The 20-Second Rule

“You have 20 seconds to increase my heart rate.”

I read this statement in a document entitled Revealed: The 6 Laws of Successful Pitching by the Archaeus Organisation.

What does this mean?

When entrepreneurs pitch to investors, they have 20 seconds to excite them—to make them want to hear more. If the investor’s heart rate hasn’t increased by the 20-second mark, the entrepreneur isn’t getting the money.

This mantra applies to any presentation opening: quickly hook people to listen.

Since this month’s blog focuses on hooking audiences – particularly for kick-off meetings – today’s post offers practical techniques to do exactly that.