Speaking Is Sexy Tip #21 - What To Say First

What Should You Say First?

      Often when we're asked to give a speech, it's not, "What shall I say?" or "I don't know what to say," that gives us pause. It's what should we say first? What should our opening sentences be? This depends on a number of important variables, some of them obvious, none of them difficult to deal with.
      a. Who is in the audience and how many people are you speaking to? This is the key question to ask when we're invited to speak. Is it a fundraising event, or the monthly meeting of the local Chamber of Commerce? A company conference or a roast, toast or retirement farewell party? A wedding, sales meeting or something else? Knowing who and how many you're speaking to is the first clue to what to say first.
      b. Is it a formal presentation with a power point slide show or an informal talk without even a microphone? Are you expected to use a lot of hi-tech bells and whistles or simply stand in front of the group and let the power of your voice and body language convey your message?
      c. Is the goal of this speech to educate, inform, report, motivate, honor, touch, entertain? Is there a specific action you want the audience to take at its conclusion or is applause enough?
      d. Is the key element in your presentation the material you're offering or the fact that you're the one who's offering it? Did the audience come to hear about the subject or did they come to hear you?
      e. How will you be introduced?

      Whichever parameters apply to your presentation,
here's one simple rule of thumb

to keep in mind. You have about 45 seconds to grab the audience and give them a sense of confidence that they're going to be glad they came. As quickly as possible, you want to make them feel you're someone they'll like and respect and that their time won't be wasted. You want them to feel you care more about them than you do about yourself.
      How to do this?
      Say something about your common humanity as a shared experience they can relate to.

      Hopefully you've arrived early enough to meet some of the key players, learned a few points that you have in common, and can say something that will have the audience nodding their heads and smiling in agreement. Whether you're behind a podium or there's just air between you and your listeners, you can use a conversational, down-to-earth, friendly tone, a smile, and lots of eye contact. You're showing them you're glad to be here and that you respect them and their organization.
      Even if your host gave you a detailed introduction, (which if you're smart you probably wrote yourself!), add a tidbit that gives the audience another insight into your personality or the expertise that qualifies you to speak to them. If no one introduced you other than to say your name, here's your chance to tell them all the wonderful things about yourself you want them to know to ensure they'll take you seriously.
      What about telling a joke? If it's absolutely a propos to the occasion, if you've rehearsed it, feel comfortable with it and can tell it well, by all means, go ahead. However, avoid "trying to say something funny." The dead silence that'll follow will set you back to square one attempting to re-establish your status as someone to be respected. Try not to shoot yourself in the foot with an ill-timed or badly prepared witticism.
      Three simple things to remember when you face your audience and begin to speak:
      Talk about them. Talk about you. Then talk about your subject.
      You'll never have to worry about what to say first again.