How do you start a presentation?

A presentation can begin a number of ways, such as with an engaging story, a shocking fact, a rhetorical question or a meaningful quote from a famous person. It is important to engage the audience and establish speaker credibility within the first 60 seconds of the presentation.

A story is generally an effective presentation opening because audience members are often entertained listening to stories. Likewise, a shocking fact gets an audience's attention, and it prompts them to listen to the speaker to provide follow-up information. A rhetorical question, like a fact, raises curiosity about the topic, prompting audience members to pay attention for an explanation.