How to Start a Speech: The Best (and Worst) Speech Openers

Summary

This video script offers advice on effective speech openers, highlighting common mistakes like drawing attention to technical issues or nervousness. It emphasizes the importance of starting strong with stories, sharing a big idea upfront, or using a quirky one-liner to engage the audience. The speaker also provides templates for crafting compelling openers and suggests visiting sciencepeople.com for resources on powerful presentation skills.

Takeaways

• 😅 Avoid starting with technical issues or mentioning nervousness as it can distract the audience and make them feel uneasy.
• 🎤 Do not open with a half-hearted welcome or a nicety that sounds insincere; it can come across as fake and unengaging.
• 📣 Use stories as the best way to open a speech; they capture the audience's imagination and attention from the start.
• 💡 Share your big idea upfront to immediately engage the audience and avoid making them wait for the main point.
• 😜 Consider starting with a quirky one-liner or humor to pique curiosity and set a positive tone for the speech.
• 🤔 Use interesting facts or questions to hook the audience and lead them into the content of your speech.
• 👀 Make sure your body language and nonverbal communication are congruent with your words to avoid appearing insincere.
• 🎬 Watch examples of great speech openers from speakers like David Brooks and Stacy Smith to learn effective techniques.
• 📝 Utilize 'fill in the blank' templates to help craft your own engaging speech openers based on stories, big ideas, or intriguing questions.
• 📉 Learn from the 'worst' openers to avoid common mistakes that can derail a speech from the beginning.
• 📚 For further improvement, consider taking courses like 'Powerful Presentations' to enhance your public speaking skills.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video script?

The main purpose of the video script is to provide guidance on how to effectively open a speech, presentation, pitch, or toast, by discussing the best and worst ways to start.

Why should you avoid starting a speech with technical issues?

Starting with technical issues can make the audience focus on what's not working rather than on the speech content, which can be distracting and set a negative tone.

What is the downside of mentioning your nervousness at the beginning of a speech?

Mentioning nervousness can make the audience nervous as well, as they may start to look for signs of your nervousness and it can create a negative atmosphere.

Why should you not start a speech with a half-hearted welcome or a boring nicety?

A half-hearted welcome or a boring nicety can come across as insincere and does not engage the audience, potentially making them disinterested from the start.

What is the best way to start a presentation according to the script?

The best way to start a presentation is with a story, as it captures the audience's imagination and attention more effectively than other methods.

What is the advantage of starting a speech with a big idea?

Starting with a big idea right away can engage the audience by presenting something significant and interesting upfront, without making them wait for the main point.

How can a quirky one-liner be used effectively in a speech opening?

A quirky one-liner can pique the audience's curiosity or make them laugh, which is a great way to start a speech on a high note and draw them in.

What are some examples of interesting factoids that can be used to hook an audience in a corporate workshop?

Examples include the speed at which first impressions are made, the power of nonverbal communication compared to words, and the frequency of being lied to in a day.

What is the name of the course mentioned in the script that aims to improve presentation skills?

The course mentioned in the script is called 'Powerful Presentations'.

Where can one find the 20 top closing lines from history's greatest speakers as mentioned in the script?

The 20 top closing lines can be found at sciencepeople.com/closers as a free download.

How does the script suggest handling common presentation challenges like hand placement and mic handling?

The script suggests that these challenges, along with others like showing visuals and telling stories, can be addressed in the 'Powerful Presentations' course.