How to command instant attention
By Harry Mills
As an orator, Winston Churchill has no equal. How did Churchill begin his first speech as prime minister, on 10 May 1940?
"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."
Dynamic speakers start strongly. You get just 30 seconds to make a powerful first impression, so it is critical you practice your opening until it's word perfect.
A dynamic opening serves three functions. It has to:
- Grab the audience's attention
The opening must hook the audience into listening.
- Provide reasons for listening
This is where you explain to your listeners the benefits of listening - what's in if for them. This is the most critical part of persuasion.
- Describe what you'll talk about
This is where you provide a quick overview of your main points.
Here are some additional tips:
- Tell the audience how long you're planning to talk
People always appreciate this information.
- Hook your audience with a:
- Vivid quotation
- Humorous anecdote or joke
- Disturbing question
- Startling statistic or fact
- Personal experience or story
- Provocative visual aid or prop.
- Don't weaken or destroy your opening by:
- Explaining how you hate speaking in public
- Repeating information from the introduction
- Starting with, "Before I begin".
- Finally, tell the audience where you plan to take them
People like to know where they are headed.
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