PLAN FOR UNPREDICTABILITY
No matter how much presenters prepare, they will never know exactly how an audience will react to their message. Will they love it? Will they hate it? The sad reality: audiences are unpredictable. They may be talkative. They may be tired. They may be inquisitive. They may even be hateful. Amazing presenters know how to control any situation, and that begins with knowing how to open and close your talk.
FIVE POWERFUL WAYS TO OPEN YOUR PRESENTATION
We all know that first impressions matter, so if you want to mitigate harsh or unnecessary judgment, you'll need to know how to open a presentation properly. Here are a few of our favorite tactics:
USE THE POWER OF SILENCE.
In February 2013, Amanda Palmer delivered a phenomenal TED Talk called the “The Art of Asking,” and she opened with silence. She spent the first 18 seconds setting up her equipment and then being silent. By doing so, she built a confident stage presence. As viewers, we are left waiting and wondering what's next, putting all the power and authority in her hands. This is what makes it an amazing tactic. If you are feeling extremely confident and charismatic, it's definitely an approach worth adding to your toolbox.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE OR THE PAST.
Prospective and retrospective statements can be incredibly powerful when done right. I'll give you an example of each. Let's say you want to be prospective with your opening. If this is the case, you might want to open with a statement like this: “Ten years from now, mobile devices will be a thing of the past.” Now you have the audience's attention. They are wondering how this can be. They love their iPhones. What could possibly replace them? No matter what they are wondering, you have them engaged from your opening line. Here's an example of a retrospective statement: “In 1969, we put a man on the moon. Today, we are beginning our journey to Mars.” Again, it's a compelling statement that leaves your audience wanting more.
QUOTE SOMEONE.
I (Scott) am a big fan of Stephen Hawking. If I decide to open my next presentation with one of his quotes, it will automatically build my level of credibility. Let's see it in action: “Stephen Hawking once said, ‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.’ That's exactly what I want to talk about with you today.”
With a few words, I'm looking smarter than I actually am—just ask my wife.
SHARE SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY.
Did you know that if you eat 30 to 90 grams of polar bear liver,[8] you could die? That's something extraordinary about something ordinary. As human beings, we love this type of information, so it is worth exploring as a potential presentation opener.
TELL A STORY.
Stories are part of our DNA. There are really no new stories. They are just retold in different ways by different people. Stories are forever. Open with one in your next presentation.
Our Favorite Opening Method (Video): http://ethos3.com/treats/opening
FIVE POWERFUL WAYS TO CLOSE YOUR PRESENTATION
Understanding how to open a presentation is critical, but knowing how to close one is just as important. Here are a few of our favorite techniques:
CIRCLE BACK AROUND.
Our favorite movies and books always circle back around. Two of our favorite directors are the Coen brothers. Their movies are a bit dark, incredibly introspective, and wildly popular. Their classic Fargo demonstrates this point. In the very first scene of the movie, you see a car driving on a snowy road. The movie's resolution concludes with a very similar image and tone. As an audience member, you are provided with a sense of closure, which has a powerful emotional impact.
BUILD UP TO SOMETHING.
Let's take another lesson from Hollywood. One film that stands out to me is Bryan Singer's 1995 hit The Usual Suspects. I won't reveal any spoilers. Suffice it to say that it ends with an amazing twist. Singer spends 106 minutes[9] building up to something very profound.
REPEAT THE IMPORTANT STUFF.
In 1999, neurobiologist