How to Start your Presentation: 4 Step Formula for a Killer Intro

Have a presentation coming up? Want to hook you audience from the start? Then watch this Lighthouse Communications video that gives you a step by step formula to create interest in your topic, connect to your audience, and establish credibility.
Web: lhctraining.com
Email: [e-mail]
FB: @lhctraining
Written by Anne Ricketts
Edited by Michael Shehane
Produced by Lighthouse Communications

[@selmankoral5427]

Sum up: Step 1- The hook (1:35) Step 2- The transition (1:49) Step 3- Self-introduction (2:06) Step 4- Audience benefit (2:28)

[@sheilaparker4631]

Selman KORAL

[@sophia-rs6xu]

O thanks

[@Pearll_.]

Oh thx

[@lhctraining]

Thank you!

[@noorzadakumisbek440]

thanks

[@celeb99mu]

6 years later, and this video is the gift that keeps on giving. Exceptional content - thanks SO much.

[@lhctraining]

I can't believe it has been 6 years since we uploaded this video. It's our number one video. We have learned so much since then, Chris. Hope you have subscribed.

[@pwrfl2357]

Anyone notice she never said “uh” once?

[@lhctraining]

Practice makes possible! Thanks for noticing.

[@VincentNacon]

Uhh.... maybe? I don't know. Didn't pay any attention.

[@eunicaaquino8998]

bec she knows how to pause. to avoid uhh make pauses but not too long.

[@lhctraining]

@@eunicaaquino8998 exactly! learning when to pause is a great way to avoid using filler words like “uh.”

[@awore2543]

Teleprompters help too

[@vanessafiona1246]

Everytime I start my presentation I start laughing

[@lhctraining]

Take a few deep breaths before starting. This will ground you -- that way people will pay more attention to your content rather than your affect.

[@imaanhasbullah6020]

me too haha

[@CccLove]

So true

[@chrisyang1353]

me also bcuz im joker haha

[@prajnash.5477]

Lol

[@jananijana6544]

The way you broke down own video to help explain the idea really settled it in for me! good stuff :)

[@lhctraining]

Thanks for the comment. We prefer practical strategies!

[@abshirelmi3107]

Thanks my crummys one loves all my family's 💯🙏🙏🙏❤️🤞👍👍

[@PauloLemeAstronomia]

Wow!!! Awesome!!! I'm a retired professor on astronomy but I do about 12 lectures a year for pleasure, in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Although quite experienced, I realize the amazing improvement I can get with your killer intro method and I just set up one for my next talk on Black Holes. Thanks for you kind generosity to share it with us.

[@lhctraining]

Paulo- Thank you for sharing. Let us know how your talk goes with this new intro. Best of luck. - Anne

[@zenchestnuts]

So useful! I wish I'd found this video months ago. I'm doing this huge project(for me) which involves a lot of chapters. With everything filmed but the intro at the beginning , and for each chapter I've been procrastinating on it for ages..... As you said in the video , bursting straight in about yourself, who you are your name ..... i'm already bored just listening to it coming out of my own month! The trick is balancing a calming topic(my theme) without putting your audience asleep after 20 seconds... You are so good that you smile without it seeming a smile! it just flows.

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for your comment! How did it all turn out?

[@birame2008]

OHHH MY GOD!! YOU ARE A SAVIOR, I HAVE A MEETING IN THREE DAYS AND ITS THE BIGGEST BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY IVE HAD IN YEARS, THIS IS AMAZING

[@lhctraining]

Good to hear! Good luck! Let us know how it went.

[@thelmabukikun1485]

I am having a presentation tomorrow.. this is very helpful. thank you

[@addictaedtokookie1622]

Hope it went well 🥰🥰

[@sergioquinche7700]

how did it go? I am curious

[@ohmarthin2324]

I think bro is okay now

[@danielhermansyahh]

i'm going to do a public speaking 101 seminar tomorrow. and i still learned a great thing from you that improved my introduction. well done, respect and thanks a lot :)

[@lhctraining]

Thank you Daniel for your comment! The video almost has 1 million views:-) Celebrating by giving everyone a comment.

[@Princess_kehaa]

I love how you not only taught us, but also showed us! thanks a lot!!

[@lhctraining]

Showing is where it’s at. Thanks for comment Zoe.

[@lorenzoarodriguez6048]

Thank you for this fantastic video. After watching it 4 times, I re-wrote my introduction and added a slide of what were the three main topics of my presentation. I feel The audience paid a lot more attention because your video helped me develop and hold the audience’s interest to the very end.

[@lhctraining]

That is great news! Celebrate!!

[@gyrfalconer1]

I've spent the weekend reviewing videos like this for an my upcoming presentation. I've now watched this one several times. It is the best one I've seen! Great content, easy to understand and implement. Thank you!!

[@lhctraining]

Great to hear Lee! Thank you for the compliments. “Great content, easy to understand and implement” is what we are all about!

[@zzlee08]

Some good advice I received lately is, record yourself talking on the fly about anything. First just listen to how you speak, then re watch the video on mute to see how you look while presenting. This is the worst paraphrase, but I tried LOL

[@jaburollup]

Same! Watched it before my presentation now watching it for the second time on my way to my presentation 💯

[@glidehome4693]

Almost 4 years later and this is still helpful and helping! Thank you!

[@lhctraining]

Wahoo! What a great comment to receive. The formula still works after all these years. Thanks for letting me know.

[@bibhudattamishra3715]

OMG....This is a killer advice.......I just loved it! Thanks for educating us.

[@lhctraining]

Our video has saved thousands of students the night before their big presentations. So humbled and grateful!

[@discover9913]

Simple and easy to understand ......I loved the flow

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for the comment, DIS COVER

[@patriciamoodley2900]

I used a killer introduction at a Seminar, sharing my testimonial, it got a very positive from the highest qualified Entrepreneur in the room. Thank you Thank you Thank you

[@lhctraining]

You’re very welcome!!! That’s fantastic.

[@cokeacola0669]

Thank you this will defenity help me and with my speech I am a year seven and have no clue about writing great speechs and this will be amazingly affective for my work again thank you!!!

[@lhctraining]

Now that you are 8, have you seen improvement in your speech writing?

[@marisajacobs2530]

Thank you! This is so simple to do and I can already see what a big difference it will make to my presentation! Well explained and well presented!

[@lhctraining]

Happy to hear the video was helpful, Marisa

[@jackmccann3451]

Thank you for this! I'm really bad at intros and hooks, and I had a school speech due, and this helped a lot!

[@lhctraining]

Happy to hear that the video helped. Hopefully you've seen some improvement over the years

[@CelAmade]

Thanks for sharing in such a clear and concise way 🌟Love your energy Anne.

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome! Thanks, Cel.

[@user-kd2hs7wi6h]

Thank you so much! I literally used your practical method “The hook, transition, self intro, and audience benefit” and you know what? I killed my audience 😂😂😂 I meant they loved it. Thank you again for your help. Highly recommend to everyone.

[@lhctraining]

Great news! Yes, the formula works for us every time. Glad to share it with you:-)

[@rcafmaintainer3723]

I like it. I usually ask a thought provoking question related to the topic. An ice breaker if you will.

[@lhctraining]

Sounds like a great plan to build a connection with your audience and get them thinking on the topic

[@gc2512]

4 minutes of pure effectiveness, i don't know why youtube suggested this video to me, but this is pure gold. Thank you

[@lhctraining]

Great feedback. Thank you for commenting.

[@exquisitesplendor7175]

Thanks you for this! I got so many ideas at once, and now I have great ways not only to redo some videos, but for my FB events, such as the description, picture/video theme, posts in the events, and for my FB lives. Ann(e), you're great, thanks!

[@lhctraining]

You're very welcome! I hope this formula has take your videos to the next level!

[@AbdullahArRafi]

Awesome one! You didn't only say what should be done, you've shown them through practical examples! That's gonna help a lot! Thanks a lot for being so informative and precise, you're awesome!

[@lhctraining]

Thank you Abdullah! Theory is great. Practical tips help people plan new habits.

[@The7551]

You can this techniques to writing!! Great way in getting a “A” for a written assignment.

[@darkrangerl]

How so? Xo

[@lhctraining]

Yes, use this formula for writing the introduction for an essay. Put your best example or evidence that supports your main idea into the first few sentences of your essay, so your teacher and peers immediately understand your point. Thank you for your question.

[@alexanderlyon]

Great stuff! Excellent advice. Cool editing, too. Nice way to bring it back around. :-)

[@lhctraining]

Thanks so much!

[@npstudentmagazine5571]

By far the best step-by-step guide for starting a presentation we've come across. Thank you.

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for your comment!

[@gilmoreleano9120]

Thank you so much for this tips :) It would help me a lot for my thesis defense this coming monday :) I'll rate you 110/100

[@ManojKumar-cj7oj]

What kind of thesis , boy ?

[@lhctraining]

How did it go? 3 years later, what do you remember?

[@amberw6824]

I really like the way you explain, short and simple. I'm going to use this method. Thanks a bunch.

[@lhctraining]

You’re welcome a bunch!

[@mallick376]

I can't wait now. It's just amazing and felt super natural. Great job .

[@lhctraining]

Thank you Adam's Son!

[@SeanLinhk]

Great Take away. Easy to implement. Awesome!

[@lhctraining]

Thanks for watching my video, Sean. Glad to hear that my take away is easy to implement!

[@lhctraining]

Thanks Sean!

[@rcolligan]

Killer formula ! It's so easy to default to the traditional, predictable, boring intro that 99% of speakers use. Thanks for breaking down a more effective method for introductions. I am going to challenge myself to improve my intros by utilizing your framework.

[@lhctraining]

Over the past 2 years, has the formula helped?

[@cw3drones]

This was a great video training clip. I can't wait to integrate this in my next talk! Thanks for providing this simple to do and easy to understand tips on improving my presentation.

[@lhctraining]

You’re very welcome. Good luck!

[@ololadeolaleye8185]

I'm currently preparing for an oratory speech and I'm glad i found your video just in time. I have been able to restructure my intro and it sounds intriguing. Thank you for sharing this tips.

[@lhctraining]

So glad that our video helped you craft an intriguing hook! Let us know how your speech goes!

[@sammynacion2366]

wow brilliant idea! i'm gonna try this!!!

[@lhctraining]

How did it go?

[@jancelgraypineda4989]

thanks for this ideas it sure is really helps me in an speech i made and presented in front of the audience

[@lhctraining]

Great to hear Jancel!

[@nhxmansumagang393]

Simple but useful, no uneccessary punchlines. Big help! Thanks 👍

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome

[@robertarthropthesecond]

Short and on the point, LOVE IT!

[@lhctraining]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Tomboymarcus]

I must say, using the tactics labelled in this video to draw me in was smart. I definitely got hooked. A very helpful video considering how stuck I was with writing my speech.

[@lhctraining]

Glad it was helpful!

[@whiteeyedshadow8423]

Haha!she has "hooked" us in her presentation.thats a good example of a good presentation.great content too.

[@lhctraining]

Hook line and sinker!

[@desisto007]

Just followed your formula and it was the first time a left a presentation felling so good about the results! Thanks you! You are awesome!

[@lhctraining]

That is fantastic!

[@juliamassey7643]

Hey Anne! Your tips helped me to plan my presentation for a job interview and I got the job! I'm now planning a presentation about my career - in particular Storytelling to 13 - 14 year olds - some with special needs and I'm back watching you AGAIN for tips! Thank you for sharing your brilliance! Julia :)

[@lhctraining]

What fantastic news! So glad we could help you. If you ever have any questions, ask us and maybe that will become the topic for a future video. Good luck with your next presentation! You’ve got this!

[@amightyo]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome Dr. Mighty Itauma Itauma

[@KateEmiley]

Very clever!! I’m going to try this out :)

[@lhctraining]

How did it go?

[@coolisfoolable]

finally someone broke it down in a logical step-by-step process! Thanks so much!

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome!

[@TheRedapples12]

Great introduction - short, powerful and to the point! Thanks!

[@lhctraining]

Thanks Elma!

[@mohammadrahman3296]

I love how you demonstrated these things in your video!

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for noticing!

[@Mrs_Yvonne_Afreh]

This is awesome. Thanks for these four steps. I feel very confident about my presentation today now. Wish me lack ❤️

[@lhctraining]

How did your presentation go with the new intro? - Anne

[@boydegg]

Short, snappy, clear, no waffle. Love it!

[@lhctraining]

Glad you liked it!

[@kirtipandya656]

I did the way you explained to do the introduction and my presentation was appreciate by my professors and was said as the best out of all. Thanks a lot.

[@lhctraining]

That is so awesome, Kirti! Thanks for sharing your success with us.

[@kirtipandya656]

You are amazing mam.

[@judithcatindoy8018]

wow! thank you for this lesson I've learn so much, the killer introduction is so effective and capturing to the audience

[@lhctraining]

Happy to help, Judith!

[@Hereforknowledge]

This is amazing and it really helped me deliver my last value proposition. it does take some time to build a personal hook out of your own story and i loved to watch this video several times until i was able to write one for myself. I did great at the last presentation. While I am still trying to refine my story for a different meeting, I always come back and watch this video again and again ... and each time it gives me a great idea again. Thanks so much. really helpful and amazing...

[@lhctraining]

So glad you found it useful! Thank you! - Anne

[@blue_pullover]

I studied several of your videos to prepare for an interview, and it helped me a lot. Thank you!

[@lhctraining]

Great to hear Elena!

[@TheNyxmaster]

Choking how you can say so much valuable things in such a short time... That's pro work right there !!

[@lhctraining]

Thank you! Brevity, clarity, relevance are within reach. Hope to inspire!

[@Mrbriangalvan]

Thanks for this video!! I laughed as the very first thing you said I do 😂 time to update my methods!!

[@lhctraining]

Yes, some habits are prevalent in the workplace. But just because everybody else is doing it doesn't mean that we should too.

[@towaniisme]

Your own hook and introduction!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@lhctraining]

Towani, thank you for your comment. I like owning my content!

[@svetlinburgudzhiev2235]

Thank you! I am very happy to know that they are people, like you, who are making such helpful videos. Thank you! It is absolutely helpful.

[@lhctraining]

So nice of you. Glad to help!

[@judithnamatovu5288]

You left me smiling from ear to ear, jotting in my note book. Thank You for sharing!

[@lhctraining]

You’re very welcome Judith!

[@jdmpieries8604]

One of the most helpful and concise videos I’ve seen! Excellent tips and great job being succinct 😊👍 Clever to summarize your own video to prove you stuck to your own advice 😃

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for the compliment, Mahen!

[@SpyrosMarc]

My thesis defense is tomorrow 😭 thanks for this video!

[@lhctraining]

Hope it went well!

[@claritymedialife]

7 years later and not only is this an absolute gem she is the one.

[@lhctraining]

Awwwww. Can’t believe 7 years has passed already!

[@ecatsss]

im gonna be giving a talk tomorrow to convince my audience to vote for me for a certain position and i feel just so ready after applying this method to my speech!! so excited for tomorrow and im ever so grateful for coming bumping into this ;))

[@lhctraining]

How did it go?

[@ritacurimenha7327]

Wow, so straight forward tips! Thanks a lot!

[@lhctraining]

Get to the point is our mantra!

[@Muhammadbilal-dp1qt]

The way you explain things is . . . . . . Amazing.i have seen many videos but your video is far more better. Keep it up

[@lhctraining]

Wonderful news! Thanks

[@readermode9916]

Your explanation takes the fear out of how to make a presentation. You have significantly reduced the level of difficulty involved in preparing and making a presentation. Excellent job!

[@lhctraining]

Wow! Thanks for the comment. Glad I could help.

[@aanubhavgupta]

You are simply awesome !! I'm minutes away from one of the largest 200+ people presentation i have to make, and this 4 min magic just made my day.

[@lhctraining]

Fabulous, Anubhav! Glad we could help!

[@ayo2437]

Wow!!! Genius!

[@lhctraining]

Thanks Ayo!

[@IbrahimAkindapo-cc2wt]

I used your techniques and it got me a second position in a debate. I never thought i would make it to top 3. I am really grateful. Thank you soooo much.

[@lhctraining]

Coooooooool. That’s good to know that the formula not only works for presentations but also for debates!

[@crystalgacha2218]

This video is the best one about intro presentations oml thank you!

[@lhctraining]

You're very welcome, Crystal! We are almost a 1 million views!

[@jessilo9460]

Definitely made notes to this awesome advice to catch the audience attention! Thanks so much! I’m going to update you after my presentations!

[@lhctraining]

Yes, please let me know how it went. You've got this!

[@gamerhino6806]

This was really helpful, Thank you!

[@lhctraining]

Glad to hear it was helpful!

[@rosetoynbee1659]

Thank you so much, this really helped me start my speech for class. xx

[@lhctraining]

You're very welcome, Rose! We are almost a 1 million views!

[@bhaktibhandari7379]

This is the most legit and perfect video with a perfect real-life example (the video intro itself!) I've ever seen

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for your comment Bhakti!

[@poojasingh-sl3hb]

It is going to be a game changer for many people who are engaged in giving frequent presentations. Keep up the good work.👍

[@lhctraining]

Thank you Pooja!

[@boropetrovic5444]

Awesome presentation! Excellent "Eat your own dog food" example!

[@lhctraining]

Thank you Boro! I call it "going meta."

[@MandhanAcademy]

ur amazing

[@lhctraining]

You're amazing, too!

[@sudiptakumargogoi8834]

Why your logo is similar to Myntra online retail app?

[@adarshpb1428]

@@sudiptakumargogoi8834 lol

[@adarshpb1428]

@@lhctraining have you visited that channel ?

[@lhctraining]

@@adarshpb1428 I searched for it but the logo is like an M. Am I missing something here?

[@alexokin6819]

This worked so well! I got promoted and the girl I like is going for me now because of my new position. You guys are the best, will definitely subscribe and give more presentations where I pretend I don't have social anxiety.

[@lhctraining]

Congratulations!

[@ebolano]

Great tips! They worked really well. Just tweaked the order and present myself first and kept the others in the same order. Thanks for sharing!

[@lhctraining]

I love how you adapted the formula. Yes, the rationale for not saying your name first is to make sure your audience knows your presentation is less about you and more about the ideas. I can imagine situations that would ask me to start with my name!

[@personality7796]

You saved me

[@lhctraining]

So happy to save so many people the night before a big presentation

[@Onez07]

Great info!!

[@lhctraining]

Our number one video! almost 2 million views!

[@sweetnaturaasmr8237]

Hi thanks for this video. I’m giving workshops and doing more speaking via social media. I just want to say your video helped me to tighten up how I want to present. Hope to keep learning more about this and other topics to improve my speaking and engagement with my audience.

[@lhctraining]

Thanks for the comment Peruvian Lilly! So happy to hear that this video has helped you share, in a clear and concise way, your story with the world. How to keep learning? 1) subscribe to our KZbin channel and follow us on Facebook/LinkedIn 2) Ask for feedback from workshop participants and social media followers 3) incorporate that feedback. My mantra is: I'm always practicing. Sometimes I'm practicing by myself in front of nobody. Sometimes I'm practicing in front of 100s of people. That learning mindset helps me stay present to how to can present and improve my speaking and engagement to my audience. Let me know if you have any questions... Contact me at [e-mail]

[@sigusigigi]

I used the steps in this video. This is very helpful, thank you. I also took a few deep breaths before I begin my presentation just like you shared in the comment section 💪

[@lhctraining]

Yay! Glad the video and my comments helped, Tarabas. Celebrate your successes!

[@ro5h_]

I used this and got an A for my speech. ty so much!

[@lhctraining]

Wahoo! Celebrate!

[@NooblantisDistrict]

Step 1 (Your Hook) 1:35 Step 2 (Transition to Topic) 1:49 Step 3 (Self Intro and Preview) 2:06 Step 4 (Audience Benefit) 2:28

[@lhctraining]

Thank you!

[@Aminterfi]

Thank you Anne , i like your steps for the presetation . keep going ,

[@jeremiahamatare]

This was superbly crafted. Nice work and thanks for the tips!

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome Jeremiah. Thanks for the comment

[@samanthagossman344]

Awesome!

[@lhctraining]

Appreciate your comment

[@ryanalcaide324]

Thank you very much...it help me so....

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome Ryan!

[@shawnbailey2300]

This was great! Thank you for the steps, they were straight forward and seems easy enough to follow.

[@lhctraining]

You’re very welcome Shawn. If you have a suggestion for what else we could break down into steps, let us know!

[@hanselpacheco9940]

I have a speech presentation using an artifact in my speech class next week, and thanks to this video, I now have an idea of how to start my speech. Thank you.

[@lhctraining]

Wonderful, Hansel. You're welcome.

[@hanselpacheco9940]

@@lhctraining I used your tips, and I got the full grade :) Thanks for these great tips.

[@deeyuris254]

Thanks! it's a lot of help for me as a beginner in teaching job..

[@lhctraining]

This formula for a hook works for every class I teach, too!

[@teedarlene4408]

this is very helpful! Than you!

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome!

[@yvonnestewart2863]

This is a game changer. I will watch this video a few more times, to make sure I have this down perfectly.

[@lhctraining]

Nice! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@user-gu2ns1sf9o]

I love the 4 step formula presentation. As you mentioned it in the video, we can do better. Thank you for creating this type of content for us.

[@lhctraining]

You're very welcome!

[@rutkhanrutkoch7913]

great thank

[@lhctraining]

You're welcome Rutkhan

[@asmaalsabi6517]

me not wanting to sound awkward in the beginning of my grammar presentation lol

[@lhctraining]

You’ve got this! Yay for grammar presentations!

[@marylyn9454]

Great video. The hook as step 1 is so important to engage the audience right away.

[@lhctraining]

Absolutely!

[@eleanorhoh]

Thanks Ann for this PERFECT FORMULA HOOK! I’m going to apply to my KZbin videos. I think this can apply to any genre. Hope to find one where you cover the Outro!

[@lhctraining]

Thank you for the comment, Eleanor! Yes - it’s applicable to presentations, KZbin Videos, and even essays. For an effective outro, two quick tips: 1) circle back to the content in the hook and 2) give specific next steps.

[@TruckieLuckie23]

Ima try this now kinda hyped up my classmates on how amazing my informative speech is going to be so I have a expectation to pass now 😭😩

[@lhctraining]

How did it go? Hope your presentation lived up to the hype!