8 Most Effective Ways To Start a Speech

If you a schedule to speak to an audience, there is one question that always comes to mind. How do I begin? or better What is the most effective way to start?  This is true for both professional speakers and beginners.

When the moderator’s introduction ends, and you hear your name. When you walk to take center stage. When the room goes silent and when all eyes are on you. What do you want your first words to be?  How do you make a great first impression? These are very important questions to ask.

Why is this important? Why do you have to think about how you start your speech? There are three primary reasons.

Memorability.

The primacy and recency effect, also called the Serial-position effect, reminds us that there is a cognitive bias on how humans remember a series of events. We favor the beginning and the end over the middle. In this case, the introduction and conclusion of a speech are more likely to be remembered by an audience. And so, since a major quality of a good speech is its memorability, a speaker should strive to make the introduction of a speech as impactful and memorable as possible.

Grab Attention

What is the essence of speaking if no one is paying attention? Your introduction can either make your audience want to hear more of what you have to say or, sadly, make them look for the closest exit or the closest distraction. The bottom line is that you want to grab the attention of your audience from the very start, therefore the need to start strong.

Set The Tone

If you are new to the audience, they could like or dislike you based on your introduction. And so, your introduction can ultimately affect how they listen to the rest of your speech. Also, depending on how you start, the message of the entire speech could be anchored to the opening. For example, if you use a story in the introduction, every main point highlighted in the speech can point back to the story.

Now that you know the importance of the introduction of a speech, I will show you eight of the most effective ways to start a speech, that would make it memorable, grab the attention of the audience and make them like you.

1. Open with a problem

This is one very powerful way to start a speech. According to research, humans have the innate desire to help. When you call the audience’s attention to a problem, you draw them into your speech. This is particularly important for persuasive speeches. In this case you open with a problem, walk through possible solutions and give a call to action to accept or support solution.

Opening with a problem can involve the use of several other opening techniques that are discoursed below. You could paint a horrifying picture with statistics. For example, this was how I open a speech I titled “Help! I am homeless.”

“In 2014, it was reported by The Economist that over 578,424 Americans were homeless. This is a number that equals about 10 full Soldier Field stadiums. This means, why we’re tucked away in the comfort of our warm bed, in the coziness of our room and in the privacy of our home, there are 578,424 Americans on the streets, without a bed, in the cold of winter, exposed to the dangers of the night.”   

You can also refer to a current even or tell a story to show a problem.

Some of the greatest speeches of all time had an opening that highlighted a problem.

2. Start with a quote

You can also start your speech with a quote. But note that when you start with a quote, make sure it adds meaning to your speech. To make your quote effective as an opener, think of the following:

Use a popular quote that is relatable.

Consider a quote by a well-known personality.

Make sure it is a quote with a significant meaning.

Your opening will be weak if you use a quote the falls outside these categories.

3. Use a Prop/Visual

When you say the words, “I have in my hands…” or “Right here is…”, especially when the object was initially concealed, you get the full attention of everybody. The human desire for knowledge kicks in. This approach gives you the time and opportunity to unpack your opening message. But in those moments when you have the attention of the audience, ensure you do justice with how you unveil and present the prop. Using a prop is a very effective way to start your speech.

4. Ask a question

When you start your speech with a question, you engage your audience mentally and physically. When you ask a question, two things happen. One, you engage the mind of everybody under the sound of your voice, by giving them a reason to think. Two, you invite them to engage in your speech by answering your question either by word of mouth or a show of hands. This is one of the most effective ways to start a speech.

5. Refer to a current event

When you refer to a current or recent event, you engage your audience. This could have a little downside. You could lose some of your audience members to self-absorbed thoughts about the event referenced. To minimize the possibility of this happening, you must try to make the messages that come after as engaging as possible.   

6. Make a bold statement

A bold statement can fall into several categories. For example, mention a big idea or state a big claim. You could say, “in the next 20 years, 5% humanity would live on Mars” or “What I am about to share with you will change your life.”

When you make bold statements like these, you make your audience think, and you also raise the stake by increasing the expectations of your audience. So, you must be ready to unpack valuable content throughout your speech to validate your opening statement.

7. Humor

There is nothing like making your audience have a good laugh before leading them to the main subject of your speech. Making your audience laugh, make them feel more comfortable and relaxed. It increases your likeability and makes them more open to listening.  

8. Cite a recent conversation

Mention a conversation you had with someone familiar to the audience or someone who is part of the audience. For example:

“Just before I walked up to this stage, I met Cynthia, a mother of two lovely daughters. I was moved to tears as she told me about her long struggle with cancer.”

Statements like this show the audience that you are relatable. This method is common with politicians. They do this to increase their connection with the audience.     

The most effective ways to start a speech. Now you know that starting a speech is not just some random process; It is a deliberate and solid part of a speech structure. It is strategic. Make sure you use any of the strategies above (when appropriate) to start your speech. If you do, you are guaranteed a memorable introduction. One that grabs the attention of your audience and makes them like you.

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