I’ve watched over 500 executive presentations in my career. Investment bankers pitching billion-pound deals. Biotech founders presenting to skeptical investors. Senior leaders defending budgets to hostile boards.
And I can tell you exactly when most of them lost their audience: the first 30 seconds.
The opening of your presentation isn’t just important — it’s everything. Get it wrong, and you’re fighting an uphill battle for the next 20 minutes. Get it right, and your audience leans in, ready to hear what you have to say.
After 24 years in investment banking at JPMorgan, PwC, RBS, and Commerzbank — plus 16 years coaching executives on high-stakes presentations — I’ve identified exactly what works. Here are 15 powerful openers that grab attention and set you up for success.
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Why the First 10 Seconds Matter More Than Anything Else
Neuroscience tells us something uncomfortable: your audience decides whether to pay attention within the first 10 seconds. Not 10 minutes. Ten seconds.
This is called the “primacy effect” — we remember beginnings and endings far more than middles. And in those crucial first moments, your audience is asking one question:
“Is this going to be worth my time?”
If you start with “Good morning, my name is Sarah and today I’m going to talk about our Q3 results…” — you’ve already answered that question. And the answer is no.
Here’s what the best presenters do differently.
15 Powerful Ways to Start a Presentation
1. The Shocking Statistic
Numbers that surprise create instant engagement. The key is contrast — show them something that challenges their assumptions.
Example: “75% of venture-backed startups fail. But the companies that master investor presentations are 40% more likely to get funded. Today, I’m going to show you exactly what separates the funded from the forgotten.”
Why it works: You’ve created a gap between what they know and what they need to know. Now they have to keep listening.
2. The Bold Statement
Make a claim that’s unexpected or even slightly controversial. This triggers curiosity and positions you as someone with a point of view.
Example: “Everything you’ve been taught about presenting to boards is wrong. And it’s costing you promotions.”
Why it works: You’ve challenged the status quo. Even if they disagree, they want to hear your reasoning.
3. The Relevant Story
Stories activate different parts of the brain than data alone. A well-chosen story creates emotional connection and makes abstract concepts concrete.
Example: “Three years ago, I sat in a boardroom in Frankfurt and watched a CFO lose a £4 million budget approval in eleven words. He opened with ‘I know we’re over budget, but let me explain.’ The meeting was over before it started.”
Why it works: Stories create suspense. Your audience wants to know what happened next — and how to avoid the same fate.
4. The Thought-Provoking Question
Questions engage the brain differently than statements. They force your audience to think, which means they’re actively participating rather than passively listening.
Example: “When was the last time you sat through a presentation and thought, ‘I wish this was longer’?”
Why it works: You’ve made them smile and acknowledged a shared frustration. You’re on the same side now.
5. The “Imagine” Scenario
Invite your audience into a future state. This technique, borrowed from hypnotherapy, creates a vivid mental picture that makes your solution feel tangible.
Example: “Imagine walking into your next board presentation completely calm. You know exactly what to say. The executives are nodding. And when you finish, the CEO says, ‘That was exactly what we needed.’ What would that be worth to you?”
Why it works: You’ve made them feel the outcome before you’ve explained the process.
6. The Counterintuitive Truth
Share something that goes against conventional wisdom. This positions you as an expert with insider knowledge.
Example: “The best presentations I’ve ever seen had zero bullet points. None. And they won billion-pound deals.”
Why it works: You’ve challenged a default assumption. Now they need to understand why.
7. The Specific Promise
Tell them exactly what they’ll get from the next few minutes. Be specific and benefit-focused.
Example: “In the next 12 minutes, I’m going to give you the three-slide structure that’s helped my clients raise over £250 million in funding. You can implement it in your next presentation tomorrow.”
Why it works: You’ve set clear expectations and promised immediate value. They know what’s coming and why it matters.
8. The Shared Problem
Articulate the pain your audience is experiencing. When people feel understood, they trust you to provide the solution.
Example: “You’ve spent three weeks on this presentation. You’ve rehearsed it a dozen times. And you still can’t shake the feeling that when you stand up, your mind will go blank and everyone will see you’re not ready.”
Why it works: You’ve demonstrated that you understand their world. You’re not just another presenter — you’re someone who gets it.
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9. The Behind-the-Scenes Insight
Give them access to information they wouldn’t normally have. This creates a sense of exclusivity and trust.
Example: “I’ve sat in due diligence meetings at four global banks. And I can tell you exactly what the investment committee says after you leave the room…”
Why it works: You’re offering insider knowledge. They’re getting something not everyone gets access to.
10. The Historical Parallel
Connect your topic to a famous moment in history. This adds weight and context to your message.
Example: “In 1984, Steve Jobs stood in front of shareholders and said three words that changed Apple forever. Those three words weren’t about technology — they were about belief. And they’re the same three words you need in your next pitch.”
Why it works: You’ve borrowed credibility from a known success story and created curiosity about the connection.
11. The Live Demonstration
Show rather than tell. A well-executed demo captures attention like nothing else.
Example: Start by silently walking to the front of the room, pausing for three full seconds, and making eye contact with five people before saying a word. Then say: “That silence made you pay attention. Today, I’m going to show you how to command a room before you even speak.”
Why it works: You’ve demonstrated your expertise in real-time. No one is checking their phone now.
12. The Personal Failure
Vulnerability creates connection. When you share a mistake, you become human — and your audience trusts you more.
Example: “The worst presentation of my career was in front of 200 people at a banking conference. I blanked on my own name. Literally forgot who I was. And what I learned in the next 30 seconds saved my career.”
Why it works: They want to know how you recovered. And they believe you’ll help them avoid the same fate.
13. The Unexpected Object
Bring a physical prop. Objects create visual interest and give you something to anchor your message.
Example: Hold up a single slide printout. “This is the only slide that mattered in a £50 million deal. One slide. The other 47 were background noise. Today, I’ll show you how to find your one slide.”
Why it works: Physical objects break the pattern of typical presentations. People pay attention to what’s different.
14. The Direct Challenge
Challenge your audience to think differently or take action. This creates engagement through a sense of urgency.
Example: “By the end of this presentation, you’ll either change how you open every meeting — or you’ll keep losing your audience in the first 30 seconds. The choice is yours.”
Why it works: You’ve raised the stakes. This isn’t just information — it’s a decision point.
15. The Silence
Sometimes the most powerful opening is no words at all. Strategic silence commands attention and demonstrates confidence.
Example: Walk to the front. Stand still. Look at your audience for 5 full seconds. Then, quietly: “Now that I have your attention… let’s talk about why most presentations lose it.”
Why it works: Silence is unexpected. In a world of noise, quiet commands the room.
The Openings That Kill Your Credibility
Now that you know what works, here’s what to avoid:
❌ “Can everyone hear me?” — Start as if you’re already in command.
❌ “I’m just going to quickly talk about…” — The word “just” diminishes your message before you’ve delivered it.
❌ “I know you’re all busy, so I’ll try to be quick…” — You’ve just signaled that what you’re about to say isn’t important.
❌ “Today I’m going to talk about…” — Boring. They know you’re going to talk. Show them why they should care.
❌ “Let me just share my screen…” — Technical fumbling kills momentum. Have everything ready before you speak.
❌ Apologizing for anything — Never open with an apology. It puts you on the back foot immediately.
How to Choose the Right Opening for Your Situation
Not every opener works for every context. Here’s how to match your opening to your audience:
Board presentations: Use the Bold Statement, Specific Promise, or Shocking Statistic. Executives want confidence and clarity.
Investor pitches: Use the Relevant Story, Specific Promise, or Behind-the-Scenes Insight. Investors need to trust you before they trust your numbers.
Team meetings: Use the Shared Problem, Thought-Provoking Question, or “Imagine” Scenario. Internal audiences need to feel included.
Sales presentations: Use the Counterintuitive Truth, Direct Challenge, or Personal Failure. Buyers are skeptical — surprise them.
Conference keynotes: Use the Live Demonstration, Silence, or Historical Parallel. Large audiences need theatrical moments to stay engaged.
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The 30-Second Opening Framework
If you remember nothing else from this article, use this simple framework for your next presentation:
Second 1-5: Establish presence (pause, make eye contact, breathe)
Second 6-15: Hook them (statistic, story, question, or bold statement)
Second 16-25: Create relevance (why this matters to THEM)
Second 26-30: Preview the value (what they’ll get from the next X minutes)
That’s it. Thirty seconds to change the trajectory of your entire presentation.
What Happens After a Great Opening
A powerful opening does more than grab attention — it changes the dynamic of the entire presentation.
When you open strong, you feel more confident. Your audience is engaged. You have momentum. Everything that follows is easier.
When you open weak, you spend the rest of the presentation trying to recover. You can feel the room’s attention drifting. You rush. You doubt yourself.
The difference between a presentation that wins and one that’s forgotten often comes down to those first 30 seconds.
Choose your opening carefully. Practice it until it’s second nature. And walk into that room knowing that before you’ve even finished your first sentence, you’ve already won half the battle.
Mary Beth Hazeldine is an executive presentation coach with 24 years in investment banking (JPMorgan, PwC, RBS, Commerzbank) and 16 years training executives to present with confidence. She has trained over 10,000 executives through Winning Presentations.