Speech Openings: A Speaking Tip

Speech Openings: A Speaking Tip by

You've likely heard speech openings that start with, "Hello everyone, But, what's the effect of this speech opening? I would argue it has two effects, and both negative. First, by trying to address everyone, the speaker addresses no one. And, if members of the audience don't feel they're being addressed personally, they likely feel less of a connection with the speaker than they would otherwise.

When you address a group this way, it implies you see a featureless group, rather than a gathering of individuals. "Hello everyone," and "Thanks everyone," and their variations depersonalize the audience. For those of us in the audience, it seems to suggest you're speaking past us, to some unknown at the back of the venue.

The same audience response is true, to some extent, of the phrase "Ladies and gentlemen" although its long history implies formalism rather than depersonalization.

You might well object, though, that many speakers and entertainers use the speech opening phrase, "Ladies and gentlemen,". And, you'd be right. They do. Talk-show host, David Letterman, for example, often prefaces his jokes or anecdotes with the phrase. In that case, the phrase is likely not a bad habit; it's probably done intentionally. By using "Ladies and gentlemen," he adopts a formalism that contrasts very effectively with his off-the-wall style of humor. That contrast makes the jokes funnier.

Similarly, some very good public speakers also use this speech opening intentionally. Once more, the idea is to sound formal, but now it's used to provide emphasis, rather than contrast. Prefacing a key point with the "Ladies and gentlemen," adds weight to the words to come and makes them stand out from other sections of the speech.

Finally, some speakers and entertainers use the phrase unintentionally, through habit or misguided advice. They haven't enjoyed good, detailed critiques that would expose the usage.

While I can find reasons to use "Ladies and gentlemen," I can't find one for "Hello everyone," or "Thanks everyone," Both speech openings depersonalize the audience, which lessens the effectiveness of a speech or presentation.

And what, you might ask, should we do instead? Whether the setting is formal or informal, start by thinking of the audience as a collection of individual, and remind yourself that each person wants to be addressed personally. Keep in mind that old marketing acronym, WIIFM, "What's in it for me?" It's a way of reminding ourselves that every individual in an audience has his or her own wants and needs, starting with recognition of their existence.

And, that can be done quite simply. If you say simply "Hello," rather than "Hello everyone," makes it possible for each individual to assume that the greeting is being directed to them, and just them. The same applies to "Thank you," and other usages.

I also find it works well if you pause after saying a simple "Hello" and then make eye contact with a number of people in the audience. You don't have to make contact with everyone, but at least a few.

Summing up audience response to your speech openings, never address your audience as a monolithic group; always address it as a collection of individuals. Bottom line: avoid both "Ladies and gentlemen," and "Hello everyone," (and similar speech opening variations) unless you have good and specific reasons.

Robert F. Abbott is the author of the booklet, How to Craft a Communication Strategy, and he's written hundreds of articles on business communication. For more free presentation and speaking tips articles, visit Speaking Tips at the Communicate-with-Confidence.com website.

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