Chapter 1 of 66 min
Open with purpose
The first thirty seconds decide whether the audience leans in. Open with why this matters to them, not with an agenda or an apology.
Key ideas
- Lead with relevance to the audience.
- A striking fact, question or short story earns attention.
- State what they will gain by the end.
Step by step
- 1
Write the single outcome you want from the talk.
- 2
Choose an opening hook: a fact, a question or a thirty-second story.
- 3
Connect the hook to the audience's priorities.
- 4
Preview the two or three points you will cover.
Example
Instead of 'Today I will talk about safety', a speaker opens: 'Last year, three of our near-misses happened in the same ten minutes of the shift handover.'
Your drill
Write and rehearse three alternative openings for your next talk and choose the strongest.
Common mistakes
- Opening with apologies or technical setup.
- Reading the agenda slide aloud.
Check yourself
What should the opening connect to?
Show the answer
What the audience cares about and why the topic matters to them.
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