Make it about THEM. It's never about you. Study your audience before. Listen to the other speakers. Scan through the agenda. Pay attention to the questions asked. Little details of connection go a long way. Specially at the start. It's about them.

First seven seconds is when the audience is judging. Is this worth my time? What’s in this for me? Do I feel safe with this person? If as the communicator knows this we can choose to master the judgement. Starting with a conscious choice on what words with come out - rather than the usual blether of hello , name, comments on weather …. Start with some that brings the essence of your message into your opener. A conversational story which encapsulates your message and where you might find then. Story can be a great way to open as it feels for the listener easy- hearing through limbic emotional brain. Something emotive, personal. Story telling also means you don’t have to learn it in the same way as it’s already you story.

Here's the hard truth: People are too involved in themselves to actually care what you're about to say. And this is why, we need to grab their attention from the start. Here are some of the techniques to begin your speech : - Ask a Question. - State a shocking fact. - Start with a story. - A lesser known quote said by a famous personality. - Relate to the audience by creating a common ground. - A humorous anecdote (be careful with this one)

To hook them, the golden rule is simple : Have Least Predictable Opening. Following strategies can help : - Ask Questions - Show Props and Draw Metaphor - Quotes - Shocking Facts / Counter Intuitive Opening - Ask Questions from the audience, etc.. Also, make sure hook must be relevant to the central message and must engage tne audience!

To ensure your opening line leaves a lasting impression, start with a compelling story, a surprising fact, or a provocative question that directly relates to your speech's theme. A speech on climate change for example could begin with- "Did you know that in 2019 we saw 11,000 climate-related deaths worldwide?" This immediately captures attention. For instance, by starting with a personal anecdote that connects with the audiences experiences you build an immediate connection. Alternatively, a bold statement or a shocking fact can instantly pique the audiences interest, making them eager to hear more. By getting them curious and building an emotional connection from the outset, you set a dynamic tone for the rest of your speech.

Rapport is often a term mistakenly reserved for intimate settings like negotiations, sales. In a public speech setting - rapport applies with equal (or even greater relevance)! The objective is making your audience comfortable to listen, internalise, and react. Build that connection by: (1) Starting off-stage: Pick small conversations for references you can make later ("I know some of you are here for ...") (2) Add anecdotes: Make it personal and relatable - your audience needs to feel for you/your message (3) Conversational>Polished: Being too rehearsed can go against you - conversational pauses, reactions, or even emotions can make you look less rigid and more open to engagement! Build that rapport bridge even as a public speaker!

Building rapport with your audience is vital. Unless they resonate with you, and with your style of speaking, you're in for a rocky time. Your audience will relax into what you're speaking about if you share both vulnerability as well as success. Use eye contact strategically. Make sure that you catch the eyes of as many people as possible during the time you're speaking. Not by scattering your eye contact but by being sure to move your eyes from one to another and across different areas at a time. The audience member who feels your eyes connect with theirs will almost always trust you more, whereas the speaker who never connects, will always have a more difficult job to build that trust with their audience.

- Acknowledge Individual Contributions: Highlight specific contributions or characteristics of your audience members to make them feel valued. - Use Relatable Stories: Share anecdotes that resonate with the audience's experiences, enhancing relatability and engagement. - Interactive Engagement: Encourage questions and feedback to create a dynamic and interactive environment. - Express Genuine Interest: Show authentic interest in your audience's needs and concerns, reinforcing your connection. - Tailor Your Message: Customize your speech to address the specific interests and expectations of your audience.

Self-targeted humor usually is safer to use, especially in multi-cultural contexts. It is not about depreciating yourself of course, find a topic outside of your main subject, or an anecdote that is both light and funny placing yourself as the comic part. For instance, look at how Sir Ken Robinson uses humor targeted toward his teenager son and himself during his TED talk, it illustrates his point without risking infuriating anyone.

Some speakers can plan humour effectively into their speaking, but the best humour is that which is made in the moment and that is usually only possible as you relax into your topic, and onto the stage. So, never take yourself too seriously; be free to own up to mistakes, as well as sharing your successes. Allow the audience to laugh with you as you share those mistakes, and you'll find they will believe the successes more!

I love incorporating humor into my talks. It breaks down initial barriers, captures the audience's attention, and serves as a great icebreaker. This humor can take many forms, from a quick one-liner to a longer story, but I ensure it's always in good taste and appropriate. Humor results in smiling and laughing, which are both contagious. This positivity can spread throughout the audience, creating an energetic atmosphere that sets the tone for the rest of the speech. However, if humor isn't something you're comfortable with, using it just for the sake of using it can come across as forced and potentially have a negative effect.

- Creates Anticipation: A well-timed pause builds anticipation, making your audience eager to hear what comes next. - Enhances Emphasis: It highlights key points, ensuring they resonate more deeply with the listeners. - Encourages Reflection: Pausing provides a moment for the audience to reflect on the information, facilitating better understanding. - Improves Engagement: It breaks the monotony, maintaining audience engagement throughout the speech. - Shows Confidence: A speaker who pauses displays confidence and control over their message and delivery.

To project confidence, you need to feel confident. Here are a few strategies I always use😉 1-Have pockets: My secret outfit includes pockets. I feel confident when I can occasionally put my hands in my pockets. Find your own confidence-boosting trick. 2-Rehearse out loud: For important occasions, practice with a friend who isn't an expert in your speech's domain to gauge their reaction. 3-Walk, but not too much: A bit of movement on stage helps project confidence, as if you're having a friendly conversation. However, too much pacing can reflect anxiety and make your audience uneasy.