October 28, 2025
The moment you start your speech, you’ve got your listeners’ full attention.
“Hi, my name is Phillip. Thanks for being here today. Today I want to talk about X, Y, and Z…”
And just like that — it’s gone. You’ve lost them.
Most presenters lose their audience in the first 10 seconds.
Why? Because they play it safe. They start with their name, title, and some boring context.
Don’t do that.
Say something unexpected — something they didn’t see coming.
Here are five simple techniques to start your speech like a pro:
“The average person will eat around 70 insects while sleeping.”
“Today, ladies and gentlemen, you’ll learn how to keep your home insect-free.”
That’s powerful — but most people rush through it. They drop the number before the audience can even process it.
Tip: Say your fact, then pause for two seconds.
Then repeat the sentence again with that number.
That short silence gives your listeners time to absorb what you just said.
“Quick show of hands — who here likes pineapple on pizza?
Who thinks it’s a crime against humanity?
And who has no clue what I’m talking about?”
Show-of-hands questions are common — but here’s the problem: most speakers ignore the answers.
If you don’t acknowledge the responses, it feels fake.
Instead:
Pause. Look around. Comment.
Say something like, “Wow, that’s a lot of people in that camp,” or “Looks like we’ve got some brave outliers here.”
Acknowledging responses makes your audience feel seen and keeps them engaged
“Imagine you’re in your favorite café.
You sink into a big comfy chair, coffee in hand.
You take a deep sip, feeling calm and fully present.
That’s the feeling our customers should have every time they interact with us.”
Imaginary scenes work — but only if they’re vivid.
Most people keep them vague:
“Imagine you have a difficult problem.”
That doesn’t paint a picture.
Use sensory words: walk, sit, drink, smell.
When you do, a little movie starts playing in your listener’s mind
Try this:
Walk on stage.
Smile.
Make eye contact.
Say nothing for 3–5 seconds.
Then begin.
Most people can’t handle silence — they rush through it. But those few seconds of stillness command attention. It’s one of the most powerful openings you can use.
“Two weeks ago, I tried to assemble a bookshelf at home.
Three hours in, it looked wobbly. I was frustrated — I followed the instructions!
Turns out, I skipped step one entirely.
I spent the whole evening fixing my own mess.
And I thought, how often do we rush into things without a clear plan?”
That’s how you transition naturally into your message:
“Today, I want to talk about how to plan better — so we’re not stuck fixing wobbly shelves later.”
Storytelling tip:
Don’t summarize. Zoom in on a moment.
Where are you?
What are you doing?
What are you hearing or feeling?
That’s what makes stories unforgettable.
If you want to learn how to tell unforgettable stories, check out the next blog where I share my favorite storytelling techniques.
See you there. 🎤
Enjoy.
P.S. Want to become a stronger communicator?
Here are two ways I can support you:
👉 Want to tell more engaging stories? Join our next Storytelling Workshop.
👉 Want to speak with confidence and clarity? Check out our Communication Skills Training.
Both are fun, practical, and designed to help you grow fast.
Are you ready to transform your storytelling skills?
Discover how your storytelling skills score and uncover useful insights to help you become a charismatic storyteller:
