How do you jumpstart your presentation?

2 Quick Ways to add punch to any presentation.

"Good Morning!
It's great to be here.
What wonderful weather we are having. 
In today's seminar you are going to learn......"
Yuck, Yuck, Yuck and Yuck!

Have you been to presentations that started like that?
How many presentations have you started like that?
Good Morning? What if my kids kept me up all night and I haven't had coffee yet? You may be too perky for the audience to relate to.
It's great to be here? What if I'm here because the boss made me attend your presentation as punishment? I could be attending your sales presentation as a favor to my cousin-in-law. I might hate you already.
What wonderful weather we are having. I was just in it! I didn't show up for a weather report.
In today's seminar you are going to learn... LEARN? That's Work!!


There are really only 2 ways you should open a speech or presentation.
1. Start with a BANG!!
According to Darren LaCroix, the 2001 World champion of Public Speaking, one way is to begin your presentation like they begin the TV show CSI. There are bodies and clues all over the place, you don't really know whats going on, but the scene is so interesting, you are willing to wait through the commercials to find out. Some of you movie buffs might relate this concept to the beginning of all James Bond movies. You never know what is really happening, but you quickly commit to the ride.
You need to drop the audience right in the middle of your boat, hand them an oar, and let them help row.

2. "You" based questions
Have you seen a speaker that made you feel like they were talking just to you?
How likely were you to buy into their presentation as a result?
Have you ever wondered how they did that?
Too many sales meetings begin with a manager walking out," When I had your job, I was the top salesperson in the region in 60 days. I was president's club 11 years in a row. I've done what you do, so I know what it takes. 
Guess what Bossman......I hate You! 
I cringe at that last example, because I WAS that sales manager. I didn't become a good sales manager until the focus of my meetings went from being about what I had accomplished..... to what was in it for my audience, my sales team. 
I did it by involving the emotion of my teammates by asking "you" based questions. No 2 people have the same experiences, but we all have the same emotions. 1999 World Champion Craig Valentine calls the concept Tap And Transfer. Tap into your audiences emotions through YOU based questions and then transfer them into your story.
If I had that same sales team today, my opening line would be more along the lines of," What would you do with 500 extra dollars? Have you ever wondered what its like to be in the President's Club? Today you're going to take with you 2 simple methods to make both of those things happen."
Sound Better?
You can learn more about these techniques at a fundraiser for my trip to the World Championships of Public Speaking we are throwing on August 8th 7-9 at the Petaluma Community Center. Admission is 20.00 and if you bring a speech or a sales presentation, you may win a speech makeover. You can also just donate at http://gofundme.com/shyesthero


Preferences§1234567890-=BackspaceTabqwertyuiop[]Returncapslockasdfghjkl;'shift`zxcvbnm,./shiftEnglishDeutschEspañolFrançaisItalianoPortuguêsРусскийalt altPreferences