The beginning of any presentation is the most difficult phase. The audience’s reaction to the information delivered and to your performance will be determined by the first words you speak. Understanding how to start a presentation correctly can enable you in capturing the audience’s attention and preparing them for what follows.

Guidelines to begin a presentation the right way:

1. Attention
   Grabbing the audience’s attention implies convincing them to pay attention to you. A one-line declaration like ‘Let’s begin’ or ‘May I have your attention please’ is a great opening to quickly capture attention.
2. Welcome
   The next step is to welcome your audience to your presentation. Remember, this doesn’t need to be long. A short statement will work best.
3. Introduction
   After welcoming your audience, it’s now time to introduce yourself. Again, do not deliver a long speech. The audience is here for the information contained in the presentation and not to hear your story.
4. Purpose
   State the purpose of your presentation. Informing your audience why you intend to deliver this specific presentation helps them get a better understanding of the speech.
5. Questions
   Before getting into the core of the presentation, let the audience know how you’ll handle questions. It can be at the end of the presentation or all along.

Every presentation needs a clear introduction. Improving your presentation skills can help you gain the confidence you need to deliver successful presentations.