures audience attention and can be seamlessly integrated into any pitch or presentation.