Five ways to start and finish your speech for maximum impact

Picture this: You’re introducing Ben, who is giving a talk about exercise. You say,

“Ben will speak to us today about the benefits of exercise."

And how does Ben start?

“Hi, I’m Ben and today I am going to talk to you about the benefits of exercise.”

Sound familiar? In my public speaking courses, I see this happen constantly – even when I warn the group in advance! I understand why. When your heart is racing and your palms are sweating, repeating the introduction feels safe. But it is a weak start that tells the audience what they already know.
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A great opening to your speech or presentation will capture the audience’s attention. A great closing will leave your audience thinking about what you have said long after you finish. Most presentations fail to do either!

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