Never start a presentation by talking about yourself.
“Hi, I’m X. Here’s my background. Here’s my company.” It’s how most presentations begin, and it’s the quickest way to lose a room before you’ve really started.
Why opening with your bio doesn’t work
There are two reasons.
First, it’s boring. Your audience has seen that opening a hundred times. Nothing about it tells them this talk will be different.
Second, audiences are selfish. Not in a bad way. It’s human nature. In the first few moments, everyone in the room is asking one question: what’s in this for me?
Your job title doesn’t answer that. Your company history doesn’t answer that. So they stop listening and pick up their phones.
Open with their problem instead
Instead of opening with your credentials, open with the audience’s problem. Something like:
“This is a problem I know a lot of you have been dealing with. Today I’m going to show you how to solve it.”
Now I’m listening. Now I care, because you’re talking about me.
A strong opening can be a question, a short story, a surprising fact or a problem everyone in the room recognises. What they have in common is that they’re about the audience, not the speaker.
When to talk about yourself
You can still tell people who you are. Just do it after you’ve earned their attention, not before.
Once the room cares about the problem, your background becomes useful. It answers the next question they have: why should I listen to you on this? Placed there, your experience builds trust. Placed first, it just fills time.
What happens before you say a word
Your opening isn’t only the words. The audience is already making up their mind as you walk on: how you move, where you stand, whether you look at them. I’ve covered that side in how to open a presentation with confidence.
And if it does go wrong and you feel the room slipping away, here’s how to win an audience back.
Try it next time
Next time you present, don’t open with who you are. Open with what’s in it for them. You’ll feel the difference in the room straight away.
I’m Ben Hanlin, a keynote speaker, corporate host and magician. If your team could use some coaching on how to present with real impact, watch my keynote showreel or get in touch.
FAQs
What is the best way to start a presentation?
Open with the audience’s problem or a question that matters to them, so they know straight away what’s in it for them.
Should you introduce yourself at the start of a presentation?
Keep it brief, or save it until you’ve earned their attention. Your background is more useful once the audience cares about the problem you’re solving.