Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Preparation
• Method 2 of 3: Introduction
• Method 3 of 3: Using the right words and tone of voice
• Tips

You only get one chance to create a great first impression, which is very important during your presentation. Your goal is to grab the attention of your audience, establish your credibility, and gain the trust of your audience. The tips in this article will help you start your presentation on the right foot. Read this article and you will not disappoint your listeners.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Preparation

1. 1 Keep your back straight. Rest assured. Straighten your shoulders and straighten your back before going out to the audience. Slouching can help your listeners perceive you as insecure. Stand up straight, watch your posture. With this done, you can begin your presentation.
2. 2 Prepare notes and other materials. If you have everything well organized, you will not get lost during the performance. Before you start your presentation, you should take a moment to lay out all the necessary materials. Make sure you have on hand something that will be useful to you during the presentation.
3. 3 Maintain eye contact with your audience. Making eye contact during your presentation will make you look more confident. Before you start your presentation, you should make eye contact with someone and hold it for a few seconds. Remember to maintain eye contact with your audience while speaking.
4. 4 Start out of the ordinary. One of the most boring ways to start a presentation is to introduce yourself. If you want listeners to know your name, you can wear your name badge or write it at the top of the handout you will give out to the audience.Don't start off like this: "Good morning. My name is ..."
5. 5 Get straight to the point. Perhaps you want to start your talk with something that is not relevant to the topic. However, don't do this, your audience will lose interest. The listeners want to hear what they came for. Start your presentation so that you don't lose the audience's attention.

Method 2 of 3: Introduction

1. 1 Tell me a story. Stories are one of the best ways to grab the attention of your audience, as we all love good stories. You can bring up a story from your life, an anecdote related to the topic of your presentation, or something similar. Tell the story for no more than 90 seconds, and then you can continue your presentation.
2. 2 Ask the audience a question. Engage your audience right from the start, and they'll be happy to listen to you throughout your presentation. Let the audience participate in the discussion. Ask a question that your audience can answer. You may want to ask a rhetorical question to encourage reflection and prepare them for the material that follows.
3. 3 Say something that will surprise your listeners. A shocking statistic or surprising fact will interest your listeners and they will listen to you with great interest. You must engage your audience within the first 15 seconds. If you give facts or statistics, be honest. Do not surprise listeners with false information.
4. 4 Please provide a quote. At the beginning of your presentation, you can quote a famous or influential person. A well-chosen quote can grab the attention of your audience as well as validate your credibility. Just make sure the quote you choose is relevant to your topic. Don't choose a quote just because you like it.
5. 5 Use visual aids. Visual aids can help you keep the audience's attention. Choose images that are relevant to your presentation. Perhaps visual aids will symbolically underline your theme. Remember that your goal is not just to entertain the audience, but to help the audience understand the topic. Use visual aids that will interest your audience and help them understand your presentation better.
   • Instead of images, you can use items that are related to your theme.
   • You can also use the video footage to start your presentation. Just make sure the video doesn't take too long. Otherwise, you will not have enough time to present your material.

Method 3 of 3: Using the right words and tone of voice

1. 1 Be careful with your choice of words. Do not use the following phrases: "I think that," "In my opinion," "Looks like" and other similar statements. Listeners will not perceive you as a confident person. Instead, refer to reputable sources.
2. 2 Ask questions. Do not ask questions that will not be of interest to the audience. You can start the discussion with a few questions, but don't overdo it. Ask logical questions that will interest your audience.
3. 3 Lower your tone of voice at the end of the sentence. Raise your tone of voice when asking a question. Otherwise, your listeners may think that you are not confident in your words. Therefore, pronounce the second part of the sentence in a lower tone of voice. This will help your audience to perceive you as a confident person.

Tips

• Take a glass of water with you in case your mouth becomes dry and unable to speak. You can take a bottle of water, but a glass is better, since you don't have to fiddle with the lid.