| It is critical that in your opening sentences, you say | | | | connection to its relevance if forgotten, it has lost all |
| something that will reach out and grab the attention | | | | importance. When a story is used in the introduction, |
| of your audience. | | | | it should be paving the way towards linking main |
| The key element of an introduction may | | | | points you want to convey in your talk or speech |
| determine how attentive your audience may be. | | | | and should be linked to your conclusion. While some |
| Have you ever witnessed an audience tuning out | | | | details may be needed in order to make the narrative |
| because the speaker is jabbering on about himself. | | | | live, the shorter the better. Every so often, you |
| Human nature being what it is....we all tend to want it | | | | may find yourself speaking before an audience that is |
| all to be about us. We want relevance for our life | | | | skeptical or even hostile. How might you get them to |
| or business. | | | | give you their attention? R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Try to |
| So, when preparing your introduction, have in mind | | | | bring out something mutually accepted and you may |
| the following objectives: | | | | find they change their attitude. Nothing can replace |
| (1) getting their attention, | | | | a genuine friendliness can help to create an |
| (2) clearly identifying your subject, | | | | atmosphere that is conducive to having a |
| (3) why the subject is important to your | | | | conversation. It is helpful to begin with something |
| audience. | | | | that directly relates to what is on the person’s |
| If you can achieve all three simultaneously, | | | | mind. |
| great. But you may need to give special attention to | | | | Show Why the Subject Is Important to Your |
| each objective in whatever order works for you. | | | | AudienceWhether you are speaking to just a few |
| How to Get the Attention of Your Audience | | | | individuals or to a large audience from the stage or |
| The fact that people have gathered to hear your | | | | platform, one of the best ways to arouse interest in |
| speech or presentation does not mean that they are | | | | a subject is to get your audience involved. Show |
| ready to give the subject their undivided attention. | | | | how their problems, their needs, or the questions |
| Why not? Let's face it, people have a lot on their | | | | that are on their minds correlate to the subject that |
| mind. They may have issues at home that concern | | | | you are discussing. If you make clear that you are |
| them or some other type of problem like financial | | | | going to go a little deeper on the subject and come |
| troubles. This presents a challenge to you as the | | | | to grips with specific aspects of the matter, they will |
| speaker. Your job is to capture and hold the | | | | listen even more intently. To do that, you must |
| attention of the audience. The good news is there | | | | prepare well. |
| are many ways you can do this. | | | | The Way You Present It |
| Use Questions | | | | What you say in your introduction is of primary |
| This can be an effective way to arouse interest, | | | | importance, but how you say it can also arouse |
| but they must be of the right kind of question. You | | | | interest. For this reason your preparation ought to |
| don't want to bore your audience by asking | | | | involve not only what you are going to say but also |
| questions that they have heard before. Try | | | | how you are going to say it. Word choice is |
| something fresh and new or from a new angle or | | | | important in accomplishing your objective, so you |
| perspective. This will truly stimulate thinking. It is | | | | might find it advantageous to prepare the first two |
| critical to pause be it ever so briefly after each | | | | or three sentences quite carefully. Short, simple |
| question so that your listeners have time to answer | | | | sentences are usually best. You may choose to |
| the question in their mind without distraction. When | | | | memorize them so that your opening words will carry |
| they feel that they are engaging in a mental dialogue | | | | all the impact they deserve. Delivering an effective |
| with you, then you have their attention. | | | | introduction in an unhurried manner can help you to |
| Use of real life experiencesThis is a great way to | | | | gain the composure needed to give the rest of your |
| capture attention and make a lasting impression on | | | | talk. |
| your audience. If your story is remembered but the | | | | |