What to say in the first 30 seconds of a speech

Most people spend countless hours preparing the content of a speech, but overlook one of the most crucial parts: the beginning.

But here’s the truth. Within the first few seconds of your speech, your audience has already made a decision: Do I want to listen to this person? That decision is extremely quick and often subconscious, and it all depends on how you begin.

That’s why I always say that you should spend disproportionately more time crafting your opening. If you can’t catch your audience’s attention at the start, then they are unlikely to engage with the rest – no matter how brilliant your content is.

Let’s start with what not to say and, yes, I’ve heard all of these before: “Sorry if this is not relevant…”; “My English isn’t very good…”; “I’m not very good at public speaking…”; “Can you hear me?”; “Okay, so today I’ll be talking about…”.

These beginnings don’t spark curiosity or energy. Instead, they switch people off, so your job is to break the pattern and make people wake up. Here are a few openers that work wonders:

1. Start with a story

TEDx speakers do this for a reason. Stories create emotional connection, release chemicals in the body and help people remember. Even a short, personal story can make your audience lean in.

2. Ask a thought-provoking question

The moment someone hears a question, their brain wants to answer it. It creates instant engagement.

For example: “Have you ever felt invisible in a meeting, even when you had something important to say?”

3. Share a surprising statistic

Shock and intrigue your audience into paying attention.

Something like: “Did you know that people decide if they trust you within 7 seconds of meeting you?”

4. Paint a visual scene

When you paint a vivid picture with words, your audience is instantly transported. It pulls them into your world and activates their imagination.

For example: “Imagine standing at a podium. Your palms are sweating, your heart is racing, and every eye in the room is on you. The silence is deafening, and your mind goes blank.”

5. Use a powerful statement/famous quote

Sometimes, all it takes is one bold sentence to make people sit up and lean in. A powerful quote or unexpected statement can grab attention instantly, especially if it challenges what the audience believes or makes them think twice. 

For example: “Oscar Wilde once said: ‘The man who can dominate a London dinner table can dominate the world.’”

No matter how brilliant you are at your job, it’s your communication that shapes how others perceive your value. If you don’t express yourself with clarity and confidence, people may never fully recognise what you bring to the table.

Find out more about or Communication Skills course.