Question

What are some ways to capture your audience’s attention at the beginning of your presentation? Which is your favorite and why?

Answer 1

Some ways to capture the audience's attention at the beginning of your presentation are -

1. Make a universally accepted statement & then contradict it.
2. Asking a series of rhetorical questions.
3. Start by showing a video.
4. Sharing an amazing fact with the audience at the beginning.
5. Provide a reference to a historical event.
6. Ask the audience to imagine something.
7. Stating something that arouses curiosity.
8. Starting with a quote.
9. Staring with a story.
10. Starting with a joke.
11. Starting with something that shocks the audience.

My favourite out of all of the mentioned ways is to start a presentation by a joke. This is because it immediately electrifies the audience & too put it in simple words, awakes them. Humour helps in breaking the boundary between the audience & the presenter. It helps the presenter to gain the confidence of the audience. It also bridges the gap. The use of a joke at the beginning of a presentation immediately builds a connection. It also lightens the environment of the room. It helps in getting the full attention of the audience. Also, laughing is always fun. Hence, my favourite approach out of all the amazing approaches is to start the presentation by telling a joke.