THE VOICE ROOM™ PODCAST

00:01 Welcome to the Voice Room Podcast, Singapore's one and only podcast dedicated to the power of voice, speech and presence. Whether you're listening in Singapore or from other parts of the world, we're so glad you're here. And now here's your host, the voice and communication expert, Carina Tien.

00:28 Hello there! Welcome back to the Voice Room Podcast. I am Carina, your voice, speech, and presentation coach.

00:31 Today, we are getting straight into something super practical that every speaker needs to know: how to keep your audience hooked in the first 30 seconds. Yes, you heard it right! Just 30 seconds! That's all the time you have to grab attention before people mentally check out.

00:57 Research says our attention spans are now officially shorter than a goldfish's—about 8 seconds. Brutal, right? But it’s totally workable if you know how to do it. Those first 30 seconds can work like magic.

01:54 Your opening is the vibe-setter it’s the moment when your audience decides if they are paying attention. Think of it like the first line of a book—if it doesn’t grab you, you close the book.

02:23 When people hear you speak, they are subconsciously asking:

1. Do I care about this?
2. Is this person worth my time?
3. Is this going to be boring?

02:52 The first line matters more than you think. You don't need a deep life-changing quote just say something that makes people perk up. Something real and relatable. For example, ask, "Do you think the first 30 seconds of your presentation could make or break it?"

03:21 Questions like these make people lean in because they challenge them. Or share a surprising fact, like, "Did you know our attention span is now shorter than a goldfish?" This instantly engages your audience.

03:49 If you want to hook someone fast, tell a short story. I once watched a TED talk where the speaker opened with, "I'm really nervous about this talk." This didn't set the right tone and caused him to lose the crowd.

04:16 Your opening story should pull people in, not push them away. Keep it short, clear, and emotionally resonant.

04:44 Many people think they need to sound flawless from the first word, but confidence is what truly matters. If you sound sure of what you're talking about, even with a few mistakes, your audience will stay engaged.

05:12 I love this quote from Julian Treasure: "Confidence is speaking slowly and clearly." Take your time and own your message—it's about connecting, not being perfect.

05:41 Voice modulation is key. Change your pace, emphasize certain words, and add a bit of drama, especially in storytelling. These little shifts keep people's brains engaged.

06:11 Don’t just drop your hook and walk away. Give them a reason to keep listening. For example, say, "After the first 30 seconds, that’s where the real magic happens. I’ll tell you how in just a second." This opens a loop, and our brains love loops that need closing.

06:41 To recap: start with a hook that grabs attention, share a quick story that connects, speak with confidence, and use your voice effectively. Those first 30 seconds are your window.

07:38 You can master this skill with a little practice. What’s your favorite way to hook an audience? Or do you have a speaker who nails their openings every time? Share with me on Instagram at The Voice Room.

08:02 Thank you for hanging out with me on The Voice Room Podcast. Keep speaking and owning your voice. You've got this!

References & Resources from This Episode:

How to Speak So That People Want to Listen -Julian Treasure

(https://www.ted.com/talks/julian_treasure_how_to_speak_so_that_people_want_to_listen)

If you’re in Singapore and looking for expert voice and speech training, explore our voice training Singapore and voice and speech training Singapore services.

Want to hear these tips in action? Listen to the full episode of The Voice Room Podcast — “How to Keep an Audience Hooked in 30 Seconds.”

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