How To Hook Your Audience By Making Captivating Speech Openings.

What should be your opening and closing lines in a speech? If you've attended conferences, you've probably noticed that 19 out of 20 speakers begin in one of these ways.

“My name is Connor Neal. Today, I'm here from Tango to discuss the latest trends in monitoring tactics”

Each of you has a sheet of paper in front of you that says "Connor Neal, I hail from Ireland, and my focus will be on tango levels 0–4”.

Now, by starting with what's familiar, I'm signaling it's time to set aside your distractions. I've just suggested this is a chance to reconnect, check in on work via BlackBerry, maybe even plan your weekend. Another way to start could be, "How much time do I have left? Are the lights on? Is the microphone working?" You might chuckle now, but tomorrow, I promise you'll find someone who does just that.

They'll get a bit nervous, and understandably so—some are leaders in their field, yet they speak less confidently than your child presenting on giraffes at school.

Unfortunately, it seems there are only three ways to begin a speech. Imagine walking into a pub where people gather for networking, much like this room. You approach a group engaged in conversation. "Hi, I'm Connor. I'm 38, Irish, and I enjoy sailing and jogging." And just like that, they've moved on.

So how do you engage others when networking? The best approach might be simply walking up and saying, "I think we have a mutual acquaintance." Try it when someone approaches you with the same line. You may have done your homework and know of a mutual connection, but did you know LinkedIn can help identify these links with anyone?

So, how should a speech begin? One effective method is by posing a question that resonates with your audience's concerns. Another impactful way is to start with a surprising fact: "Did you know there are more people alive today than have ever died?" It makes you pause, reconsider.

And with Google at our fingertips, we can verify such claims in minutes—but for now, trust me, as I represent ESA and appear credible. People often ask, "Are you sure? How do they measure alive and dead?" But it's true, and not even close.

Yet, the best way to start a speech is like this, and I hope you'll consider using it moving forward: "Once upon a time..." We were all trained as children to recognize when a story was about to unfold. Even in business, it's a cue that captures attention.

For instance, when I tell my daughter, "Once upon a time," she leans in, ready to listen. It's a technique Jack Welch and Steve Jobs have used, in their own mature ways, without saying those exact words.

If you listen closely at networking events or dinners, you'll notice how speakers' styles vary. Just last October, in this very room, I spoke with a leading expert on public speaking. He said something that's stuck with me: "Say something that matters to me." That's the essence of effective speaking, I believe.

Now, let's take a brief break. Are you curious about what he said? People respond when they feel self-interest in sales, so share your personal stories. Why did you join? How did you see lives changed for the better?

Quality of life matters, both for your customers and yourself. Tell stories about people—not just products—and watch how your audience connects with you. Share the sacrifices made, the benefits reaped, and every detail that's in your document or PowerPoint. But first, they need to trust and care about you as a person.