Opening line of Anne Tyler’s novel The Beginner’s Goodbye – “The strangest thing about my wife’s return from the dead was how other people reacted.” Engaging, arresting, surprising, compelling. Just as a book needs to capture readers in its first few words, so a presentation needs to grab people’s attention, take control of the room and establish a rapport with its audience. Work hard on your opening, rehearse it thoroughly and you’ll get off to a good start in terms of both audience engagement and your own confidence.
January 27, 2013