Let’s talk about the opening of a presentation. That moment when you're looking out at a sea of faces—virtual or not—and realize: Okay. I’m up.
This is one of the most overlooked parts of a presentation. And it’s also one of the most powerful.
Because right here, in the first 60 seconds, your audience is making decisions—fast. Do they trust you? Is this going to be worth listening to? Do they feel something? Curiosity, connection, even just a flicker of interest?
That’s what a great opening can do. It’s not just about grabbing attention—it’s about setting the tone for everything that comes next. It tells your audience: Hey, this matters. Stay with me.
And here’s the good news: there’s no one right way to open. There are many—and each one serves a different purpose depending on your style, your message, and your moment.
So let’s break down five ways to open a presentation—tools you can use to build energy, create clarity, and start strong.
Start with a Story
There’s a reason great speakers—and great teachers—reach for stories. Stories don’t just inform. They transport. They create instant connection because they activate empathy, curiosity, and relevance all at once.
But here’s the key: your story doesn’t have to be epic. It doesn’t have to involve some wild failure or billion-dollar deal or near-death experience. It just has to be specific. And it has to make a point.
A moment of doubt before a big decision. A conversation that changed how you saw something. A real situation your audience will recognize—because they’ve lived it too.
You want them thinking: That’s me. Or: I’ve never thought about it that way, but I get it now.
The best stories don’t just introduce you—they introduce the problem. They get the audience emotionally invested in the journey you’re about to take them on. And by the time the story ends, they’re already with you. You haven’t just opened your talk—you’ve opened a loop they want to see closed.
Use a Surprising Fact or Statistic
A well-chosen statistic can reset the room in seconds. It gives people something solid to react to—something unexpected, specific, and hard to ignore. That’s what makes it powerful. It doesn’t just inform; it creates a moment of friction. It makes the audience pause and think, Wait—really?
The impact depends on the stat you choose. Aim for one that challenges assumptions or sharpens the urgency behind your message. If you're giving a talk on employee retention, you might start with: “Over 50% of workers who quit last year never spoke to their manager about why.” That tells your audience something they didn’t know and immediately shows them why the topic matters.
A good stat doesn’t need backup dancers. One strong data point, delivered with clarity and a short pause, can shift how your audience sees the entire talk that follows.
Ask a Provocative Question
Starting with a question flips the dynamic right away. It tells your audience this isn’t just a download—it’s a conversation. The best opening questions aren’t surface-level. They get under the skin a little. They challenge assumptions or put the audience face-to-face with something they’ve probably felt but haven’t named.
For example, if you’re presenting a new initiative, you might open with: "What would it take for this team to actually be excited about changing the way we work?" Or if you're addressing an industry challenge: "Why are we still solving this the same way we did ten years ago?"
The goal isn’t to stump the audience. It’s to name the real question underneath the presentation—and then spend the rest of the time answering it.
Set Up a Problem
Sometimes the most effective way to start is by naming the problem directly. No backstory, no wind-up—just a clear-eyed look at the issue your audience is already facing.
When you start this way, you’re meeting people where they are. You’re showing them that you understand what’s hard, what’s messy, or what’s being ignored. And that earns attention fast. Because when the problem is real and familiar, people want to know where you're going with it.
This could sound like: "You’ve got a team full of smart people—and still, every project feels like a scramble at the finish line." Or: "We spend months building strategy decks that never actually change behavior."
This opens with clarity. And that clarity gives the rest of your presentation something to build on. Once the audience sees the problem, they’re more open to hearing the solution.
Use a Powerful Visual
Sometimes, a picture really is worth a thousand words. Starting with a striking visual—a powerful image, a short video clip, or even a compelling slide design—can captivate your audience instantly. Visuals can convey emotion, set the mood, and create an immediate impact that words alone might not achieve.
How to Choose the Right Technique
Each of these strategies works, but they don’t all work the same way—and they don’t all work for every situation. Start with your audience. What do they care about? What are they expecting? What might catch them off guard in a good way?
Then think about your message. Are you here to provoke? To reassure? To challenge? To connect?
The right opening is the one that gives your audience a reason to lean in. Not because it’s clever, but because it signals that this time—this presentation—might actually be worth their attention.
Here are some things to think about to guide your decision:
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Know Your Audience: The first thing you need to consider is who you're speaking to. Different audiences respond to different approaches. For example, if you're presenting to a group of data-driven professionals, starting with a surprising statistic or fact might resonate more strongly. On the other hand, if you're speaking to a more creative or emotionally-driven audience, a compelling story or a powerful visual might be the way to go. Understanding what motivates and interests your audience is crucial.
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Understand Your Message: Your choice of technique should align with the core message of your presentation. If your presentation is about solving a specific problem, starting with a question or setting up a challenge can be highly effective. If your goal is to inspire or persuade, a story or a powerful visual might be more appropriate. The technique should support and amplify your key message, not distract from it.
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Consider the Context: The context of your presentation—where and when it's taking place—can also influence your choice. For example, if you're presenting in a high-stakes situation, like a pitch to investors, you might want to start with a fact or statistic that highlights the market opportunity. If you're in a more relaxed setting, like a team meeting, a personal anecdote might be more fitting. The context can dictate the tone and formality of your opening.
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Play to Your Strengths: It's also important to consider your own strengths as a presenter. If you're a natural storyteller, lean into that and start with a story. If you're comfortable with data, use a statistic to make your point. The best openings are those that feel authentic to you as a presenter, because that authenticity helps build a connection with the audience.
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Match the Energy: Finally, think about the energy you want to set for the rest of the presentation. If you need to energize the room, a surprising fact or a provocative question might be the right choice. If you want to create a reflective or contemplative atmosphere, a story or visual might be more appropriate. The opening should set the tone for the entire presentation.
By taking these factors into account—your audience, your message, the context, your personal strengths, and the energy you want to create—you can choose the technique that not only grabs attention but also sets the stage for a successful presentation.
