How to Open

• Your audience’s engagement level peaks during the first seconds of your talk. A truly personal story relevant to your core message is a common opener for TED talkers. Go for emotion, high sensory level, and rich dialogue. Your audience should be able to relive it with you. Another effective start features the shocking statement. The third reliable opening is asking a powerful question. Why and how questions are best. A series of questions can also work. If you are going to use humor, you want to get a laugh right away. Three themes, tips, or tools can be effective as three is a sticky number. More and your audience will probably not remember. Don’t open with thank you or before I begin. Remember that your audience’s four needs are health and safety, love and belonging, self-interest, and hope. Jeremey gives great examples. For more watch some TED talks online as they only post good ones.

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