5 powerful ways to open a presentation _ slideshare blog.pdf

7/27/2019 5 Powerful Ways to Open a Presentation _ SlideShare Blog.pdf

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5 Powerful Ways to Open a PresentationBy Scott Schwertly (http://blog.slideshare.net/author/ethos3/) on July 22, 2013 | 17 Comments

(http://blog.slideshare.net/wp-

content/uploads/2013/07/frog-speech.jpg) Weve all been there before: staring at the glow of your

blank computer screen with no idea on how to open or start your talk. For starters, you should

never be staring at PowerPoint with no clear objective (thats a conversation for another day), butlets be honest, weve all struggled with the best ways to open a presentation.

Its time to get unstuck. Here are 5 powerful ways to open a presentation:

1. Use Silence

Most people wont be able to pull this off very easily, but if you are feeling like a rockstar during

your next presentation, opt for silence. Say a few words then be quiet. Say a few more words then

be quiet. Its a quick and easy way to own the room. Just make sure you can hold your composure.

2. Point to the Future or Past

I have two simple statements for you:

-Prospective (looking to the future):30 Years from now, your job wont exist.

-Retrospective (looking to the past):In 1970, Japan owned 9% of the market. Today, they own

37%.

The reality is that looking into the future or past always sparks engagement since thats where our

hearts live.
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3. Quote Someone

The easiest way to open a talk is simply to quote someone. Think about that last presenter you

heard when they opened their talk with a quote from Albert Einstein or Napoleon. A quote equals

instant credibility.

4. Share Something Extraordinary

I dont know about you, but I love Snapple. Even more so, I love their bottle caps since they always

share fun facts or extraordinary insight into ordinary things. Is my life going to be improvedbecause I know how many times a bees wings flaps in a second? No. Is it crazy interesting? Yes.

5. Tell a Story

Heres the amazing thing about stories: If your presentation is based solely on facts and stats then

your audience is going to react in one of two ways: 1) agree or 2) disagree. However, if you tell a

story, your audience will participate with you. Still not sold? Stories have been known to increase

audience retention by up to 26%.

So, what are you waiting for? Experiment. Try something new. Step outside your comfort zone.

Youll see some amazing results by trying any one of these techniques.

Scott Schwertly is the author ofHow to Be a Presentation God

(http://www.ethos3.com/presentation-god/) and CEO ofEthos3 (http://www.ethos3.com/), a

Nashville, TN-based presentation boutique providing professional presentation design and

training for national and international clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to branded

individuals like Guy Kawasaki.

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leads/)

How I Hacked SlideShare to Optimize Twitter (http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/17/how-i-hacked-slideshare-

to-optimize-twitter/)

View Sl ideShare on Flipboard (http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/15/view-slideshare-on-flipboard/)

17 Responses

to 5 Powerful Ways to Open a Presentation

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July 22nd, 2013 (http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-

to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-523382)

Putcha V. Narasimham (http://www.slideshare.net/putchavn)

Great.even seasoned presenters can benefit from it.
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It would be a good checklist for preparing ppts and presenting. Thanks



Carol Sanchez (http://porsche356thefirst.org/)

This was very helpful! I have to write different presentations for a lot of my classes, being

a science major its expected. Im going to experiment with this new information. Thank

you!



Google Adwords Strategist (http://about.me/jitendrashukla)

Nice Scott,

Its really nice tips for me, Im going to implement in Presentation.

thanks for sharing..

July 23rd, 2013 (http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-


Alan Smith (https://plus.google.com/u/0/106569978342145767329/about)

Very helpful tips.



Three Things To Say (http://www.ThreeThingsToSay.com)

Excellent have used all of these in the past without thinking about them so very helpful.

The silence is particularly powerful sometimes in the middle of a presentation too!

i remember starting a presentation once with Let me take you back to 1848 in a town not

50 miles from here.. At the same time I moved across the stage as if to show moving

back in time.. worked a treat and people commented afterwards about how it grabbed

their attention. Rest of the presentation was a bit boring to tell you the truth. HaHa

Thanks again

fajas para adelgazar (http://www.fajate.com.co/1-linea-femenia/17-lnea-elegance)
http://www.fajate.com.co/1-linea-femenia/17-lnea-elegancehttp://www.threethingstosay.com/http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-523406https://plus.google.com/u/0/106569978342145767329/abouthttp://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-523403http://about.me/jitendrashuklahttp://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-523402http://porsche356thefirst.org/http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-to-open-a-presentation/comment-page-1/#comment-523384


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Sincerely, thanks for the councils, is difficult to manage public and between nervousness

and build credibility, anything can happen, run out of voice, repeating the same idea,

choking with time travel. I think to maintain composure is the best advice based on

pauses and silences (you can relax and go gaining confidence)

July 24th, 2013 (http://blog.slideshare.net/2013/07/22/5-powerful-ways-


wisdom

Fantastic ideas!!! Tried no. 2 and it was really cool.

Thanks



Ajay Kumar Raman

Highly effective presentation ideas. Im going to use some of these in my presentations.



Bette Lou HIggins (http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org)

Great ideas! Another idea for the actual on-stage moment:

Save your PowerPoint as a SLIDE SHOW (.PPS or .PPSX or as a PDF show) so that the

prentation opens directly on your computer (and you dont have to have PowerPoint on

the computer to use it in case youre not using your own computer). Once youre on-

stage, dont make your audience look at SOFTWARE. They should come in and see your

first slide (which could be an advertisement of your upcoming attraction). Unless youre in

a classroom, the audience doesnt need to see computer clutter.

Have fun!



Christine Bearse (http://vbbadirect.com)

This couldnt come at better time for me. I love #2, perfect! Cant wait to try it out.
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B S Warrier

Fine hints which may be gainfully utilized

by any person making a presentation.

Many presenters who never take feedback

and learn from it continue to bore audiences.

Many thanks



Dennis

I like to use Gods. On each project I pick a theme set of gods (Greek, Roman, Egyptian,

etc.) and the opening slide features the god or goddess of whatever topic (or closest to)

we are talking about. Example: Working with Accounting people, I recently used Seshat the Egyptian Goddess of Accounting (one of the areas she covers) and manage to get an

image on-line.

I often use quotes as well.



johnlaity (http://www.fly2pole.com)

Use music or best a Video. Everyone will know to take their seat and be quiet.

Video is great as it can set the tone you want to achieve.



Dr Mohd Iqbal

Very good ideas that can be used gainfully and easy too.



Kevin K.

i had a professor that had a 5 minute timer that counted down, with a loud alarm going

off when time to start. Very effective at getting everyones attention at the same time.
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Fred Talbott

Superb advice. Excellent writing. The launch is the key. Then follow with compelling,

memorable storytelling that includes and involves every listener. Thanks Scott!



Franco

Wonderfull, Scott. Thank you.
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5 powerful ways to open a presentation _ slideshare blog.pdf

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