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

Oh my goodness, I'm so nervous. These lights are so bright. Is there a microphone on? Is there even a microphone? Opening a speech is really stressful. Nothing is worse than going on stage and not knowing what to say, or worse, saying something really awkward. You can see my hands shaking. Hello Chicago, Oh Hughes, we're in Houston, hello Houston. I'm going to give you the best and worst speech openers for your next presentation pitch speech or toast. Let's start with the worst ways to open. I hear these speeches all the time.

Technical there are a lot of people here, so I should start by saying that I am not a great public speaker. Many people think it's vulnerable or honest to start with how nervous they are, but the moment you mention your nervousness, you make your audience nervous and they will start looking for all the signs of your nervousness. Wow, these lights are so bright. Is my microphone on? Do your friends do a tech check or arrive a little early? If you call attention to something not working, that's all your aud it's a huge nerve-racking wave that you start from the stage.

Never give me a halfhearted welcome. Thank you for having me. It's great to be here. I appreciate your introduction. Don't start with a dull politeness or, worse, say something kind but not sincere. I can't even begin to count how many times I've witnessed someone take the stage and declare, "I'm so happy to be here," while simultaneously wearing a very depressed expression. Fake, Fake, Fake The only exception to this rule is if you can make it amusing, like the incredible Ken Robinson, who began his speech with a dull politeness before turning it into a comedy. Let's watch Good Morning, How Are You? How Have You Been?

After discussing the worst methods to begin a speech, let's move on to the best speech opener suggestion, which is to use stories. This is fantastic, isn't it? I've been so impressed by the entire thing that I'm actually leaving. We all go through difficult times in life, and I experienced one in 2013 when my marriage had just ended and I was humiliated by that failed commitment. There is nothing better than starting a presentation with a story to capture the audience's interest and attention. Let's see how David Brooks hooks you in or immediately gets to the heart of it stories enable your audience to empathise with you.

Here are some movie snippets that you may utilise to begin your next speech with a story about a moment when you said, "I'm here for a reason," and it's a compelling tale. Speech opener idea number two—your big idea—was the nicest thing that has ever occurred to me. I adore it when presenters reveal their main idea up front; instead of making you wait, they go right in. Let's see how Stacy Smith begins her discussion by presenting her main point in an engaging manner. "Today, I want to tell you about a pressing social issue, and it's not nuclear arms, immigration, or malaria." I'm here to discuss films.

You're here for a reason, and the most crucial thing I want to convey with you today is a major concept. Here are some film blanks you can use to start your speech. The third speech opening is a humorous one-liner. If you dare, try opening your speech with something intriguing. Humour or curiosity is a great way to start a speech on a high note. Please get creative and think of an interesting fact about you, your audience, or your topic that can lead you into your content. I adore humour more than anyone else, and I can assure you that your audience will too. For instance,

In London, I gave my TED lecture. For example, I began with my eccentric one-liner, "Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I'm a recovering awkward person." You might also use an intriguing statistic or even a question to get the audience to watch some of these films. Did you know that it takes less than a second to make a first impression? Did you know that your nonverbal communication is 12.5 times more powerful than your words? Did you know that we are deceived 200 times every day? These are some fascinating facts that I start with when I conduct corporate workshops and trainings. You got it correctly.