You are about to attend an event, and your boss asks you to “Get up on stage and tell the audience all about us.”

Ooh boy.

Foxie knows that most event opening speeches are about as exciting as watching grass grow. “Hi everyone, thanks for coming, my name is_____” and just like that, people pull out their phones and start scrolling.

You lost them before you even told them anything.

In today’s distraction-filled world, you have about five seconds to win your audience…so let’s make them count.

Here are five (that number keeps popping up) ways to grab your audience’s attention right away:

1. Tell a story – Skip the boring intro and dive into something memorable. A relatable story pulls people in fast and keeps them engaged…like a trailer on Netflix, but without the “Skip Intro” button.
2. Ask a question – Wake up the room by making people think. A well-placed question instantly transforms your audience from passive listeners to active participants.
3. Startle them – Make a bold statement, share a surprising stat, or a quick laugh. Anything unexpected helps bring your audience to life.
4. Don’t read from a script – Work from a brief outline so you can maintain eye contact and build trust. Reading word-for-word from a script breaks the connection faster than bad Wi-Fi.
5. Move purposefully – Don’t just stand behind the podium…walk back and forth to cover the entire stage and engage all audience members. Use hand gestures to emphasize key points. Confidence in your movements builds confidence in your message.

This is where LinkMy.Events really shines. From sending pre-event reminders that build anticipation to sharing real-time updates during your session, it keeps your audience informed and engaged…without overwhelming them. Everything is streamlined, organized, and easy to manage.

At the end of the day, a strong opening sets the tone for everything that follows. So, ditch the dull, bring the energy, and give your audience a reason to stay focused and tuned in.

When you are ready to simplify all your event planning needs, text “EVENT” to Foxie at 36943, email us at LinkMy.Events@foxie.com or if you prefer to speak with a human, call us at 866-BE-ENGAGED (866-233-6424).