Hooking Your Audience: 7 Captivating Ways to Start a Speech
Getting off to a strong start is critical when giving a speech. Those opening moments set the tone and make a vital first impression on your audience. Whether speaking at a wedding, presenting at work or teaching a class, an impactful speech introduction grabs people’s attention right away.
Follow these proven tips to craft a memorable opening that hooks your listeners and sets you up for speaking success.
- Thank the Organizer and Audience
This warm gracious opening builds instant rapport with your audience. Thank the person who introduced you by name. Express your appreciation to the organizers for the speaking opportunity. Welcome the audience and thank them for attending.
This shows your genuine excitement to speak as well as respect for those present. It’s a simple but effective way to start strong.
- Quote a Relevant Expert
Citing a short, impactful quote from someone influential grabs interest. Choose a leader in the field or a cultural icon like Gandhi, Maya Angelou or Albert Einstein. Select a brief quote that relates to your speech topic.
Introduce the person quoted and provide context for when and why they said it This quickly engages listeners by lending outside credibility before your content begins,
- Reference Current Events
Connecting your remarks to a recent news event or cultural phenomenon makes your speech timely. Briefly mention a major headline, viral meme or important occasion and relate it to your message. This captures attention with familiar references and shows the real-world relevance of your content.
- Share an Intriguing Fact or Statistic
Opening with an alarming fact, crazy statistic or thought-provoking data point engages audiences Look for a compelling figure that relates to your subject and ensures people want to hear more.
For instance, a speech on sustainable food systems could start with, “Did you know that globally, a third of food is wasted from farm to fork?”
- Begin with a Strong, Bold Statement
Grab their focus right away with a striking opening line. Declare an overriding truth related to your topic: “All leaders face adversity.” Ask a compelling question like, “What if you could unlock your greatest potential?” Make a provocative statement to open minds: “Technology doesn’t control us. We control technology.”
This captures curiosity, primes the audience to listen closely and recognizes their existing perspectives.
- Share a Relevant Personal Anecdote
Recounting a brief, engaging story from your life offers a humanizing start. Choose a personal experience that leads directly into the crux of your speech. Limit details so the full story logically unfolds later.
Give just enough background to land your point before elaborating further. This approach makes you instantly relatable.
- Insert Humor
Beginning with clean, gentle humor relaxes the audience. Tell a quick joke or amusing anecdote related to your topic. Poke fun at yourself to appear down-to-earth. Just be sure humor is appropriate for the occasion.
Make it clear the serious content is coming so jokes don’t set the wrong tone long-term. Laughter makes listeners receptive.
What to Avoid When Starting a Speech
On the flip side, these approaches often backfire and should generally be avoided:
- Beginning with a rambling story that bores listeners
- Opening with profanity or off-color humor
- Making controversial political statements
- Attacking or shaming audience members for views
- Discussing topics irrelevant to the speech focus
- Apologizing unnecessarily or highlighting nerves
- Referencing overly complex concepts or details
The audience judges a speech in seconds. Slip-ups later on can be forgiven, but early mistakes make recovery difficult. Stay away from proven openers that may alienate listeners or detract focus from your message.
Additional Tips for Opening a Speech Strong
Keep these key tips in mind to nail your introduction:
-
Practice out loud to polish delivery. Record yourself and solicit feedback.
-
Memorize your first 1-2 minutes completely to minimize nerves.
-
Make eye contact and smile to connect with the audience.
-
Slow down your speaking pace, enunciate clearly and project your voice.
-
Avoid filler words like “um” and “uh” which sound uncertain.
-
Take a deep breath and pause briefly before starting. And remember to breathe!
The audience is rooting for you, so focus on them rather than your own worries. Avoid apologizing or pointing out fear. You’ve prepared, so start confidently.
An impactful opening draws people in, smooths initial jitters and sets the right tone. Spend time crafting a memorable beginning that hooks listeners immediately. Follow the guidelines shared here to kick off your speech on the best footing possible.
You have the opportunity to educate and inspire. Grab it from the first words by engaging your audience members as eager partners in the journey ahead.
Set the scene when you start your presentation
You want to get to the point in your first line. Don’t be vague and imprecise; be clear and full of impact. Think of stating a news headline: your opening should be short and precise. It should summarise the story and leave you wanting to know more.
Do something unexpected when you start a speech
Will your audience have certain expectations about you or your talk, before you begin?
In this case, start with something unexpected – or even shocking – to make them reconsider their preconceived ideas. The way you do this needs to be relevant to avoid being gimmicky. When done well, it can be memorable, potentially humorous and even remarkable – with audience members sharing and reliving their reactions afterwards. Perhaps your presentation skills coach can help find a way for your talk to stand out?
Watch this technique in action: Our final example is Mohammed Qahtani, the winner of the 2015 Toastmasters Championship. Watch how he starts his thought provoking speech on the power of words.
Of course, most people who speak well will have worked with a coach at some point. If you need help choosing a great public speaking coach, read our guide to choosing a public speaking coach
How to Start a Speech
How to start a speech?
When you think about how to start a speech, imagine laying down a solid foundation that piques people’s curiosity and interest from the get-go. This initial step is crucial as it sets the mood for your entire presentation and ensures your audience stays engaged and interested in hearing more.
How to make a good speech?
Humor can be an excellent way to break the ice and grab your audience’s attention. Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience.
How do you start a speech with a famous quote?
One method of starting a speech and gaining the audience’s attention is to use a famous or relatable quote. This approach can give your audience context for your topic and connect it to something they recognize. For instance, if you plan to give a speech on a political topic, you might use a famous quote about your speech’s subject.
How do you start a speech with a joke?
Opening your speech with a funny story or a joke can make a memorable first impression. Just be sure to keep it relevant to your topic and audience. A good joke can set a light-hearted tone, lead into the importance of effective time management, and get your audience engaged from the start.
