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How to make a strong first impression with your audience
The Tony Robbins Effect
First impressions are an important aspect of life. People make snap judgements, and it can either set you up for success or create a negative perception of you. When it comes to speaking, you may have a short period of time to present, and so making a great impression from the first few seconds is an absolute must.
Let’s take Tony Robbins for example. He walks onto stage with his arms in the air, music blaring, riling up the crowd for a day of excitement. If you have been to one of his events or have watched his Netflix documentary ‘I Am Not Your Guru’, you will know the power of this approach.
This is a great example of first impressions for public speaking, but it does not necessarily fit every setting. I can’t imagine if it would go down well before presenting at a board meeting. There are, however, some things you can do that work in all cases.
Make people feel good
It’s why the Tony Robbins approach works so well — it inspires, it motivates, it makes people feel good. People remember how you make them feel. If it starts off with a great feeling you leave a lasting impression that is hard to beat. The best way to do that without a big song and dance is to smile. Simple yet effective.
