Let’s turn our attention to those first words for your presentation.

1. The audience has given you their time. But their attention is something you have to earn.

2. The only way you get them thinking and participating is to seize their attention, to grab them.

3. Questions are good grabbers. So are quotes. Personal observations and anecdotes work. Attention getting facts and numbers capture people.

 Be sure to watch our English Speech Tips videos and Accent Reduction Tip videos  for more English pronunciation and accent reduction exercise.

For your weekly dose of clear English coaching, we have a weekly speech tip video below. Do you want to know a brilliant tactic for pausing at the beginning of a presentation?

1. Brilliantly effective is this: When you are first introduced, upon arriving at the podium or your location of delivery, take a break, wait a beat. Scan the room for about five seconds, eyeball to eyeball. Choose a friendly face or two. Smile.

2. Then deliver your grabber opening—eyeball to eyeball—without notes.

3. This will engage your audience. It will involve them. It will help separate people from their own concerns and immerse them in yours.

Rerun from 07/22/2013