Opening
Once you have the raw material for your presentation, you need to organize it. A well-organized presentation will make the audience's listening job as easy as possible, boosting the likelihood that you will accomplish your objective.
During the opening, use a "hook"—a comment, question, relevant story, statement, or example—to get your audience's interest and attention.
You also use the opening to do the following:
- Define the purpose of the presentation.
- Establish your credibility. Ask yourself "Which of my credentials will impress this particular audience?" and emphasize those. Or, if appropriate, have another person with authority or credibility introduce your presentation.
- Describe the importance of the topic for the audience: What's in it for them?
- Preview very briefly the main points to be covered.