Now that I have the audience's attention I want to connect with them, give them reasons for hearing what I will say. While the content and structure vary with each program three goals seem essential: (1) Introduce the topic and it's significance; (2) Establish my credibility on it; (30 Invite the audience to join in the experience. For example, if I was delivering a program on storytelling to speakers my opening could be...

“Of all the speaking opportunities we will experience I'm convinced storytelling offers the greatest challenge and... when well done... the audience benefits for many reasons. Primary among them is that each of us, everyone, is living a story, one similar to, yet distinctly different from all others. Also, when we understand the stories of how successes are achieved their essence may permeate our very being.

“When asked how I became a storyteller I usually say, jokingly, “I told my first story the day my Mom gave me a stern look and said, “Where have you been and what have you been doing? That usually gets a laugh, maybe because it's a common experience... and there's truth in it... we humans are storytellers. I think it's a part of our DNA.”

“I became a serious storyteller in 1957 when the Air Force assigned me as a technical instructor teaching electronics fundamentals and radar maintenance in training sessions of six hours a day, five days a week lasting for three weeks. Any student who thrives during ninety hours of electronic and radar instruction without stories adding relevance, is a more focused learner than I.”

“There's a problem explaining how to create and deliver compelling stories, however. It's an art form and excellent artists, storytellers included, develop original material using acknowledged basics which is what I'll cover in this storytelling session.”

That is one way to open a storytelling program. There are others... many... each one setting the stage for the program to come. The best one is the one a speaker creates from their worldview for the specific audience they will be addressing.