What’s the best way to open a presentation?
It’s one of the most common questions I hear.
In the first few seconds of your talk, your audience decides whether to lean in…or tune out. Your opening sets the tone for everything that follows.
The goal? Get them to stop scrolling, look up, and listen.
Let’s Start With What Not To Do
Avoid defaulting to polite but forgettable phrases:
- “Thank you for being here.”
- “I know your time is valuable.”
- “Let’s thank our hosts.”
You haven’t earned their trust yet. These phrases are expected, and they don’t create a moment of connection. It’s better to thank people at the end, once you’ve built trust and it sounds more sincere.
What Does Work: Power, Presence, and Curiosity
I recently wrapped up teaching The Arts of Communication at Harvard Kennedy School. When I reflect on the speeches I have heard in this course over the years, the speakers with the most powerful openings had two elements in common:
1. They Took Their Time
The speaker didn’t rush to begin. They paused, made eye contact, and let themselves be seen.
Presence is powerful, even before you say a word.
2. They Opened with a “Power Phrase”
They said something that surprised us, challenged us, or sparked curiosity.
“The shooting started at four in the morning.”
“My grandfather lived in seven countries without ever leaving his hometown.”
Those lines didn’t just grab attention. They earned it.
One speaker opened with:
“Yesterday, I was walking by the river, thinking about the little things. The really little things—I mean, semiconductors.”
That moment of contrast was unexpected. It made us smile, then think. That’s the kind of opening that earns attention.
Where Should You Start?
I recommend you write your opening last, once you’ve already written the rest of the presentation. Once you know what you want to say, step back and ask:
- What will surprise this audience?
- What story or statement can create curiosity?
- What matters to them, and how can I show them that right away?
For me, those ideas don’t come when I’m staring at a blank page. They come during my “unstructured time”; usually while I’m drying my hair. It’s a focused but mindless task that gives my brain the space to be creative. That’s when my best opening lines arrive.
What’s your creative space? Find it. Use it.
Because the moment you speak, you have the opportunity to shift how people think, feel, or act. Don’t wait until halfway through your speech to find your rhythm.
Start strong. Start with intention.
Ask yourself, ‘What matters to them, and how can I show them that, right away?’