Engaging Opening Statements

As a writer, editor, and strategist, I'm making a plea: PLEASE STOP using boring content openers! How many times have you seen articles start with these phrases? • In today’s fast-paced business environment… • In today’s fast-paced digital world… • In a rapidly changing business landscape… • In today’s fast-paced, data-driven world • In today’s dynamic technology landscape • In an increasingly competitive marketplace • In the competitive world of technology • In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving landscape (and the list goes on!) These generic introductions are the vanilla ice cream of the internet. They tell us nothing and instantly make our content forgettable. We can do better! Instead of these tired clichés, try these engaging alternatives: ✅ A Pain Point: "Are you struggling to [relatable problem]?" ✅ A Provocative Question: "What if everything you knew about [topic] was wrong?" ✅ A Shocking Stat: "Did you know that [surprising statistic]?" ✅ A Compelling Story: "Last week, I witnessed [brief, intriguing anecdote]..." ✅ A Touch of Humor: (Use sparingly, but a well-placed joke can grab attention.) Let's ditch the mundane and create content that truly resonates! What are your favorite ways to start a piece of content? Share your best opening lines in the comments! #contentwriting #copywriting #marketing #linkedin #writingtips #creativity #engagement #startups

Want to know how to make your audience lean in from your very first word? Here's my proven framework for opening speeches that grip: 1. Start with a shocking statistic (I once opened with "3 out of 4 people in this room will forget everything I say") 2. Ask a thought-provoking question (Make it personal, make it matter to THEM) 3. Share a powerful 10-second story (Keep it ultra-short, but make it hit hard) 4. State a controversial truth (Challenge what everyone "knows" to be true) 5. Create immediate suspense (Promise a revelation they won't expect) The key? Your first 30 seconds determine the next 30 minutes. 🟢 My process for crafting openings: Step 1 - Write 5 different opening lines. Step 2 - Test them on a colleague. Step 3 - Refine the best one. Step 4 - Practice delivery (tone, pace, pauses). Step 5 - Time the opening (keep it under 60 seconds). Here's what happens when you nail your opening: - Questions flow freely - Phones stay down - Notes get taken - Eyes stay up I've opened 100+ speeches this way. The results? Standing ovations, viral clips, and most importantly: Messages that stick. Because when you grab them at "hello," they stay with you until "thank you." P.S. What's your go-to way to start a presentation? Share below. #speaking #presentation #speeches

📣 Speakers: Do you struggle with how to open your speech? My 5th grade English teacher taught me how to write an essay: 1. Tell them what you're gonna tell them. 2. Then tell them. 3. And then tell them what you told them. ✅️ At a 20,000 foot view, it's how all great communication is structured. ❌️ But as a speaker, I used to take this advice literally, and accidentally ended up with a rather predictable speech. Consider a speaker who begins a talk on 'peak performance' like this: "Today, I'm going to tell you about the science of peak performance, how to achieve it, and why it matters." Sure, it's clear and direct, which I love. ❌️ But it doesn't invite curiosity! Instead of immediately laying out a roadmap of your speech, at Conquer the Red Dot®️ our speakers find that it's often more effective to begin by identifying a: ✅️ PROBLEM or QUESTION that your audience can relate to, and that your speech will address. This approach accomplishes two things: 🔹️It immediately engages the audience's interest 🔹️ It creates a promise or expectation that will keep them listening. In the words of David Mamet, "The only thing keeping the audience in their seats is wondering what's going to happen next." For example, our client Sneha Mandala was delivering her talk at TEDxReno on peak performance. Here's how she opened: "Go to school. Study hard. Get a job. Work hard. Get a promotion. Work harder. And then you'll be successful, right? I thought so, too." 🔥 It's so much more interesting! The audience immediately understands the problem that this talk will be address - working yourself to pieces in hopes of feeling successful - and starts to wonder what direction or shape the talk will take. Want more like this? Two more misguided openings and what you can try instead in this week's article: #speechwriting #speakingskills #communicationskills

7 seconds... that's all you have to grab their attention. (Terrifying truth about presentation openings) I bombed countless presentations as an anxious introvert... Until I discovered something that changed everything. FIRST 7 seconds? That's where anxiety PEAKS. But it's also where CONNECTION happens. Here are 5 openings that instantly hook even the most distracted audiences: 1. The Vulnerability Hook ↳ Share what they're afraid to admit ↳ Example: "I once turned down a promotion... because presenting to the board terrified me" ↳ Why it works: Creates instant psychological safety Your courage gives them permission 2. The High-Stakes Question ↳ Make it personally triggering ↳ "Ever let opportunities slip away... because speaking up felt too risky?" ↳ Why it works: Activates their deepest fears Makes your message deeply personal 3. The Pattern Interrupt ↳ Break their assumptions ↳ "The most confident speakers you know? Often the most TERRIFIED." ↳ Why it works: Creates curiosity gap Makes them lean in for more 4. The Power Pause ↳ Start with 3 seconds of silence ↳ Let the tension build ↳ Then: "That discomfort you just felt? It's costing you opportunities." ↳ Why it works: Commands attention Makes your presence FELT 5. The Sensory Story ↳ Drop them into a moment ↳ "My hands trembled. My mouth went dry. The faces looking back at me blurred..." ↳ Why it works: Creates shared experience Builds instant emotional connection TRUTH about strong openings? It's not about performance. It's about real CONNECTION. When you nail those first 7 seconds: → Anxiety decreases → Engagement increases → Your message lands Try this: Pick ONE technique. Use it in your next presentation. Watch what happens. ♻️ REPOST to educate others on Public Speaking Confidence ➕ Follow Waqas, P. for more practical insights 📌 Which opening would you try first? Share below ⬇️

Why do interview guests say "𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚" by rote during the opening exchange with the host? As a media trainer, I cringe when I hear the hackneyed phrase repeatedly. 🎤 The first 15 seconds of an podcast or media interview set the tone for what follows. Though the host is in charge, you can take control at the outset--politely and strategically. "Thanks for having me" is flat, forgettable, and void of personality or impact, especially in the context of a podcast or media interview where 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. The opening moments are precious real estate. A bland “thanks” does nothing to engage the audience or build rapport with the host. Listeners already assume you're grateful to be there. You don’t need to state the obvious, you need to 🔆 stand out. 📝 Here are some alternatives to elevate the first exchange with the host: 1️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹  Instead of thanking generically, reference the host, show, or topic. “It’s a treat to finally join you. I've been a fan of this show for a long time.” “I've been looking forward to this conversation, thank you for the warm welcome.” “Great to be here, especially to talk about something so important.” 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝗺 Share your emotional state or sense of anticipation. Mirror the energy of the host. “I appreciate this opportunity. So excited to dive in—this topic is close to my heart.” “What an energizing way to start the day—thanks for inviting me.” 3️⃣ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 Start with a thought-provoking line that previews your tone or story. “It's a delight to be here. I brought my coffee and lots of stories to share." “It's a pleasure to be here with you. I’ve got to say, the last episode with [previous guest] blew me away.” 👉 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Just 1–2 lines, tailored to the show and host, can make a big difference. Think of it as a mini “verbal handshake.” It shows care, sets a professional tone, and immediately distinguishes you from other guests. Let me help you ace your next podcast or media interview with confident, on-point openings, closings, sound bites and memorable messages that bolster your brand. 📌Schedule a complimentary consultation with me via the link in the comments. #leadershipcommunication #podcastguest #mediainterviews #publicspeakingcoach #publicspeakingtips #mediatrainer #executivepresence #executivecommunications #publicspeakingtips

During an online CPD session, the energy was flat. Cameras off. Chat silent. Then the facilitator shared a strange photo and asked, “What’s happening here?” Within seconds, the chat lit up. “Looks like a llama in a Zoom meeting!” “Definitely a metaphor for burnout.” Laughter. Curiosity. Connection. That one image transformed the room...virtually. Openers aren't just warm-ups. They're doorways to engagement. Whether in lessons, staff meetings, training sessions or assemblies, the right opener sets the emotional and intellectual tone. You don’t need magic, just something thought-provoking, relatable or surprising. Here are a few that work across settings: 📍 Quote of the day – invite interpretation or reflection 📍 Picture prompt – ask “What’s going on here?” 📍 Mini-debate – “One minute. For or against?” 📍 3-2-1 starter – 3 things you know, 2 you want to know, 1 question 📍 Mystery object – always a hit with everyone Whatever your context: student, teacher, leader, facilitator, don’t underestimate the power of a purposeful start. Start strong. The room will follow. #ZippysClassroom #MakeTeachingGreat #LessonOpeners #IceBreakers #WorkshopStarters