Crafting A Powerful Introduction (Part 1).

Written by Jake L. Thomas

Posted on August 3, 2025

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"The way you begin your speech or presentation doesn't just set the tone; it builds the very foundation of your connection."

Have you ever considered how many minutes or seconds you have to make a lasting impression at the start of your speech?

When I was starting out as a speaker, an entrepreneur told me I had only one minute to hook my audience. He said this was because one minute is the only time allotted for the human brain to capture its interest.

As I dug deeper into this subject, I learned that over time, human attention spans—our capacity for engagement—are becoming shorter.

Research by Dr. Gloria Mark at the University of California, Irvine, reveals that a person only lasts 47 seconds before losing focus on a single computer task. A separate study at Pennsylvania State University and Stanford University found that the median number of times participants engaged with their phone was 228, with each session lasting, on average, only 10 seconds.

For a more specific insight, consider the work of author and speaker Vanessa Van Edwards. On her quest to discover the secrets of successful TED Talks, she experimented with 760 volunteers. They were asked to rate hundreds of hours of TED Talks, looking for specific nonverbal and body language patterns. To ensure comparability, they limited their study to talks posted on TED.com in 2010 that were between 15 and 20 minutes long. Here's one of the experiment's key findings: Van Edwards says you have just seven seconds to make a first impression. This is the critical window that will broadly inform the audience's opinion about the speaker.

It's 2025, and everyone is on their screens; entertainment is more accessible than ever. People today might have an even shorter attention span than they did when these studies and experiments were conducted just a few years ago. Now, considering these facts, let's say on average you have only 21 seconds to make a lasting impression on your audience so they will lean in, engage, and listen. How would you craft your introduction?

In this series of blog posts, I'll be sharing how you can craft a powerful introduction that ensures you grab your audience's attention, build credibility and authority, and engage them throughout your speech or presentation.

First, we will define what an introduction is. Second, I'll show you the bad introductions you need to avoid. And third, I will walk you through the framework for crafting a strategic introduction. In this first post, we will cover the definition and a list of bad introductions. In my next post, I will cover the framework with examples.

Most of the discussions presented here are also discussed in my upcoming book, Speak to Influence: 12 Communication Strategies to Inspire and Lead Every Audience, specifically Strategy #7. You can check it out here.

My hope is that as you finish this first post, you will learn what to avoid when introducing your speech or presentation to ensure you hook your audience and establish credibility and authority as a speaker.

Let's dive in!

What is an Introduction?

In the context of public speaking, an introduction consists of your opening sentences, which are intentionally and strategically designed to grab your audience’s attention and set expectations. However, it doesn’t end there. The introduction is also an opportunity to establish your credibility and authority as a speaker. These two elements are what I believe most people miss. Most introductions focus on the topic but fail to build the speaker’s identity.

An introduction is a speech delivered at the start to set the foundation for both the topic and the speaker. Basically, it has three parts: the hook, the overview, and the promise. We will dig into these parts in the next post.

A bad introduction, however, is the opposite. It is an opening that pushes the audience away. These are statements delivered at the start that make anyone in the room feel uncomfortable, make the topic unclear, and make the speaker appear unprofessional, uninteresting, or less respected.

Before we master the three parts of an effective introduction, let's first identify the common mistakes that can derail a speech from the very start.

Let's take a closer look at different examples of bad introductions.

Let me say this in advance: Don't worry, you're not alone! I've made these mistakes, too.

Bad Introductions To Avoid

1. The “Full Apology Tour”

Opening your presentation with self-deprecating apologies such as "I didn't have much time to prepare..." or "I'm so nervous right now..." is not an admission of humility; these statements are often perceived as a confession of unpreparedness or a lack of confidence. This doesn't subtly lower the bar for your audience; it can collapse it entirely, signaling that you don't fully value this moment. If you won't take yourself seriously, why should your audience invest their valuable time and attention in you?

Imagine a doctor beginning a consultation with, "I'm not really a great doctor..." or a pilot announcing, "I'm so nervous right now..." The immediate response is a loss of trust and a desire to disengage. While nerves are a natural human experience, the microphone is not the appropriate venue for processing them. That precious opening moment belongs entirely to your audience and their need for your message, not to your personal anxieties.

Authentic presence means being genuinely yourself, but professionalism demands that your focus remains anchored on serving your audience, not on self-soothing or seeking their pity. True confidence isn't about pretending to be fearless; it's about being focused on the value you're about to deliver.

2. The “Boring Biography Recital”

While your accomplishments are valid sources of pride, launching into a lengthy recitation of degrees, positions held, awards, and acronyms at the very start of your talk is a swift path to audience disengagement. Especially when an emcee has already provided an introduction, repeating your résumé signals one of two things: either an underlying insecurity about your value (leading you to overcompensate) or an attempt to impress rather than connect.

Imagine a job interview where the candidate spends the first five minutes just reading their résumé. The interviewer, already familiar with the document, quickly loses interest in the live interaction. The same thing can happen on stage. When you focus on who you are instead of the value you can add, you risk ruining the moment. Avoiding lengthy background details is a sign of respect for the audience's time and helps keep them engaged.

The truth is, people aren't primarily asking, "What have you done?" in that opening moment. They are instinctively asking, "What can you do for me—right now?" and "Why should I spend this time to listen to you?" The key to keeping the audience engaged is to demonstrate your immediate value to them, making them feel that their time is well spent.

Your credibility is built far more effectively by demonstrating your expertise through immediate insight and relevance than by merely reciting qualifications. Insight builds trust and engagement faster than any title or past achievement ever will.

3. The “Over-Caffeinated Hype Machine”

I would say this is the type of introduction that scares me and makes me want to leave because what's coming may not be worth my time.

While high energy and enthusiasm are undoubtedly positive, an opening that bursts forth with artificial or overly aggressive hype—such as shouting "Are you ready!? I can't hear you! Let's go! Who's excited?!" in a corporate, civic, or professional setting—risks coming across as inauthentic, forced, or even inappropriate. It's crucial to remember that your audience deserves your genuine respect and that you value their time.

Imagine a conference beginning with a speaker who behaves as if they've just walked onto the stage of a game show. How would you react? It's not that genuine enthusiasm is bad; it's that forced enthusiasm or hype that strikes a discouraging tone. Audiences, particularly Filipinos, often possess a finely tuned radar for inauthenticity. They seek a grounded, respectful presence. Therefore, it's crucial to remember that authenticity is key in engaging the audience.

Real presence isn't built on loudness or artificial energy; it's built on grounded conviction and genuine connection. It conveys, "I am fully present for you. I am prepared. Let us engage thoughtfully and achieve something meaningful together." This authentic posture is how you draw people in—not by attempting to crank up the volume, but by clearly demonstrating and raising the inherent value of your message.

4. The “Uncomfortable Joke”

Humor, when delivered naturally and contextually, is a powerful tool for building connection and rapport. I admire speakers who are adept at weaving humor into their presentations or speeches. I aspire to do the same. However, I understand that humor is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It's essential to be authentic and genuine to yourself. For me, cracking jokes that don't align with my personality would feel forced and awkward, so I choose to focus on other aspects of my presentation.

Opening with a joke merely because you see it working for high-profile speakers or you think "great speakers start with humor" is an inherently high-risk gamble. This is especially true when the joke:

• Doesn't genuinely align with your authentic personality.

• Fails to directly support or introduce your core message.

• Requires your audience to already be "on your side" or to share a very specific, often unestablished, sense of humor.

  
  

When a forced or irrelevant joke falls flat, the silence that ensues is not just a pause; it's actively damaging. It creates immediate discomfort, shatters any budding rapport, and can label you as unpolished or out of touch from the outset. You've asked your audience to invest in a moment of levity that yielded no return, and the potential damage to your credibility is significant.

If authentic humor is genuinely one of your strengths, wield it thoughtfully and strategically. However, never use laughter as a crutch or a desperate attempt to gain favor. Start with meaning and genuine impact. If the audience finds authentic moments to laugh along the way, that's a bonus. But remember, when used strategically, humor can enhance your message and engage your audience, so it's worth considering if it's a tool that could work for you.

5. The “Irrelevant Expedition” Storyteller

Stories are undeniably sticky and potent vehicles for conveying messages. When used strategically, they can help release dopamine and oxytocin in the audience's brain, which makes them lean in, trust the speaker, and enjoy the discussion. However, not every anecdote or personal experience deserves the opening spotlight. An 'irrelevant expedition' story drifts, rambles, or, worse, has no direct and immediate bearing on your actual topic, wasting precious introductory time. It's crucial to remember that your audience is integral to your presentation, and every story should serve to connect with them.

Imagine waiting for a crucial meeting to begin, and the speaker starts with a ten-minute recounting of their recent vacation that has no clear link to the agenda. Or think of a speaker who, instead of diving into the topic, shares how she managed to get her puppy to the vet during a heavy rainstorm—a story that has nothing to do with the subject at hand. This kind of storytelling fails to build the necessary bridge between emotion and idea; instead, it becomes a self-indulgent detour. As a speaker, it's your role to guide your audience's journey, not take them on a self-indulgent detour. A story in an introduction is not a leisurely vacation for the speaker; it is a vehicle designed to transport your audience somewhere important, and it must do so swiftly and purposefully.

Before launching into any opening narrative, ask yourself: 'Does this story actively serve my message, moving the audience closer to the heart of my talk, or does it merely serve my ego or personal enjoyment?' If it's not directly contributing to the message's impact or relevance, it should be cut. However, if the story has some value but doesn't fit in the current context, consider repurposing it for a different part of your presentation or for a different audience.

6. The “Expressionless Robot”

Even before your meticulously crafted content is absorbed, your delivery is already speaking volumes. The power of your non-verbal cues, such as your tone, facial expression, eye contact, and posture, is immense. If these cues are not in sync with your message, your profound words will be significantly undermined. Remember, your non-verbal presence always speaks louder and faster than your verbal content.

It's important to remember that the human brain is wired to read facial expressions and body language in milliseconds. A monotone voice can quickly trigger a monotone attention, causing minds to wander. If your non-verbal cues (your face, your stance, your energy) silently communicate, "I'm uncomfortable here," or "I don't truly believe this," your audience will instinctively—and quietly—agree. Therefore, it's crucial to align your non-verbal cues with your message to keep your audience's attention.

Remember, you don't need to be theatrical or overly demonstrative. What you do need, however, is to be visibly present and authentically engaged. Your voice, eye contact, posture, and overall energy are not just integral components of your message, they are also the key to establishing a genuine connection with your audience. When these elements align with your intention to connect and deliver value, your audience will feel more engaged and connected.

7. The “Echoing Emcee”

I've witnessed this scenario unfold numerous times. From an audience's perspective, it can give the impression that the speaker is either stalling for time or disrespecting the emcee's efforts.

After a professional emcee has already provided a warm welcome and a summary of your background or the session's agenda, beginning your talk by re-reading information, offering a second welcome, or profusely thanking people who've already been acknowledged creates a sense of redundancy and delay.

Your audience is eagerly awaiting the start of your unique contribution. When you simply echo the emcee, it can feel like an unnecessary pause, a lack of originality, or even a slight disregard for the audience's time. You diminish the immediacy of your own unique value. Instead of starting with, "Thank you, John, for that introduction. And welcome, everyone, to today's session on..."—which is already known—immediately transition into a compelling question or a striking statement related to your topic.

A powerful opening is crucial. It builds on the momentum provided by the emcee, injecting new energy and unique value. This seamless elevation is how you expertly transition from the supporting role of a stagehand to the commanding presence of the primary speaker, captivating your audience from the start.

8. The “Technical Difficulties Tango”

We've all been there: the speaker grapples with the microphone, struggles to connect a laptop, or fights with slides that won't budge. This immediate technical struggle not only eats into precious opening moments but also chips away at the speaker's authority, turning the intended first impression into a live tech rehearsal.

When technical issues dominate the opening, the audience's focus shifts from the speaker's message to the unfolding problem. The authority and confidence you should project evaporate, replaced by an image of disarray. While technology is an inherent part of modern presentations, so too is meticulous preparation. This preparation is not just a formality, but a reassurance of your competence and readiness to handle any situation.

Being a true professional isn't about hoping for the best; it's about meticulous preparation and crucially, adaptability. Arriving early to test all equipment is a given. But what sets you apart is having a robust Plan B introduction ready—one you can deliver with zero slides, no microphone, and complete conviction. This calm adaptability in the face of unexpected technical glitches is a hallmark of seasoned expertise.

9. The “Statistic Tsunami”

While data can be theatrical and persuasive, it loses all impact when it's dumped on an audience like an undifferentiated spreadsheet at the very beginning of a talk. Providing context to your data is crucial. When you start with a barrage of numbers before your audience even understands the context or relevance of your topic, you quickly lose clarity, connection, and momentum.

Imagine being handed a complex financial report with hundreds of numbers without any introductory explanation. It's overwhelming and meaningless. As a presenter, your role is to guide your audience's understanding. Information without proper framing is just noise. One powerful, carefully chosen statistic, delivered with context and conviction, can jolt people awake and immediately highlight the significance of your topic. Ten, used poorly, can put them straight back to sleep as their brains disengage from the overwhelming data.

Data gains its power and resonance through precise framing and singular impact. The potential impact of your data presentation is significant. Lead with one compelling number. Allow it to land and sink in. Then, and only then, tell them what it truly means and why it matters. That is how you make data speak powerfully and stick in your memory.

Your First Moments Matter

These pitfalls aren't just about poor introductions—they're profound missed opportunities. When we start weak, we waste the only moment our audience is most open, most curious, and most ready to trust us. Your audience's trust is not just a commodity; it's the very foundation of your connection. But the good news is that moment can be won—deliberately and strategically.

An introduction is not merely a formality; it's an act of leadership. It's your first and best chance to lead your audience on a purposeful journey—not with excuses or distractions, but with conviction and clarity. The way you begin your speech or presentation doesn't just set the tone; it builds the very foundation of your connection. As we've seen, every opening misstep is a squandered opportunity. But the good news is that the moment can be won, deliberately and strategically. The power of a strong introduction should inspire and motivate you to perfect your opening.

In our next post, we will shift our focus from what to avoid to what to master. Because great introductions don't just start a speech—they fundamentally shape its trajectory and impact. This shift in focus presents a world of potential for improvement, offering hope and optimism for your future presentations.

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Jake L. Thomas

A social worker by profession, Jake leads the provision of technical assistance to social workers and Social Welfare and Development (SWD) professionals in Local Government Units, under one of the country’s premier SWD agencies. He is the founder of JLTHOMASPRO Training & Development Services. This platform delivers coaching, consultation, and capacity-building programs tailored for social workers, while also offering AI-powered and no-code web development solutions for offices and mission-driven businesses. Jake is the author of the upcoming book, Speak to Influence: 12 Communication Strategies to Inspire and Lead Every Audience—a practical guide designed to help SWD professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.