Learn how to create a strong and appealing introduction for your next presentation or pitch with Adobe Express.
The way you start a presentation holds a lot of power. Not only does it help you capture the audience’s attention from the get-go, but it can also leave a long-lasting impression even after the session ends.
Having trouble setting the right tone for your presentation? Not to worry. Here are a few handy tips on how to start your presentation strongly with Adobe Express.
Think of it this way: how you start your presentation is like watching the trailer to a movie. If the trailer doesn’t wow your audience, will they want to buy tickets to see your movie?
A strong presentation intro helps to:
There are several ways to start a presentation. And how you do so can depend on factors such as the purpose of the presentation and the target audience. Let’s look at different tips that can help you improve your openings today.
Introduce yourself and let the audience know more about you by providing your name, professional background, purpose of the presentation and more.
Regardless of your mode of presentation, crafting an attention-grabbing hook – such as a surprising stat or thought-provoking question – can pique the audience’s curiosity and set the stage for a memorable session.
Be crystal clear about the purpose of your presentation. In just a couple of sentences, communicate the subject matter, the objectives, and the value your audience will get.
Storytelling is the essential ingredient that distinguishes a captivating and engaging presentation from one with a lacklustre message. By weaving a personal story into the intro of your presentation, you can captivate your audience and keep them engaged.
If you’re not planning to share a personal story, work the crowd by asking them open-ended questions that require them to answer by standing up or raising their hand. This will really get your audience thinking, especially if the question challenges their preconceptions about the topic.
Enthusiasm can be contagious. By having an upbeat and vibrant approach when starting your presentation, you can elevate the energy levels to keep your audience wanting more.
Your audience not only listens to what you say, but also watches what you do. You can keep your audience’s gaze hooked to you by using stunning visuals and objects. This can be anything from a video to a prop that further adds a dramatic effect to your presentation.
Or take it a step further by using Adobe Express’s AI presentation maker to generate the right visuals and layout for your upcoming session.
One of the simplest ways to kickstart your presentation is to quote someone influential within the industry you’re presenting about. Don’t go for long, overly dry monologues – rather short, pithy and relevant quotes that can really capture your audience’s attention.
An intro with powerful words and imagery can work wonders for your presentation. This is where you make your first impression to your audience, so think carefully about the first few sentences when starting your presentation.
Here are a few strong openings that can complement, captivate, or add a professional touch to your presentation.
In some cases, being straightforward and moving right into the subject matter works best. For example:
“Good evening! My name is Alex Smith, and I’m here today to talk about how AI capabilities will be a game-changer for graphic design in the next 10 years. In fact, did you know that by 2030, AI will play an important role in XX% of all graphic design work…”
“As a graphic designer, you don’t want AI to replace what you do. You want to work smarter rather than harder, and here’s how integrating AI into your projects can make your work better.”
“Stand up today if you believe that AI can make you a better graphic designer…”
“When I talk about AI in graphic design, I always think back to the first time I was tasked with designing a logo for [COMPANY]. This taught me three things about time efficiencies in graphic design… [Provide more context to your personal story].”
Ready to start building your own presentation? Adobe Express has a range of free presentation slides and slideshow templates to help you grab your audience’s attention from the get-go. Here’s how you can use the tools to create an effective opening:
If your presentation is focused on a specific topic or argument, you might want to open your presentation with a slide that highlights just that. You can create a title slide with bold typography and high-quality supporting visuals to make the subject really stand out.
Essentials to include in a title slide will be your presentation title, your name, the date and any relevant branding, such as your business or sponsor logo.
Prefer to spark some creativity or make your audience think before you delve into the presentation content? Start your presentation with a relevant quote that compliments your topic. For example, motivational quotes can work well for a training presentation.
Adobe Express makes it easy to add engaging graphics to your opening slides. Browse the library of images, illustrations and animations to add some creative flair to your presentation theme. You could include an animated version of the product you’re talking about, or a witty graphic that gets the audience talking and thinking before you’ve even started.
One of the best ways to start a presentation is to get your audience involved right away. An easy way to do that is by starting off with a question slide that invites them to think, discuss or interact. You can use dynamic text effects to make your question stand out, then get the audience to vote or answer.
If you’re starting your presentation with a relatable story, your opening slides should reflect this. Add photos, infographics or even a timeline that you can refer to as you tell your story. This visual aid can then help those in the audience that process information in a different way.
Say you’re going to pose a new theory, reveal some new research or introduce a new product – you might not want to reveal it right away. Instead, you could include an opening slide that teases your audience by hinting at the topic, or asking them a relevant question.
You could use phrases like “What if…”, “Did you know…” or “Imagine a world where…”. Combine with relevant visuals to build anticipation.
Looking for an initial slide design that focuses on what the presentation will cover? Build out an agenda or timeline, complete with icons for each section and a clear breakdown of timings, presenters and breaks. This can be particularly useful for training days or client presentations.
You could even build momentum before you start the presentation with a countdown slide. Use Adobe Express’ animation features to create your own countdown.
