How can you deliver an opening statement that commands attention?

In my experience, I have 3 key suggestions: 1. The Power of the Hook. You can begin with a compelling hook, for instance a shocking fact, a thought-provoking question, or an engaging story related to your topic. This immediate attention-grabber sets the stage for what follows. 2. Energize your delivery. Infuse your delivery with energy. Use varied tones, gestures, and movement to keep your audience engaged. Maintain strong eye contact to establish a connection and capture attention. 3. Structuring impact. Well, structure your opening to introduce the topic, emphasize its relevance, and offer a glimpse of what's to come. Keep it concise, relevant, and impactful to draw your audience into the core of your message. Good luck! :)

Commencing a speech effectively hinges on quickly establishing "relatability" with your audience. In the first minute, strategically employ narratives (stories, quotes, questions, facts, dramatics) that show you and your listeners feel the same way about the topic. This pivotal connection fosters an active interpretation of your persona, shaping the tone for a meaningful engagement.

Some way to get started is by a question. I found 'question' as an effective hook, to capture attention. Another way is by presenting a groundbreaking fact, to set the tone in a compelling manner.

Bringing the distracted minds of the audience & making them focus on what you have to say is an art. One of the ways which always worked for me personally was a short 1 minute activity which ensured I had their attention almost immediately. My activity: 1) I ask them to lift their right hand over their head and make a circle using their index finger and thumb 2) I then ask them to throw all their thoughts out as they perform step 3 3) Guide them to put the circle on their cheek while I put it under my chin Almost everyone gets fooled and they would keep the circular formation on their cheek, laughter is the outcome and then I lead a short discussion talking about how their mind works & the importance of active listening.

It is also good to determine the purpose of your opening statement itself. Do you want to shock the audience, give them something to think about, or do you just want them to get used to your voice? Anyway, it is good to use an opening statement to also end with, to make the circle "round".

You need to serve your audience, first and foremost! No matter how much you are eager to tell a story if it's not bringing value to this specific audience, skip it. Choose one that will resonate more with your audience which ultimately will have more impact.

Tailoring your opening statement to your audience is like finding the correct key for a lock - essential for capturing their attention and interest. Understand their interests, values, and expectations to craft an opening that deeply resonates. Connect by addressing a relatable startup challenge for young entrepreneurs. This captivates from the start and sets the tone for an engaged and receptive audience throughout your speech.

Always hook by putting the bottom line up. Frame the idea most interestingly with what would resonate with the audience and show them where you are taking them. Grab the attention by pinpointing at the very top. Don’t let the audience wonder where you’re going with rambling and generalities as time is money and attention is dwindling. Make every second count for them and from the get go.

The creative hook is the one referring to the previous presentation (if any). This shows you are attentive. If you are the first speaker, then refer to something the audience has noticed while they were waiting for your speech. For example if the curtains are green and your solution to the climate crisis are green investments, you can say: "Did you notice the colour of the curtains? They have a similarity to the climate solution I will speak about in the next 20 minutes."

In my experience, leading several youth leadership organizations, never underestimate the power of story-telling. People are usually hooked when you tell a story. They want to listen to the end. That is a true charm. Always tell your story.

Dispense with a build up and begin with a question. Lead with a well thought through question that immediately calls for engagement. Pause while people gather their thoughts before moving forward. This isn't shocking your audience but can be a provocative way to catch attention. Why did you come here today? Why would you buy your product? Is anyone really listening to you? When was the last time someone genuinely saw you? Who really cares about what is happening in ______?

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid! Dont look at impressing the audience, think what would you feel to be seated in the audience - put yourself in their shoes & plan your opening statement.

You start sharing your message as soon as you go to the stage. Not only when you're on it! You need to show confidence and enthusiasm from the get go. You show this by having a straight posture, by maintaining eye-contact and no fidgeting! I great tip given to me when addressing a full auditorium and still keep eye contact or at least the illusion of it, is to look people in the eye by following an M pattern. A second tip that works well is once you're on stage take a couple of seconds to just look at the audience. Silence commands attention! Don't be afraid of it.

Knowing your material, understanding the point you want to make, and really believing in what you're saying are key. If you are not enthusiastic in your delivery, speaking with confidence (not constantly referring to notes or your device), and making eye contact with your audience (looking up and out at them) you'll lose them. Be passionate. Passion doesn't mean loud or manic; however, it can mean communicating with intensity, emotion, and emphasis that builds or modulates as needed to keep the audience engaged (not worn out).

One of the most powerful tips I received was to be myself...just me...because each one of us is unique..you need not become someone else....the audience loves authenticity...one can easily connect and freely share what one intends to...Be a Natural!

Play a game! But a game with a message. Use a surprise element in the end, triggering emotions. The audience will remember this feeling, and get intrigued about the rest thus hooked on the rest of the presentation.

Respect the time of the audience, they must have rescheduled many a meeting personal/professional to be seated in the room to listen to you. Be thorough with respect to what you want the audience to carry away from your speech, as much as you are clear- so much can you influence them. Practice your speech properly, where you want to place the hook, where you intend to use humor, where you surprise them or shock them with facts, all of these have to be scripted and rehearsed. Not all speech needs to be scripted, in order to be original/natural its essential to show your human side, an error made, a pronunciation not uttered properly - will not ruin your talk - it will show that you are one of them...maybe its a smart way of connecting them.

It’s important to convey timeliness and relevance, so it’s good to start by immediately rooting your subject in the present and/or connecting to audience sentiment. Start with a story or context of current events, or a relatable or funny anecdote, and then expand from there to explain your thesis.

*Use your voice and body* Even the most beautifully crafted, relevant, powerful opening will not command attention if you don’t say it in a convincing way. Use effective, pace, pitch, melody, pause and volume to deliver your opening with emotion and power. Use your facial expressions, arms, hands, stance and entire presence to bring the message alive - to wake up your audience, get them thinking, feeling, leaning forward to hear more. To sit up and pay attention. Practice delivering your opening in a powerful appropriate way until it feels natural to you. This will also make you feel more confident as you get off to a great start.

Mostly there is a master of ceremony who will announce you (your profession, title, experience, the reason why you speak). Sometimes they ask you for an introduction text as well. Be sure to make your own, they may spoil it.