8 Killer Openings for Your Next Speech episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 5, 2026 · 9 MIN

8 Killer Openings for Your Next Speech

from SPEAK LIKE A CEO · host Oliver Aust

The first sentence of your speech is doing more work than the next twenty. Don't leave it to chance — your opening should be the last thing you improvise, and the first thing you plan. This episode covers the four jobs of every successful opening and eight killer openings that do them all. Learn which one to reach for in which room, so you can grab your audience's attention from the very first second. Download Oliver's 100 Cheat Sheets for killer openings: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/100-cheat-sheets ⏰Timestamps (00:00) Introduction (01:17) Why First Words Stick (01:42) The Four Jobs (02:15) Script Only This (02:32) Positive or Negative (04:03) The Ice Cream Cone (04:24) The Sledgehammer (04:57) The Riddle (05:23) Startling Statistic (05:55) Historical Reference (06:18) The Vision (06:34) The Story (06:59) Personal Revelation (07:54) Which Opening To Pick 🎧More Episodes Like This • 316: Surrounded by Idiots w/ Thomas Erikson  https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YFSr9PbPZlFQJAUpebogU • 315: Nir Eyal NYT Best Seller https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MjPtegbC6wSmLWG6Nqjvy • 308: Confidence on Command https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tTFZKF5RA1gWDZvJzSpl9 🔗LinkedIn Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-aust/ 📩Newsletter Host: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/profile 📚Resources • 21 Storytelling Frameworks: https://eo-ipso-comms.kit.com/21-storytelling-frameworks-with-oliver • Become a Presentation Genius (Free Course): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJloFeNwBg • Speak Like a CEO Academy: https://www.speaklikeaceo.academy/ 📧 Email: [email protected] 🙌 This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique

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