Greeting Your Audience

You’re now standing in front of your audience. Before you begin your presentation, start by
greeting your audience, welcoming them to the event and introducing yourself.
1. Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone.
2. Welcome to [name of event].
Sample sentence: Welcome to our 3rd Annual Sales Leadership Conference.
3. First, let me introduce myself. I am [name] from [company].
Beginning Your Presentation
After you have given an introduction, you are ready to begin speaking about your topic. Use
these phrases to get started.
4. Let me start by giving you some background information.
Use this phrase to give your audience a brief overview of the topic you’ll be discussing. This is a
good way to give them an idea of what’s going on and to bring them up to date.
5. As you’re aware, …
If you’re bringing up a topic that your audience already knows about or is aware of, then you can
use this phrase to introduce this known topic.
Sample sentence: As you’re aware, the CEO of DHL Express has often said that globalization
is here to stay.
Transitioning to the Next Topic
Before you move on to your next point, be sure to make it clear to your audience that you’re
now starting a new topic. Let them know exactly what that new topic will be. The two phrases
below are very similar in meaning, and they can both be used for transitions.
6. Let’s move on to…
Sample sentence: Let’s move on to our second sales strategy.
7. Turning our attention now to…
Sample sentence: Turning our attention now to the results of our 2016 customer survey.
Providing More Details
Use these phrases to tell your audience that you’ll be giving them a more detailed explanation of
the topic. Both the words ‘expand’ and ‘elaborate’ mean to explain more fully.
8. I’d like to expand on…
Sample sentence: Now I’d like to expand on my point about increasing our market share.
9. Let me elaborate further.
Linking to Another Topic
When making reference to a point you made earlier, or to remind your audience about
something you said before, use these phrases to that link.
10. As I said at the beginning, …
This phrase lets you remind your audience about a point you made earlier. It can also be used
to emphasize a point or theme.
Sample sentence: As I said in the beginning, we’ll see an increase in profit if we follow these
five steps.
11. This relates to what I was saying earlier…
This phrase will help you make connections between ideas in your presentation. It shows that
two different ideas are connected.
Sample sentence: This relates to what I was saying earlier about increasing production to
meet the year-end demand.
12. This ties in with…
Sample sentence: This ties in with the way we’ve been doing business for the past 20 years.
Emphasizing a Point
Use these phrases to draw attention to an important point that you want your audience to note.
13. The significance of this is…
The word “significance'” is similar in meaning to “importance.”
Sample sentence: The significance of this is, if we complete this project on schedule, we’ll
have more people available to work on the next project.
14. This is important because…
Sample sentence: This is important because any marketing effort we put in now will help to
boost demand for our products in the long run.
15. We have to remember that …
Sample sentence: We have to remember that people are our most important resource.
Making Reference to Information
Very often, you may need to support your discussion points by drawing attention and making
reference to information and data from studies, reports and other sources.
16. Based on our findings, …
Sample sentence: Based on our findings, 74% of our market is made up of teenagers who
find our clothing line stylish and upbeat.
17. According to our study, …
Sample sentence: According to our study, 63% of working people in this city go directly to the
gym after work.
18. Our data shows …
Sample sentence: Our data shows that more than 23% of men in this town who used to drive
to work now prefer to save money and the environment by cycling instead.
Explaining Visuals
To present a clearer picture of your point, you may show your data, information or examples in
the form of visuals such as charts, tables and graphs.
19. I’d like to illustrate this point by showing you…
The word “illustrate” means “show,” usually with examples, data or visuals.
Sample sentence: I’d like to illustrate this point by showing you a chart of the number of
people in each age group who prefer to shop online.
20. This chart shows a breakdown of …
A “breakdown” refers to the detailed parts or figures that make up the total picture. A breakdown
is often used in a presentation to show all the smaller parts behind something bigger.
Sample sentence: This chart shows a breakdown of the ingredients we use in our gluten-free
products.
Restating Your Point
Sometimes in order to emphasize your point, you have to state it in a way that’s easier for your
audience to understand and remember. This often involves rephrasing, simplifying or clarifying
your point.
21. In other words, …
Use this phrase to rephrase or reword your point in another way.
Sample sentence: In other words, we need to change our current design to make it more
attractive to older children.
22. To put it simply, …
Use this phrase to simplify points that are complex or difficult to understand.
Sample sentence: To put it simply, we’ll need you to work harder at making this launch a
success.
23. What I mean to say is …
Use this phrase to explain your point in a way that’s easier for your audience to understand.
Sample sentence: What I mean to say is that we need to change the way we market our
products.
Concluding Your Presentation
This is the very end of the presentation. You have said everything you need to say, and now
you need to finish it nicely. You may also have some time for questions. If there is time for
questions, invite your audience to ask any questions they have.
24. In conclusion, let me sum up my main points.
As part of your closing statement, “sum up” (summarize, state briefly) your speech by
mentioning the main points of your speech.
25. Thank you for your attention. Now I am happy to answer any questions you might
have.
End your presentation by thanking your audience and offering to answer their questions.