A strong presentation begins with a memorable opening. Many speakers underestimate how crucial the first minute is, yet neuroscience and communication research show that audiences form strong opinions very early on. To master your opening you must connect with your audience emotionally and intellectually.

Begin with a story that resonates with your audience, or a startling statistic that challenges their assumptions. Use language that draws the audience into a question or scenario they care about.

Avoid generic “Today I will talk about…” phrases. When you start with an anecdote or real-life example you humanise your topic immediately, making your message more relatable.

Your opening should also establish what the audience should expect and why it matters to them. Clarity early on builds trust and keeps attention anchored. Poor openings often lead to wandering attention or loss of credibility. To practice strong openings try recording your first minute, listen back and ask whether it would grab someone who didn’t know the content. With repeated refinement you will learn what works in your style.

If you really want to elevate your opening, consider specialist training to refine delivery, message framing and audience connection. For more guidance on improving presentation skills through professional coaching visit https://www.presenterstudio.com/business-presenter-training/presentation-skills-training