When it comes to presentations, the first impression counts a lot. Hence, it is important to have a clear understanding of how to start a presentation correctly through some best PowerPoint templates. So, let’s explore the steps you will need to follow to start a presentation and create that long-lasting impression.
– Shock your audience
You may shock your audience in various ways, such as by showing a hilarious video, using a prop, starting by chatting to audience members, ridiculing something, and so on. However, make sure your shock has the right impact; you want the audience to stay engaged because they enjoyed the surprise or found it intriguing, not because you’ve offended them and they’re looking for flaws in your argument. Again, the shock must be appropriate for the objective of the presentation and the audience.
– Use “What-If” scenarios
When you ask your audience to envision something or consider “what if,” they are more likely to visualize and engage their imagination. This approach may elicit specific emotions, which are generally the feelings you have about the same object. Emotions are a wonderful method to keep people’s attention since they’re now invested in what you’re saying.
– Start the presentation either in the future or in the past
When a speaker uses deliberative rhetoric, he or she attempts to persuade the audience to take action by imagining a possible future. Politicians frequently employ this strategy, and Martin Luther’s “I have a dream” speech is a well-known example.
You may elicit a similar response from the audience by talking about the past and drawing lessons from things that worked or didn’t work. For example, you might remind the audience about times when the country was doing well economically or when mistakes were made that contributed to the country’s economic downfall.
– Use an appropriate design
The overall design of your presentation contributes a lot towards its success as well. This is why we encourage you to take a look at the free PPT templates. Any person who is looking for free templates can visit a website such as SlideEgg. Among the available templates, you can pick something that adheres to your specific requirements.
– Use a quote
If you’re having trouble coming up with a good first line, consider citing someone. You must be careful not to sound clichéd, and the quotation must be significant and relevant to the audience and the goal of your presentation. When quoting, use a photo instead of words if you’re utilizing slides. This will benefit the audience in the following ways:
– Tell a joke
To emphasize why your topic is important, you may begin with a narrative. Suppose the topic is the advantages of dogs on physical and psychological health, for example. In that case, you may tell a story or present research about a person whose quality of life increased considerably after receiving a dog. This tale is more likely to elicit a positive response and be remembered by the audience than a list of facts.
Well-known historical incidents might be used to illustrate a point or to encourage the audience to use their imagination. A joke may be used to begin a presentation by more experienced and confident public presenters. If you make the audience laugh, they will be enthralled, but caution when utilizing humor since a joke might be misconstrued and possibly insult the audience. Use jokes only if you’re comfortable with the method and it’s worked in the past.
Use any of these methods to come up with the best introduction for your presentation.