This week’s lesson is tied together by a Magic Show I saw recently and the movie Die Hard.
Focusing on the importance of capturing your audience’s attention from the get-go.
When you start the substantive part of your presentation, it is imperative that you have the attention of the audience.
You never want them to miss the first words that matter.
If they do – then the entire message is in jeopardy.
Yet this happens all the time.
- The audience are checking their phones
- The audience are finishing off a conversation
- Or any other distraction
They miss those early words.
I went to a Magic Show with my family recently.
It was an enjoyable day out.
But it started badly.
The announcer could not be heard clearly during the introduction to the show – their voice was muffled.
So there was minimal applause and many people did not realise the show had begun.
The magician was therefore a little hesitant at the start.
He was saved by the quality of the first magic trick.
Most presenters don’t have that option.
A few days earlier I had seen it done well in speeches in the film Die Hard.
Twice.
Early on in the film, Joe Takagi (the Executive from the Nakatomi Corporation) says this:
“Ladies and Gentlemen”
“Ladies and Gentlemen”
“I want to congratulate you…”
Mr Takagi realises there is still some ‘cocktail party chatter’ after the first time he says ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’ so he says it again.
As a result, everyone is paying attention when he starts the substantive speech.
This happens again later in the film when the main villain Hans Gruber gives his first speech.
“Ladies and Gentlemen”
“Ladies and Gentlemen”
[ pause ]
“Due to the Nakatomi Corporation’s legacy of greed…“
Conclusion
In every presentation…
For every audience…
Without exception…
You need their attention from the start.
If you do not have their attention yet, do not be bounced into starting.
Do something to draw then in.
Get their attention first.
Remember to never forget the importance of capturing your audience’s attention from the get-go.
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