It has been estimated that an audience decides whether or not a speaker is worth listening to in a matter of seconds. So it is important to grab hold of the group right out of the box. Here are several helpful hints for making a strong start.

*Choose an interesting topic that commands attention. Focus on what is timely and newsworthy.

*Don’t just read from a script. Set down your notes or index cards and start talking.

*Have an opinion. Do not merely recite facts.

*Organize your thoughts in a logical manner. The speech should have a beginning, a middle and an end.

*Keep it simple and keep it short. After you have practiced your speech several times, try to shave a few minutes off the presentation.

This is a case where less is usually more. Try to structure your speech to last only as long as the audience’s attention span.