43RD Issue of Newsletter

Free Your Voice from Speaking Anxiety

Reader,

Do you care...

What my name is. Where I came from.

What degrees and awards have I collected in the past, what I do for a living, and what my job title is.

Simply put, people don't care about me... ONLY I DO.

Therefore, conventional intros are a surefire recipe to put your audience to sleep... right in the beginning.

Try any of the following 4 ways to start your talk and grab their attention right off the bat.

1 - Ask an enrolling question

This has been by far my favorite way to start a presentation... Though I don't begin storytelling with an enrolling question.

I ask enrolling questions not only at the start but also during my talks

...It keeps the audience awake.

An enrolling question is a simple "yes" or "no" question that you ask your audience, and they can respond by a show of hands.

For example...

If the topic of my talk is public speaking anxiety, this is how I may begin:

"Have you ever blanked out on stage during a public speaking situation?"

And then you comment on their response.

This is an important step to acknowledge your audience's response to the enrolling question.

For instance, you may comment like this:

"I see some of you have gone through this ordeal. You are not alone... it happens to most of us ".

Asking an enrolling question offers me 2 major benefits:

• It calms my nerves
• It makes the audience engage with my talk

When asked in the beginning...

An enrolling question is like passing the hot potato to the audience

...and somehow it helps calm my nerves and breaks the ice.

You are encouraged to ask enrolling questions throughout the speaking engagement to keep the audience engaged and awake.

2 - Tell a relevant story... Better yet, a personal story

Storytelling is the most effective way to keep the audience's attention.

Oftentimes, I start with an enrolling question which is followed by a story.

When you start with a story, something almost magical happens.

The surreal sound of these four words "once upon a time..." awakens the inner child in us who instantly gets hooked on your content.

The facts, numbers, opinions, arguments, deepest convictions, and values don't hold any weight unless put into perspective.

Storytelling does exactly that.

It gives our unique take, meaning, and perspective to the content of our talk.

Plus, it makes it easier to make our point and leverage human emotions.

3 - Start with a surprising fact or statistic

How is this for a start of a talk on public speaking anxiety?

"According to studies and surveys, people's number 1 fear is public speaking.

Number 2 is Death. Death is number 2!

Does that sound right?

To an average person, it means if you are at a funeral, you would be better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.

That's what it means.

Crazy... right?"

This is based on a comedy act from the TV series Seinfeld.

I think it's way better start than the conventional My-Name-blah-blah-blah intros.

4 - Promise the value of your talk

Promise your audience upfront what value they are going to get out of your talk or presentation.

For instance...

"If you stay with me for the next 10 minutes—both physically and mentally—you will know the 4 ways in to start your next talk"

By promising them, they will know what to expect from your talk and give you their full attention.

Remember - you can always mix and match.

For example...

You can begin by asking an enrolling question and then tell surprising statistics or promise the value of your talk.

and so on... You get the point.

Bonus Tip:

Do not apologize to start your talk... It doesn't matter what the apology is:

Whether you haven't prepared the talk, you came late to the venue, and whatnot.

Never start your talk or presentation with an excuse or apology.

Chances are that your audience will take it as a token of disrespect.

For instance...

Apologizing for being unprepared may be interpreted as you don't care about that speaking engagement, audience, and that occasion.

Reader,

What method are you going to try in your next presentation/ talk?

​

Best,

Waqas - Head Speaking Anxiety Coach

​Let's Chat​