Every great presentation begins with a great presentation opener. My problem has always been that my openers are pretty dry. After reading Made to Stick, I have put the power of story telling into practice. One of the keys to the art of telling a good story is knowing where to begin.

While seeking out ideas for openers, I ran across an article on the video professor web site that serves as a great guide to creating a dynamic opener.

The short list minus the explanations:

1. Ask a Rhetorical Question

2. Tell a Relevant Story

3. Introduce a Startling Statistic

4. Use a Comparative Analogy

5. Share a Humorous Anecdote

6. Peak the Audience Curiosity

7. Get Attention with a Gimmick

Your audience has had years of experience with presenter boredom. They are probably better at ignoring you than you are at grabbing their attention.