Picture this scenario. You’re speaking about how to earn $3 million in 3 months. Your audience hangs on every word you say.

Unfortunately you’re probably speaking about less wild (and more believable) content.

Given our 24/7 buffet of info deluging you, use this 3-word phrase to keep your listeners from grabbing their phones.

🥁 Drum roll

Hint: you’ve already read those 3 words in this current blog.

“Picture this scenario…”

In John Bowe’s CNBC article, “Highly engaging people use this 3-word phrase to get people to listen” he offers that this phrase “engages attention, evokes curiosity, and invites your listeners into a shared mental space where they can feel and experience what you’re talking about.”

• Picture: It’s a direct command.
• This: Anchors the story in the present moment.
• Scenario: Previews there’s a story to tell.

To Bowe’s point, you’ve heard me say many times that a compelling presentation is never just about the data.

Other Attention-grabbing openers

Bowe provides more great intro phrases.

1. “What if you…”
2. “Imagine yourself…”
3. “Think of the last time you”
4. “Have you ever found yourself…”

What do all these phrases have in common? The word “you”.

By using the word “you” YOU are being inclusive.

We don’t care about your topic as much as we care about how we see ourselves involved with your topic!

Works in any industry

• Pitching a start-up? Don’t explain what it is upfront. Walk your audience through the user experience.
• Selling a product? Don’t tell us features and functions. Talk about how it makes the buyer feel.
• Proposing a new strategy? Stop giving too much details and rationale. Describe how the team will gain on a daily basis.

Your attention span, and your listener’s attention span are shrinking by the day! Use these openers to keep your team engaged.

photo taken by Karen at Nordstrom in Manhattan. (Nordstrom wants you to say “yes” and buy everything.)