Do you want to hook your audience right at the start of your speech? Do you want to have them leaning forward with interest? Do you want to have an approach to introductions that you can apply to many speeches?
Today you will learn an effective, time-tested pattern for speech introductions that will grab your audience’s attention and create a desire to hear more.
There are 3 easy steps, 3 P’s, of effective speech introductions: a little Pep, a big Promise and a clear Path. Get their attention (pep), tell them how they will benefit (promise) and preview how you will get them there (path).
Pep: Grab your audience’s attention by opening with questions, startling statements, a quote, a poem, a story or a joke (although be careful with jokes—only use one if you know it will work). See the 5 previous Talking Points for information on openings.
Promise: Tell your audience how they will benefit by listening. Remember, everyone is tuned into their own radio station, WIIFM (What’s In It For Me?). How will what you are about to say make their lives better?
Path: Give your audience a preview of where you are going to take them. This primes your audience and also gives your speech some organization! They can “take away 4 tools,” “learn 3 steps,” “gain 3 benefits,” etc. I wouldn’t have more than 5 “take-aways” in most speeches. Three is ideal.
This approach will work for many speeches, but most especially for workshop speeches.
If you’d like an example, take a look at the opening of this short post.
Pep: Do you want to hook your audience right at the start of your speech? Do you want to have them leaning forward with interest? Do you want to have an approach to introductions that you can apply to many speeches?
(Actually, the “Pep” is also implied “Promise,” but I do have a promise statement, too).
Promise: Today you will learn an effective, time-tested pattern for speech introductions that will grab your audience’s attention and create a desire to hear more.
Path: There are 3 easy steps, 3 P’s, of effective speech introductions: a little Pep, a big Promise and a clear Path. Get their attention (pep), tell them how they will benefit (promise) and preview how you will get them there (path).
Try the 3 P approach in your next speech introduction!