Your first move when public speaking is crutial to the entire speech

Typically there Is not a drum roll as we come forward to the podium or platform.

Alright. So you do get a drum roll whenever you get up? In that event I'm not addressing you, but to all the rest of us who generally do not get one.

We then have to produce our personal atmosphere, sense of interest, exhilaration.

It's widely understood that the first few seconds, perhaps ten that a speaker spends on the stage are amongst the most vital of their whole address. As a matter of fact, even their ascendance to the stage, the precise act of surfacing from the floor, or their seat on the platform is just as vital.

We only get one opportunity at a first impression. One chance at that critical impact that makes us unforgettable to an audience.

Audiences seem to have this perceptive on/off switch planted in their minds that is triggered instantly when the speaker is presented. Within seconds it sways one way or the other: I like this speaker, or I do not!

And once activated it asks much, much more energy to modify the posture of that switch (if it can be managed at all) once the address is properly underway so the message is well-defined: get it correct first up!

It is always recommended to exhibit an impression of enthusiasm, liveliness instantly our cue is given.

Never, ever just linger up to the stage, with our face fixed on the floor and wander nonchalantly to the podium. Even worse is to, once having shuffled to the podium, spend ten seconds or so sorting out notes, correcting microphones, sipping water and in general doing all the things that should have been arranged well before.

This just strains a perception of a speaker that is confused, haphazard and in all probability, tiresome.

It is best to leap to our feet, move at a energizing pace to the platform or podium and then simply unfold our organized notes (if we are using notes) in one fluent movement while keeping eye contact on both our host and the audience.

Eye contact is so crucial even at this early stage of an speech so it is recommended to do everything possible to keep the audience attention on your eyes, not on the surroundings.

They are, even at this point, instinctively working out whether they will take heed to us, or not.

For this reason it is typically best to transport our notes in a matt black folder that is basically unseen to the audience while we are moving: not a cluster of loose, fluttering pages that give the appearance of a newspaper caught in a wind gust.

Once settled at the podium, depending on the event and the audience, enthusiastic energy and expectation can be produced by upholding an interested, roving eye contact with the audience for a couple of seconds, matched with suited body language, before speaking our first (very carefully selected) opening line.

Although it may seem forever, a well performed pause at this crucial instant of about 4-5 seconds will virtually have our attenders elevating out of their seats in anticipation. It's almost like blowing up a balloon right up to breaking point: the audience are almost holding their breath ready and waiting for the bang!

At this moment, for a few important moments, the world is our oyster.

The choice of our opening words, the first 5-10, is key to producing the life and energy that will either turbo charge or stall our whole speech.