How do you start a presentation?

Open with one sentence that gives the audience a reason to listen: a question, a number, a short story, a clear claim or, in a business update, the agenda. Then say who you are and what you'll cover. Thanks, housekeeping and your biography can wait until after that first sentence.

What is a good opening line for a presentation?

One that fits the room. For a status meeting: “The short version: we're on track for the 30th.” For a pitch: “In about ten minutes, I'm going to ask you for money.” For a classroom talk, a show-of-hands question usually works. A good line is short enough to say in one breath.

How do I introduce myself in a presentation?

Give your name, your role and one reason this audience should listen to you, in two or three sentences: “I'm [name], I run the [team] team, and for the next twenty minutes I'm going to talk about [topic].” If a host has already introduced you, thank them and go straight to the topic.

How do I start a presentation in English if it isn't my first language?

Learn your first three sentences by heart and say them slowly. Short sentences are easier to say and easier to follow. You can mention once that English is your second language and invite people to stop you. After that, don't apologize for it again.

How long should a presentation opening be?

About thirty seconds for a talk of up to twenty minutes, and up to a minute for a longer one. At a normal pace of 130 to 160 words a minute, thirty seconds is roughly 65 to 80 words.

How can I practice my opening?

Out loud, standing up, with a timer. Record it once and listen for where you speed up. You can also practice in SayNow AI: choose the public speaking scenario, deliver your opening by voice, and you get a score with suggestions afterwards.

Presentation opening lines: 45 examples for how to start a presentation

To start a presentation, give the audience a reason to listen in your first sentence: a question, a number, a short story, a clear claim or the agenda. Greetings and your name come second. Below are 45 opening lines you can use as written, sorted by technique.

Last updated: October 14, 2026

Each line comes with a note on when it works, because a line that suits a team update can fall flat in a client pitch. Text in [square brackets] is for you to fill in. That includes every number: use a figure you can source, and say where it comes from if someone asks.

After the openers you'll find ten closing lines that end with a call to action, the first sentences worth dropping, and three complete 30-second openings for a team update, a client pitch and a classroom talk.

45 opening lines by technique

Choose the technique that fits your audience first, then the line. One opener is enough.

Start with a question

A question makes people answer in their heads before they decide whether to listen. Ask it, then stay silent for two full seconds. Most speakers rush on and waste it.

How many of you sat through a meeting this week that could have been an email?
When it works: Internal audiences who know each other. Wait for the hands and the laugh before you go on.
What would you do with five extra hours a week?
When it works: Any talk about saving time or removing work. It lets people picture the benefit before you explain how.
When did a customer last tell you exactly what they think of us?
When it works: Sales and service teams, when your talk is about customer feedback.
Quick show of hands: who has used [tool or product] in the last month?
When it works: You need to know how much the room already knows before you choose how deep to go.
What is the one thing that would make your job easier tomorrow morning?
When it works: Workshops and small groups where two or three people can answer out loud.
If we changed nothing, where would this project be in six months?
When it works: You are about to propose a change and want the audience to see the cost of staying put.

Start with a surprising fact (you supply the number)

A number works only if it is true and the audience hasn't heard it. Fill the brackets with a figure from your own data or a source you can name. Never estimate on stage, and never round in your favor.

Last quarter, [number] of our new customers left within their first month.
When it works: You have an internal figure most of the room hasn't seen yet.
It takes us [number] days to answer a support ticket. Our closest competitor does it in [number].
When it works: A comparison you can back up with a source, in front of people who can act on it.
According to [source], [number] out of ten people in this industry [fact].
When it works: External audiences. Naming the source in the same sentence makes the number believable.
This project has cost us [amount] so far. Let me show you what we got for it.
When it works: Budget reviews. Saying the cost yourself is better than waiting for someone to ask.
In the time it takes me to give this talk, [number] [things] will have happened.
When it works: You want to make a rate tangible. Do the arithmetic beforehand and keep it on a note.
We have spent [number] hours on this since January. Today you'll see what came out of it.
When it works: Project reviews in front of the people who approved the time.

Start with a story

Keep it under a minute, tell it in the order it happened, and make sure the last sentence of the story is the first point of your talk. If it isn't, cut the story.

Three weeks ago, a customer called me at seven in the morning.
When it works: The story ends in the problem your presentation solves.
The first time I presented to this group, my laptop died on the second slide.
When it works: You know the audience and can laugh at yourself. Skip it with strangers.
Let me tell you about the worst project I ever worked on.
When it works: Lessons-learned talks and training sessions.
Last Tuesday, someone on our team did something that changed how I see this problem.
When it works: You want to give a colleague credit. Ask them first.
When I started in this job, I was sure that [belief]. I was wrong.
When it works: Your talk is about changing your mind, and you want the audience to feel free to change theirs.
Picture a Monday morning in our warehouse.
When it works: The audience doesn't know the setting you're going to describe. Tell it in the present tense.

Start with a bold statement

Say one sentence the audience doesn't expect, then prove it. The proof has to be on your next slide, or the statement turns into a slogan.

Most of what we report every month, nobody reads.
When it works: You are proposing to cut or simplify something. Have the evidence ready.
We don't have a sales problem. We have a follow-up problem.
When it works: You want to reframe a problem everyone thinks they already understand.
By the end of this talk, I want you to disagree with me about at least one thing.
When it works: Audiences that like to debate, and sessions with discussion time.
This project is behind schedule, and I'm going to show you exactly why.
When it works: You have bad news. Saying it first earns more trust than letting it surface on slide twelve.
In about ten minutes, I'm going to ask you for money.
When it works: Pitches and budget requests. It's honest, and it usually gets a smile.
Everything I'm about to say fits on one slide. Here it is.
When it works: Senior audiences with little time, who want the conclusion first.

Start with the agenda (business updates)

In a status meeting nobody wants a hook. They want to know what you'll cover, how long it will take and what you need from them. Give the answer first and the detail after.

I have three things for you today: where we are, what's blocking us, and what I need from you.
When it works: Weekly and monthly updates. The third item keeps people listening.
The short version: we're on track for the 30th. The next ten minutes are the detail.
When it works: Status reports. People who only needed the headline can relax.
I need one decision from this group today, and I'll tell you what it is right now.
When it works: Decision meetings. The audience listens differently when they know what they'll be asked.
Here's what has changed since we last spoke.
When it works: Recurring meetings, when most of the context is already known.
I'll take fifteen minutes and leave fifteen for questions.
When it works: Time is tight, and you want people to hold their questions.
Good news first, then the problem, then what we do about it.
When it works: Mixed results. The order tells them a problem is coming and that you have a plan.
Last month you asked me for the numbers on [topic]. Here they are.
When it works: You're following up on a request. It reminds the room why you are presenting.

Introduce yourself

Name, role, and one reason this audience should listen to you. Three sentences is the limit. If someone has just introduced you, don't repeat your biography.

Good morning. I'm [name], and I run the [team] team. For the next twenty minutes I'm going to talk about [topic].
When it works: The default for an external audience that doesn't know you.
I'm [name]. I've spent the last [number] years working on [field], which is why I was asked to talk to you about [topic].
When it works: Your experience is the reason they should listen. One sentence of it is enough.
My name is [name], and I'm the person who sends you those reminder emails.
When it works: Internal audiences who know your name but not your face.
For those who don't know me, I'm [name] from [department]. For those who do, hello again.
When it works: Mixed rooms, part colleagues and part new faces.
I'm [name], and I'm here because of a mistake I made in [year].
When it works: You're going to combine your introduction with a story.
Thank you, [host's name]. As you heard, I'm [name], and today I want to show you [topic].
When it works: You've just been introduced. Thank the host and move straight to the topic.
Hello everyone, I'm [name]. English isn't my first language, so please stop me if anything isn't clear.
When it works: You are presenting in English as a second language. Say it once, calmly, and don't apologize again.

Open a virtual meeting

Online, the first minute goes to sound checks and late arrivals. Decide in advance what you will say during it, so it doesn't sound like waiting.

Hello everyone. Can you hear me and see my screen? A thumbs-up is enough.
When it works: The first ten seconds. Check once, then move on.
While people are still joining, type in the chat where you're calling from.
When it works: Large calls. It fills the wait and gets people used to the chat.
We'll start in one minute. In the meantime, here is the question I'm going to ask you at the end.
When it works: People are arriving late, and you want those already there to have something to think about.
I'll keep this to twenty minutes. Put your questions in the chat as we go, and I'll answer them at the end.
When it works: You want to set the rules before anyone unmutes mid-sentence.
I can't see your faces, so every five minutes I'll stop and ask whether you're still with me.
When it works: Cameras are off and you won't get any visual feedback.
Before I share my screen, let me say in one sentence why we're here.
When it works: You want people to look at you before they look at a slide.
This call is being recorded for the people who couldn't join. Hello to them too.
When it works: Recorded sessions. It tells everyone, and it's friendlier than a notice.

10 closing lines with a call to action

The last sentence is the one people take out of the room. End on what you want them to do, and say by when.

So here is what I'm asking for: approve the budget by Friday, so we can start on the 1st.
When it works: Decision-makers are in the room and you need a yes.
If you remember one thing from today, make it this: [your main point]. The first step is [action].
When it works: Longer talks, where the audience needs a single takeaway.
I need one decision before we leave this room: option A or option B?
When it works: Meetings that tend to end without a result.
Try it once this week: [specific action]. Then tell me how it went.
When it works: Training sessions and workshops.
The sign-up sheet is at the back. Put your name down before you go.
When it works: You want volunteers. Asking for it now beats a follow-up email.
I'll send the summary this afternoon. Reply by Wednesday with your comments.
When it works: Reviews, when you need feedback from people who won't speak up in the meeting.
I started with a question: [repeat your opening question]. My answer is [answer]. Now I'd like to hear yours.
When it works: You opened with a question and want to lead into the discussion.
We can keep doing what we do now, or we can try this for one quarter. I'm asking for the quarter.
When it works: You're proposing a change and the audience is cautious.
My contact details are on this slide. If you want a demo for your team, write to me today and we'll set a date this week.
When it works: Client pitches and conference talks.
That's the plan. Who's in?
When it works: Small teams that know each other well.

Opening lines to avoid

None of these is a disaster. Each one spends the most attentive ten seconds you'll get on something that doesn't help you.

Sorry, I'm a bit nervous.
Most of the audience hadn't noticed. Now they'll look for it.
I didn't have much time to prepare.
It lowers expectations and tells people their time wasn't worth your preparation.
Is this thing on? Can everybody hear me?
As your very first words in a room, it shows you didn't check. Test the microphone before people sit down. Online, one quick check is fine.
I know you're all busy, so I'll try to be quick.
It apologizes for the talk before it has started. Say how long you'll take, and keep to it.
Today I'm going to talk about… (and then reading the title slide).
They can read. Use the first sentence for something that isn't on the screen.
The dictionary defines [topic] as…
It has been used so often that people stop listening by the fourth word.
Bear with me, there's a lot of text on these slides.
If you know it's a problem, fix the slides. If you can't, don't point at it.
A joke you haven't tried on anyone.
If it lands, you've gained little. If it doesn't, you start the talk in silence.

Three complete 30-second openings

At a normal speaking pace of 130 to 160 words a minute, thirty seconds is about 65 to 80 words. Each of these is within a few words of that range.

Team update

Weekly project meeting, eight colleagues, fifteen minutes on the agenda.

Morning, everyone. Short version first: we're on track to ship on the 30th.

I have three things today. Where we are, the one thing that's blocking us, and a decision I need from this group before we finish. I'll take ten minutes, then questions.

Let's start with where we are. Two weeks ago we had fourteen open issues. Today we have five.

Client pitch

Second meeting with a prospective client, five people on their side.

Good afternoon, and thank you for having us. I'm [name], and I lead the delivery team at [company].

When we spoke in March, you told us that new customers wait [number] days for their first order. We've spent the last month looking at why.

In the next twenty minutes I'll show you what we found, what we would change, and what it would cost. If anything is unclear, stop me right away.

Classroom presentation

Eight-minute talk in front of the class, with the teacher grading.

Hi, I'm [name], and my topic is [topic].

A quick question before I start: who here has [done something related to the topic] this week? Keep your hand up if it was more than once. That's most of us.

So today I'm going to answer one question: [your question]. I'll do it in three parts: what it is, why it matters, and what you can do about it. There's time for your questions at the end.

Say your opening out loud before the real thing

In SayNow AI you can pick the public speaking or self-introduction scenario and deliver your first thirty seconds by voice. When you finish, you get a score and suggestions on fluency, structure, fit for the situation and whether you reached your goal.

Free to download · iOS and Android

Frequently asked questions

How do you start a presentation?: Open with one sentence that gives the audience a reason to listen: a question, a number, a short story, a clear claim or, in a business update, the agenda. Then say who you are and what you'll cover. Thanks, housekeeping and your biography can wait until after that first sentence.
What is a good opening line for a presentation?: One that fits the room. For a status meeting: “The short version: we're on track for the 30th.” For a pitch: “In about ten minutes, I'm going to ask you for money.” For a classroom talk, a show-of-hands question usually works. A good line is short enough to say in one breath.
How do I introduce myself in a presentation?: Give your name, your role and one reason this audience should listen to you, in two or three sentences: “I'm [name], I run the [team] team, and for the next twenty minutes I'm going to talk about [topic].” If a host has already introduced you, thank them and go straight to the topic.
How do I start a presentation in English if it isn't my first language?: Learn your first three sentences by heart and say them slowly. Short sentences are easier to say and easier to follow. You can mention once that English is your second language and invite people to stop you. After that, don't apologize for it again.
How long should a presentation opening be?: About thirty seconds for a talk of up to twenty minutes, and up to a minute for a longer one. At a normal pace of 130 to 160 words a minute, thirty seconds is roughly 65 to 80 words.
How can I practice my opening?: Out loud, standing up, with a timer. Record it once and listen for where you speed up. You can also practice in SayNow AI: choose the public speaking scenario, deliver your opening by voice, and you get a score with suggestions afterwards.