In this post and video we show you how to open your presentation like a professional in 6 steps. This will help you get over your fear of starting your presentation and really feel confident that you can give an effective presentation on any topic.
Enjoy the video
A common question
One of the most common questions I get asked when helping people present is “How can I open my presentation?”
The opening of your presentation doesn’t need to be a stressful moment, opening your presentation strongly will help you to achieve a a professional sounding presentation.
How to achieve a professional opening to every presentation in 6 steps
These are the 6 steps to opening your presentation:
- Greetings
- Compliments
- Name
- Position
- Purpose Statement
- Signpost
Let’s look at each one:
1. Greeting
Good morning/afternoon/evening
2. Compliments
Thank you for coming today, it’s great to see you all here.
3. Name
My name is Liam Lusk, please call me Liam
4. Position
I am the project manager for the Acme building project.
5. Purpose Statement
Today we are going to look at the proposed building schedule for the Acme building project.
6. Signpost
First we will look at the proposed schedule, next we will look at ways of improving the schedule, finally you will hear three strategies we can consider. We hope this will help you see the key points we need to keep in mind as we evaluate the benefits and risks of this project.
Now let’s put that altogether:
“Good morning, thank you for coming today, it’s great to see you all here. My name is Liam Lusk, please call me Liam. I am the project manager for the Acme building project. Today we are going to look at the proposed building schedule for the Acme building project. First we will look at the proposed schedule, next we will look at ways of improving the schedule, finally you will hear three strategies we can consider. We hope this will help you see the key points we need to keep in mind as we evaluate the benefits and risks of this project.”
Make a habit of starting your presentations this way and you will sound great in every presentation you do.
Thanks
Liam
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes, I did the same steps as you have stated the points above and I guess my presentation was sound great because the audience on that days were looking at me and called up the words “” Superb and Unbelievable”". I am very much thankful to you for this presentation tips. I will also like to see some more new articles in the near future. Thanks.
Yes, I did the same steps as you have stated the points above and I guess my presentation was sound great because the audience on that days were looking at me and called up the words “” Superb and Unbelievable”". I am very much thankful to you for this presentation tips. I will also like to see some more new articles in the near future. Thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and success. And thank you for giving us the opportunity to help you in some way. We look forward to many more successes for you.
Thank you so much for helping me and giving an opportunity to contact with you. I really feel confident that I can give an effective presentation on any topic. I want some tips regarding the body language during the presentation. I await your response.
English is my second language. For me, my writing is better than my oral speaking. Several words that I can write them are difficult for me to spell them. This problem influences the quality of my presentation. Could you give me some tips to circumvent this problem?
Hi Edgar,
Thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment. Sorry I didn’t reply earlier… on the weekend I try to stay away from the computer
The best answer for you is to practice by recording the words into a dictation program. I think MS Windows 7 comes with a dictation application. If you use a smartphone, there’s something called Dragon Dictate, I think that’s the name… Anyway, what you do is say your words into the dictation program. If it recognizes the word and spells it correctly, then success! If not, keep practicing until the software recognizes your pronunciation.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the best.
Carl
Hello cmszhy
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment on the site.
In answer to your question “Could you give me some tips to circumvent this problem?” I would suggest that you keep your wording very simple. It’s a common mistake for people to over complicate a presentation.
Remember your audience are there because they need some kind of knowledge from your presentation, if you use complicated language they may get confused.
Check out this earlier post Why is a Steve Jobs presentation so great by Carl to get some inspiration.
All the best
Liam
Thanks for your instruction. I want to know how to begin the body of the presentation after the opening. Could you give some suggestions? I always like to read the sub-titles, but it is not clear and vivid.
Hello cmszhy
As with the opening of a presentation it is important to keep the language simple even in the body. This will also make it easier if English is your second language.
I would suggest watching a video that Carl made for an earlier post again. Click on this link ‘How to start, stop, and transition between a presentation’s topics’
Follow what Carl suggests in the video and you will be able to begin the body of your presentation effectively.
Good luck
Liam
Hi Edgar,
As a follow-up to mine and Liam’s suggestions… What kind of presentation are you giving? Depending on the presentation, the goal, and the audience, there are several ways for you to begin the body. You could tell a story, present a fact, ask a question, etc. It’s going to depend a lot on what your audience wants to hear and the best thing that will get their attention and maintain it.
Thanks.
Carl
Carl, I need to make a 5 minute presentation to a church in which I manage their endowment fund. Most of the speech will be talking about myself which is where in need help. I tend to get very nervous and forget what to say and what I’ve already said during my speech. I would like as much help as I can get before this event. Talking about investments which is the short portion of this speech I should be fine with. Starting and talking about myself are very hard for me. Thanks for any help.
Trent
Hi Trent,
Thanks for the message. Sounds like a very important speech you got lined up. If it’s 5 minutes and the investments are the short portion, how long will you be talking about the endowment fund and how long will you need to talk about yourself? Who is going to be in the audience? Are they people you know or people you don’t know at all? That’s going to make a big difference. And how much time do you have to prepare for this?
The most important thing is getting a clear picture of who you’re speaking to. I would tell a story about you and the church that the audience can relate to. Perhaps something about how you ended up managing the fund. Or maybe how you ended up in the career you’re in… Was it something you always wanted to do or did you somehow fall into it?
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned in your life? Perhaps talk about how something or someone has influenced you. Maybe you can bring a prop, like a trophy or something that has a special meaning to you and then tell the story about it.
I think they’ll want to hear about how you came to be who you are, rather than a review of your resume. It’d be far more interesting, memorable, and would give them a better idea of who you are.
Of course, time isn’t on your side with only 5 minutes. You’ll definitely need to practice to get the timing down right.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Good luck!
Carl
Dear Liam and Carl,
Many thanks for your suggestions. I have done an excellent presentation in terms of your instruction. During the presentation, I used very simple words to explain my thoughts clearly. And I adopted your stategies of starting and ending a presentation. A really good result has been achieved, avoiding my limitation of second language.
I am really apprecited your invaluable help!
My best regards.
cmszhy
Hello cmszhy
It’s great to hear that your presentation went well.
We may give the suggestions but it is your hard work that achieves the result. Thank you for sharing your experience with others on Presentation Expressions. You have shown that although English is not your first language it is still possible to give a great presentation.
Keep in touch
Liam
thx q dear for ur sharing, i think it will be good for all friends around the world. I’m from Cambodia.
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
It’s great to hear from people around the world.
Liam
English is my second language. I would become neverous in front of the strangers although I can present my topic well in front of my friends. Is there any effective way to improve it?
Hi Winnie
Thank you for your question.
Everybody can get nervous in front of strangers but there is a secret. If you have practiced your presentation enough and you really know your content then you will be able to overcome your fear.
When you practice video yourself on your smart phone or digital camera – this can really help.
You can do it
Liam
Thnx For HELP I GOT FULL MARKS FOR MY PRESENTATION.
i want to make a presentation on cv writing, pls can you help me because its my first time
i have to make a presentation on cv writing and this is my first time, pls i need your help
Wel thank you very much for the forum ,it is academically nutricious.Your presentation tips were helpful to me and they will go a long way in achieving my dream.I greatly appreciate yr talent.Thnk y.
Hi!
My company is hosting an opportunity meeting this weekend and I was appointed to present the 1st presenter. I am a little nervous- Can you help with with how I should begin?
THANKS!
Hi,
Not sure if this is a question for Liam only, but I have two videos about this:
How to introduce the next speaker in a group presentation
How to Introduce Another Speaker in 3 Steps
wow! i tried this method and i instantly felt confident throughout my presentation and i got good comments from my lecturer for today’s presentation! but of course preparation was definitely a must for the other parts of the presentation! still Thanks for the tips!!
Hi Shema,
Thank you! So happy to hear you applied what you learned here.
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