How do I start? - the most important part!

Wait until the room is quiet enough, even if this may take a while. Then speak loudly enough even for those with hearing problems. Use a microphone if necessary.

Start like a two-stage rocket. First, make a few comments so that people will understand that you have begun and can adjust to your voice and volume, take a look at you, etc.

Make it obvious that this is not the real start by saying something like:

Before I start I'd like to say a few words about note-taking.
I've brought along 10 typewritten pages of notes.
This is probably more than you would have written.
So, everything is taken care of and you don't have to take notes during my presentation!

You probably shouldn't say much more than this. Saying this much takes less than fifteen seconds. That's reasonable. But your comments still have to be meaningful and relevant, not just empty phrases or obvious observations.

Another option is to start with simple greetings or introductory phrases such as:
Ladies and gentlemen ... Ms. Speaker ... etc.
Even if you are just going to make short comment or respond to a comment,
make sure to start slowly enough so that the audience will be able to "notice who you are."

If your accent or intonation makes people wonder where you come from, tell them. If something about you attracts attention – satisfy the audience's curiosity. (Example!)

After the "first stage", it's time for the real start. Make this obvious! With Headlining you are supposed to start with the headline and give a teaser about the content. One of the very best ways to start is to say "The bottom line is..." Then your listeners will understand that they are just about to learn what it's all about. Then it will be easier to listen.

Even if you won't have a manuscript, it's a good idea to have your first sentence written down. This doesn't mean that you have to read it, but having it written down helps against stage fright. And it helps keep you from starting with the Logical-Historical Model. There is almost no chance that you'll begin like this:

The bottom line is that our company was founded in a small town outside of Indianapolis. After two years we moved to Cincinnati. (Don't sound like this!)

Of course you shouldn't start every presentation with the same words; just say "The Bottom Line is" to yourself – and then continue aloud.

The bottom line is the final one – what people listening to a presentation by the Logical-Historical Model have to wait until the end to find out. The term originated in financial presentations – the money you end up making (or losing), after all costs are included.

Start directly, instead of first telling your audience what you are going to cover or how much time you are going to devote to different subtopics. This is OK for the Logical-Historical Model, but not for Headlining.

Don't start with a well-known quote. People are there to listen to you. Quotes make people's thoughts wander. Referring to a current topic can seem like a good idea – but is also risky. Maybe your audience hasn't read the newspaper or seen the TV news, or maybe they're not as well informed as you .....

Don't start by repeating what the previous speaker said during the last hour. Your audience should know this, unless the speaker was a total failure. On the other hand, you can say that you will continue where the previous speaker ended. And then, bring up a question. The one you believe the audience is most interested in at that moment.

Ed Wohlmuth, author of The Overnight Guide to Public Speaking
recommends that a speaker give the audience clear signals:

"I will not waste your time

I know who you are

I am well organized

I know my subject

Here is my most important point!"

Your listeners should first get an answer to the question: Why should I listen to this? Especially if they have low expectations about your presentation.

You have to demonstrate that it will be worth their time to listen to you!

Gunnel Rende, author of Tala bättre (Speak better), writes:

"In his or her presentation, a speaker will ideally
give the listener a sense of 'Aha! Now I understand!'
I've heard speakers who can give their listeners wonderful feelings.
It doesn't happen often, but what precious memories when it does."

And finally, another warning! Don't start by asking the audience who they are. You should know ahead of time. Only when you are forced to speak extemporaneously or unexpectedly is it all right to ask this question.

When you prepare your summarizing sentence, it's wise to use pen and paper. Your first version can probably be revised and become even more concentrated. Write and re-write until you feel that you have captured the essence and excluded all the extras.

Your first sentence should reveal the content, giving the listener and reader a clear idea or at least an indication of what you have to say. This is followed by more depth and detail about the content. Thanks to your dialogue with the audience, they can decide how much depth or detail they want.

___________

Her's a number of examples of what you might say after "The bottom line is..."
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Copyright © Bengt Hemlin 2002