How to Start a Speech Like a TEDx Speaker: The 4-Second Rule That Changes Everything

Stop giving away your power in the first 30 seconds. Here’s the public speaking coaching advice that separates forgettable speakers from standing-ovation TEDx legends.

Let’s talk about the most wasted moment in public speaking.

It’s not the middle.
It’s not the Q&A.
It’s the entrance.

As a public speaking coach and TEDx speaker director, I’ve seen it happen a thousand times: Someone gets handed the mic, walks on stage… and immediately gives away all their power.

They fidget.
They pace.
They fill the silence with apologies or awkward “Hi everyone” energy.

They lose the room before they even begin.

And I want to yell “CUT!” like a director watching their star miss the most important cue.

Because here’s the thing most people don’t realize:
🎤 The moment you step on stage is the most powerful moment you’ll ever have.

You’ve got:

• Every eye in the room on you
• Complete attention (yes, even from the guy scrolling LinkedIn)
• The power of anticipation
• A room full of people secretly hoping you’ll be brilliant

And most speakers?
They squander it like it's spare change.

🎯 Your New Rule: Enter. Plant. Connect. Power.

If you want to know how to start a speech that actually lands — whether it’s a TEDx talk, a keynote, or a team meeting — this is the public speaking coaching mantra you need:

1. Enter

Don’t stroll. Don’t shuffle. Don’t saunter.
Walk out with the intention of owning the space. This is your stage. Treat it like it matters.

2. Plant

Find your spot. Usually center stage, one-third back.
No fidgeting. No swaying. No nervous footwork.
Plant like you’re growing roots into the stage.

3. Connect

Take a beat. Breathe. Look at a few faces in the room.
Yes, before you say a single word.
Let them feel seen. Let yourself settle.

4. Power

Now speak. Not casually. Not nervously.
Speak with conviction. With clarity. With presence.
Let your first line be a declaration, not a question mark.

🚫 What NOT to do:

• Don’t immediately start pacing like you’re trying to hit your 10,000 steps
• Don’t fidget with your hands, your clicker, or your clothes
• Don’t rush to fill the silence with “Ums” or “So…”
• Don’t look down — your audience is in front of you, not in your shoes

🎥 Homework from Your Public Speaking Coach:

Want to see what your current entrance is saying about you?

1. Film yourself walking into a room and starting a speech
2. Watch it with the sound off
3. Ask yourself: Would I trust this person with my attention?
4. Rehearse your Enter–Plant–Connect–Power sequence until it’s muscle memory

Because your first 30 seconds aren’t just about starting a speech.
They’re about claiming your authority.

💬 Final Take:

The next time you’re sitting in the audience, watch how speakers enter.
You’ll see the difference.
Some people walk in with power. Others leak it before they even speak.

Decide which one you want to be.

📚 Ready for More?

If this lit something up inside you, you’ll love my book Make a Scene — a masterclass in storytelling, stage presence, and becoming an unforgettable speaker.

It’s not a list of tips. It’s a director’s manual for owning your moment.
Your voice. Your story. Your scene.

🎭 Because you’re not here to give a speech.
You’re here to make a scene.

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